“Duke is good, but his gift is not yours. I’ve watched you all your life. You’re the backbone for your sisters and brothers. When they need someone to inspire, to lift spirits, to encourage, to hold them up, to guide, they call you. You’re logical, so methodical in your approach that you don’t allow for your own feelings. As a result, when you do decide to follow your heart, it doesn’t feel right to you.”
I swallowed. “What if it isn’t the right time for Charlye?”
“Why do you think that?”
“She just got out of a relationship, not because she wanted to, but because he cheated on her.”
“And?” Mom argued. “She didn’t love him.”
I frowned. “Did she tell you that?”
“She didn’t have to.” Mom cleared her throat. “I’m quite capable of paying attention to cues myself. I taught you a thing or two.”
I laughed. My mother had a way of breaking a thing down to the simplest terms.
“I know you,” she continued. “You’ve never rushed into anything without a thought. I don’t believe you would’ve done everything you did for her yesterday and today if you didn’t consider everything.”
Resting my head against the seat, I blew out a deep breath. “I want her, Ma,” I admitted. “I’ve always wanted her. You know as well as I do that fact could’ve clouded my mind.”
“Did you talk to Charlye?”
“I did.”
“What did she say?”
“That she wanted to explore us.”
“Okay, then.”
“AfterI stayed with her,afterI supported her,afterI helped her in every way I could. Julia’s death was hard on her and the family. And I was there.”
Mom chuckled. “You’ve always been there. What makes this time different?”
I grumbled a curse. I didn’t have a good argument against my mother’s logic. So I didn’t even try to argue. “I don’t know.”
“Dex, trust Charlye to know what she wants. Most importantly, trust yourself. Don’t talk yourself out of being happy with the woman you love. Now, you better get going. No son of mine should ever let their lady carry her own luggage.”
The corners of my mouth tugged upward. “I know what to do, Ma.”
“I know you do, son. I love you. Have fun.”
When I ended the call, I made my way to baggage claim. Several minutes passed before I spotted Charlye descending on the escalator, so beautiful in dark ripped jeans and a simple white t-shirt. I made my way toward the escalator.
When she finally noticed me, she smiled. “Dex.” She approached me. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I stared into her eyes, torn between pulling her closer and pushing her away. “How was your flight?”
She beamed up at me. “Good.”
We stood there for a moment, looking at each other. Awkward and unsure had never been us. But that’s exactly how it felt. Well, howIfelt.
“Maybe we…”
“I think we…”
Charlye laughed nervously and gestured toward me. “Sorry. I had so many things I wanted to say when I saw you, but… Yeah, that was super awkward.”
I chuckled. “Very.”
