Love you,
Kate
26
Kate
Everything was happening so fast.So many ups and downs in twenty-four hours. I had needed to sit and process. With a cocktail. Even though I rarely drank, it felt appropriate.
I should probably be thinking about my breakup with Pete and his alarming texts, but in fact, I was rereading my last email to RC, wondering if I sounded obnoxious. I hadn’t mentioned the time spent with Charlie Downing. Maybe because it still felt so unbelievable that I had an amazing lunch with him. But also, maybe because I felt weird talking to RC about it. Like I was cheating. And wasn’t that ridiculous. My attraction to RC had been instant too, just like this, but not on a physical level. When I was around Charlie, my body was drawn to him. I found any excuse to touch him or lean into his space just to share the same air. At first, I told myself I was just projecting my lifetime crush. But after lunch today, there was no denying that we clicked. He was funny and modest, vulnerable, and open. He was a squishy little teddy bear wrapped up in muscles and grunts.
Was the chemistry as real to him too? I guess it didn’t matter. In just a few days, I would be home and maybe have a literary agent. I kicked my feet excitedly.
I sighed, refreshing my email, wondering if RC was still awake.
“What can I get you?” the bartender asked, causing me to look up. I was about to ask for water when I noticed a man at my side and realized the bartender had been addressing him. Goose bumps prickled down my neck.
I slapped my phone facedown. And straightened.
Charlie Downing was here. At my hotel. Standing close enough that his fancy cologne filled my senses as my cheeks warmed.
Had I willed Charlie Downing into appearing? Did I have superpowers? Was this really happening or just an alcohol-fueled daydream?
The bartender looked at Charlie expectantly, ready to take our drink orders. Definitely real. Heh. Therealreal Charlie wasreallyreally here. RC would like that.
“I’m okay. Just here to—” Charlie tilted his head toward me.
The bartender nodded, slapping the bar before walking away. I slowly turned on my stool to face him. I would just act cool and sober, and he would never know I was crushing so hard on him. “Hello. Mr. Downing. How are you this evening?”
“Hi, Kate.” He grinned, head tilted. “I thought we were on a first-name basis at this point?”
I nodded but felt myself tipping. Charlie chuckled as he straightened me. I really wasn’t that drunk, but I was beyond exhausted after the last two days.
“Must be these chairs,” I explained. “They’re wobbly. We should tell somebody so no one gets hurt.”
“Doing okay?” he asked, and his hand remained on the back of my chair. I looked all the way up, up, up, and smiled at him. “Yup. I am A-OK.”
“You seem a little drunk.” He leaned in to whisper, his breath teasing my skin. I didn’t shudder in pleasure, but I did feel goose bumps tickle down my neck.
I leaned in too, conspiratorially. “Maybe just a bittle luzzed.” Wait, that wasn’t right. I frowned, then tried again. “A. Little. Buzzed.”
“Why don’t you have some water?” he asked.
I shrugged. “I’m actually only on my second drink.”
“Ah, a lightweight.” He sat down next to me and spun me until my feet were on his stool, his own massive leg blocking me in. His head turned to scowl at someone, but when I followed his gaze, I only saw a man in a business suit, reading on his phone.
“I don’t really drink often. Mostly, I’m exhausted. I hardly slept because, you know.”
“Your row with Pete?”
“Yeah. And then before that, I was so worked up about coming here. Basically, I’m tired.”
“I get that,” he said.
I sat up and realized we were at a freaking bar. Bottles of liquid temptation all around. “You don’t need to be here. I’m fine,” I said.
“I don’t mind the company,” he said, making no move to go. When he held my gaze a fraction too long, he added, “I’m just waiting for Harrison and Emma to wrap up.”
