AllFreeNovel
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I grab a throw pillow and shove it under my head, trying to get more comfortable. Couches have always been tight for the two of us to lay on, but I'm bigger now. Bulkier and I take up a lot more room.
Without saying a word, Charlie grabs the arm I'm leaning on and tugs it out straight so she can use it as a pillow. She presses her body into mine and then tugs the arm she’s laying on down so she can slip her hand into mine. This is how she always used to lay with me.
Charlie puts on a show I’ve never seen before and after a few minutes, I drape my arm over her stomach and tug her more tightly against me. The last thing I want is for her to fall off the couch.
She brings our joined hands to her mouth and presses a soft kiss to my wrist. Then she lets out a sigh and my eyes drift closed. I wasn’t tired when we were outside, but having her in my arms isrelaxing me and quieting my brain enough for sleep to welcome me with open arms.
“Damn, I never thought I’d see this again,” a low voice rumbles.
I blink my eyes open and stare up at a smirking Wes. He has a cup of coffee in one hand and the other is slipped into the front pocket of his jeans.
“What time is it?” I murmur, trying to stretch, but Charlie’s basically lying on top of me.
“Almost eight. What time do the two of you have to be at work?”
“Eight-thirty,” I groan as I scrub a hand down my face.
“You might wanna get up then.” He chuckles as he leaves the room.
We still haven’t had that talk Wes requested, but he said it wasn’t an emergency and whenever I was free, to come find him. I’ve been pushing it off because I'm not sure I want to talk to him. There’s no telling what he wants to say, but typically when Wes wants to speak to you privately, it doesn’t end well.
“Sweetheart, we need to get up. We have thirty minutes to get to work.” I gently shake her shoulder and am shocked when her eyes fly open and she jumps off the couch. Charlie was always slow to wake up. Normally it took her at least twenty minutes to get out of bed.
“No! No, no, no. I can't be late on my first week.”
“You’re not going to be. Get dressed and I’ll run next door to steal some of my dad’s clothes. I’ll be ready in five minutes. I’ll drive so you can finish getting ready in the car.”
“Ok.” She races up the stairs and down the hall to her room. I chuckle at the scene. She doesn’t seem like the professional physical therapist anymore. This version of her looks an awful lot like the teenager I fell in love with.
I push open the door to my childhood home and groan when I find Dad sitting at the table with a huge smirk on his face.
“Still trying to sneak in sleepovers with Charlie Robinson, I see.” He lifts his coffee to his lips and takes a long sip. “Some things never change, huh?”
“We were watching a movie and fell asleep.” I roll my eyes.
“What movie?”
“No clue. I was asleep.”
“How many times have we had this exact conversation over the years?” He chuckles and shakes his head. “I swear, Wes and I should just arrange your marriage and force the two of you to go through with it.”
“Yeah, I'm sure Charlie would jump at the chance. Can I borrow clothes? I have to be at work in twenty.”
“What do you need?” He rises from his chair and motions for me to follow him to his room.
“Athletic shorts and a t-shirt.”
“Is it allowed to have sleeves or does that cover up too much of your arm candy?” I can hear the eye roll in his voice, even if I can't see it.
“What?”
“Your arm candy. Man, don’t you read any of the comments women make about you online?” He chuckles and shakes his head.
“No. I stay away from it like the plague. I pay people to read it for me and tell me if I need to worry.”
“Right, Mr. Big Bucks.” He grins, knowing I hate when people comment on the money I make playing a game for a living.
“Sleeveless if possible. It’s easier to move around in,” I grumble under my breath.
