Page 36 of One More Chance
“Need any company?” Freddie ‘whispered’ to Lauren, loud enough for everyone at the table to hear.
“I’m flattered,” Lauren smiled, “but no, I’m going to call a cab.”
“Your loss, Lala.” Freddie threw a twenty on the table. “Logan, looks like we’re in for a romantic walk home.”
Logan glanced at Charlotte and caught her eyes dart away from him for the millionth time that night. He needed to be alone with her. His mind raced, trying to figure out how he could get her alone so they could finish their conversation. Other than paying Lauren to go home with Freddie, he was short of ideas. Their talk would have to wait until the next time they were alone together. His heart sank as he realized that unless he did something, the next time they would be together was the rehearsal dinner for the wedding, a month from now. He couldn’t wait.
“I’ll take care of Muriel,” Logan said and grabbed Freddie’s twenty from the table.
“Aww, thanks big guy.” Freddie smiled and held out his hand for Logan to return his twenty.
Logan grinned and pocketed the money. He swayed up to the kitchen cut-out and left two one-hundred-dollar bills under the metal spike of completed orders. “Bye, Muriel, thank you,” he shouted at the kitchen.
He turned and practically fell over Charlotte.
“I need to give you your sweater back,” she said and started to pull off the jersey.
“Oh no, you don’t. It’s freezing out there, and the Last Chance Tavern is closed. Your jacket will be held hostage there until tomorrow.”
Logan glanced around the room, “Oh no, where are Lauren and Freddie?”
“Don’t worry about those two. Lauren thinks he’s sweet, but she’s totally immune to his immature charm. They’re waiting for the taxi.”
Muriel shuffled out from the kitchen. “Have a good night, kids. I’ll lock up behind you.”
“After you,” Logan said, extending his arm toward the door.
They stepped out into a deep blanket of snow, heavy flakes dancing and swirling in the streetlight. The last time the two of them had stood in front of the diner, there was also a late spring blizzard. Their running shoes and school backpacks were replaced with expensive shoes, even more expensive watches, and a fair dose of alcohol, but the feeling was the same.
Logan wondered if Charlotte remembered that night, it was the first time that they kissed.
As if to answer him, Charlotte turned to face him, “It feels we were just standing here yesterday.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Logan replied. He looked over Charlotte’s shoulder and saw Freddie and Lauren standing on the corner, waiting for the taxi to arrive. He smirked, Freddie was likely throwing a firestorm of his best pick up lines at a woman who was way too smart to fall for them.
“Charlotte, I didn’t get to finish in there.” Logan was thankful for the alcohol but still fought for the words. Fat snowflakes stuck to the long lashes of her big brown eyes as she stared up at him. Instead of talking, he reached his hand out to cradle the back of her neck. She gripped onto his wrist, and he caught it, along with the slight opening of her lips, and the miniscule tilt of her head as he pulled her face to his until their lips were a fraction of an inch apart. Their steamy breath mingled and danced in the space between their faces. He pressed his forehead to hers, the bridges of their noses rested on each other. Her hands trembled and the warmth of her breath tickled and teased his lips, but it wasn’t he who bridged the gap between them. Her lips met his and he answered. She flicked her tongue against his top lip, and he grabbed her face in both of his hands and kissed her hungrily. The kiss they shared in 2004 had been the best of his life. one that he never thought he’d top, until tonight. Her lips were just as soft as he remembered, but her body had changed. The girl he had known, Billie Jo, was gone, and in her place, was this hourglass-shaped, raven-haired woman named Charlotte.
“Whoo-hoo!” The shout was followed by a loud whistle. Charlotte and Logan’s second first kiss was interrupted by Freddie and Lauren hooting and hollering from down the street.
A taxi turned onto the main street, lighting up the heavily falling snow in its headlights.
“There’s your ride,” Logan whispered into her ear. He let one hand drop from her face and brushed the snow off her head but left his other resting protectively on her slender neck.
“I should go,” she whispered.
He didn’t want her to leave. He wanted to scoop her up in his arms and take her somewhere private. Shit, but take her where? Back to Freddie’s spare bedroom with the beer poster walls? She was more than that. They headed to the corner, hand in hand to meet up with the taxi.
“Charlotte, can I see you tomorrow? Just say yes.”
Lauren had already hopped into the taxi and the driver beeped out a friendly honk.
Charlotte stood in the open door of the taxi, and before she slid into the back of the car, paused to look at him, “Yes.”
“I’ll see you at six then.” He shut the door and tapped the taxi on its roof like they did in the movies. He stood in the street and watched the car drive away, its taillights disappeared in the dusting of snow.
“That was what, twenty years in the making?” Freddie slapped him on the back as the car disappeared.
“Fifteen, but who’s counting.” Logan suddenly felt the cold of the night and he shivered.
