“Or how ‘bout this?” he demanded, getting in my face. “Your girl, she walks out of Jimmy’s with that friend of hers last night. What’s his name… Max?”
“Shut. Up.”
He refused to heed my warning. “How would you feel if you were lying in your bed last night, imagining them goin’ at it the way you two did—”
“I will kill you,” I said, closing my fist around his shirt. “I’m not even kidding right now, man. You need to shut your mouth.”
His look was smug, fearless, when he said, “Why do you think I came here today?”
“Because you want Charli to go on the road with you.”
He shook his head. “The girl’s got the chops, but I could tell last night that she wasn’t feelin’ it. I knew what her answer would be.” He took a step back. “I didn’t come here for her. I came here for you.” He shoved me playfully. “I love you like a brother. I want you to get your shit together before it’s too late. Don’t make the same mistake I did with Brook, man. Don’t assume you have all the time in the world to figure this thing out. That woman just might walk out on you and all the begging in the world won’t convince her to stay.”
I’d never begged a woman to stay. Never cared enough to want her to, but with Charli? I could see myself hitting my knees for that girl. Shit, what was I gonna do?
* * *
We’d been working in my office for hours when I asked Charli if she felt like sushi for dinner. Things had been strained since Reed left, I assumed because of our conversation before his arrival, and I wanted to make things right.
She looked up, chewing on the end of her pen. “Sorry, I can’t. I’ve got plans tonight.”
“Oh.” My heart sank. I knew I didn’t have the right to ask about her plans, but I couldn’t help myself. “A date?”
She smirked. “Yeah, with my favorite guy.”
“Your favorite guy?” Who the hell was herfavoriteguy and why hadn’t I heard about him when we were going at it like pro-creating was our job?
“My dad.”
My heartbeat returned to normal when she gave me agot youlook. “Have there been any reporters camped out at their house?”
“Nope.” She stretched her arms over her head, making her loose-fitting crop top rise to expose her flat stomach. “They say the coast is clear.” She bit her lip. “Which means I could probably go back home. Not that their place is home. But until I save up some money for a place of my own—”
“You’re welcome to stay in the guest house as long as you like, Charli. It’s probably easier that way anyhow, right? Saves you the commute into town twice a day.”And I really want you here.
“You’re sweet to offer, but I feel like I’m imposing. And you’ve already been so generous with the salary, car—”
“The thing is,” I said, swallowing the fear welling up in my throat. “You’re different. Every woman I’ve ever been with has expected things from me. You don’t. Which makes me want to do nice things for you.”
She tipped her head, studying me. “But I’m not your girlfriend or your wife. I’m your employee and—”
“And I’d like to think we’re becoming friends.” Even though we hadn’t known each other long, my connection with Charli was deep. I told her things I hadn’t told anyone about how fresh my wounds were.
“Sure we are.” She stood. “You can never have too many friends, right?”
I jumped up on impulse, reaching for her hand. “Damn it, I don’t wanna be your friend.” I stroked her cheek, watching her eyes drift closed. “I want to be your man.”
She let her head fall against my chest. “You don’t know what you want, Dade. You’re just like every other guy I’ve ever been with.” When she opened her eyes, they were filled with unshed tears, making my heart hurt. “I just want a guy who’s all in, who’s willing to fight for me. No matter how hard it is or how ugly it gets, I want a man who’ll go to battle for me. For us.” She shook her head. “You said it yourself, you’re too weary for another battle. And I’m tired of men who find it so easy to give up on me.” She tipped her head back, letting me see her tears fall.
“So you see, Dade, that’s why we’ll never work.”
Chapter 13
Charli
By the time I’d heard Dade’s name the tenth time I was seriously thinking about making a run for it. My mama just would not let up.
I sent a pleading look my father’s way, but he was too busy filling his face to notice.
