“Sure, sure. Distract me with flattery,” I joked through a blush. “Go on.”
“I’m serious. You handled it all very well.” He leaned forward, both our plates had been taken, and I didn’t even remember anybody coming by.
“The cameras take some getting used to,” I said. “But, surely, you’re used to them by now?”
“True.” He sighed and took off his hat to scrub at his short-cropped hair. I, professionally, took a moment to admire the hard work of his personal trainer. “I guess. I’m worried I’ll flub it all up somehow. I’ll say the wrong thing. Again.”
“Again?” I asked.
“There were a lot of years, I’m sure you saw, where I was an absolute prat. But honestly people knew my temper and they worked me up. They would call me ‘Chubby Chucky’ or ‘Freddy Stinks,’ literally to my face. They were more cruel than high school bullies.”
I shook my head. “How awful. You were a child.”
“Yeah, I was.” He frowned like it hadn’t occurred to him. “I was just a kid for so much of it.” His gaze went unfocused as he looked over my shoulder, a furrow in his brow. With a shake of his head, he brought himself back. “But I shouldn’t have let them goad me. I can’t even think about it. All the times I embarrassed Emma and Harrison.” He winced. “I honestly hadn’t even wanted to be a part of this reunion.”
“Because you were worried about embarrassing your friends?” I asked.
He opened his mouth and then closed it again. After a moment, he said, “I guess, yeah. I hadn’t thought about it like that. But I always feel like I’m one stupid move from being splashed all over the headlines again.”
I couldn’t believe how open he was with me. I felt incredibly honored to even be here with him, let alone see this genuine side that few did. I wondered if his own friends knew this.
“I suspect, and I hope I’m not crossing any lines, that your two best friends were there for you during the worst.” When he nodded, I went on. “I don’t think that that level of commitment goes away with just a little bit of foot-in-mouthitis. Not after all these years. I hope not or I’m in trouble.” I widened my eyes comically.
He smiled so deep, both dimples appeared. Thank goodness I was sitting down because I would have been blasted across the room.
“I suppose you’re right,” he said.
“You wouldn’t stop caring about them, just because they made a mistake or two, would you?” I asked.
“Never,” he said adamantly. “Those two … I can’t really explain how … It’s always been the three of us.” He stopped speaking and swallowed as he glanced away. When he looked back, he’d collected himself. “Okay, that definitely felt like more than two questions.”
“You’re right.” I shrugged innocently.
“Well, since you know all my secrets, why don’t you tell me about why you and Pete broke up?” he asked.
I stilled. Something about the way he phrased that. It felt so familiar. This whole conversation had a natural ease that two complete strangers shouldn’t have. And yet …
“Oh. Pete. We really weren’t compatible. We weren’t a good fit. I guess I was just lonely, and it felt like settling down was a natural progression. And he was there. And he seemed interested.”
Charlie flinched visibly.
“Wow, that sounded far more pathetic out loud. Yeesh.” I tried to joke it off, but he didn’t smile.
“I think a lot of people stay in bad relationships for far worse reasons. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” He reached out and squeezed my hand. I was startlingly reactive to his touch. A small gesture shouldn’t send chills down my arms. I wondered what would happen if I held on to him. Totally wouldn’t be weird.
“Anyway.” He gently pulled his arm back to his side of the table. “Thanks for going to lunch with me.”
“Gosh, you sure owe me. What a chore,” I said. We shared a smile. Look at me, just sharing smiles with my childhood celebrity crush like it ain’t no thang.
“I was a grumpy bugger back there. These types of specials tend to go for what’s going to get the greatest number of viewers. And unfortunately, they also seem to have a sixth sense about what I’m most, uh, sensitive about.” He shifted in the seat. His large frame making the metal chair seem flimsy.
“I’m sorry,” I said honestly.
“I prefer to keep interviews light and surface level.”
“Totally,” I said. “I’ll follow your lead when we get back.”
He cleared his throat again. “I like talking to you, uh, face-to-face, better anyway.” He flicked a glance at me, gauging my reaction.
