AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Breathe.
I force myself to take a beat and stop spiraling into worst case scenario land: population me. I check my phone, I find a voicemail from Charlie. I tuck my knees up against my chest, smiling at the sound of his low voice as he tells me he’s going for a quick run.I might be back before you hear this, he says.Just wanted you to know.
That’s all I needed. He’s not panicking or pretending it didn’t happen. And I’m sure as hell not panicking. I feel like my own ray of sunshine, warm and relaxed.
I pull some fresh clothes out of my bag, since pajamas never happened last night, and gather my shower supplies. On the vintage side table, there are a few thoughtful guest items, including a custom, hand-drawn illustration of the grounds. I grab one of the fluffy towels and navigate to the showers, squinting in the early daylight. A few people are milling around, heading toward the breakfast buffet. I smile at this strange scene, where adult summer camp meets a film set for a period piece.
I’m expecting the showers to be a hose mounted on a wall, with all the charm of my freshman dorm bathroom. But they’re private and surprisingly pristine, with decent water pressure. I enjoy the hell out of my shower in that specifically after-great-sex way. I feel happily wiped out, but every nerve ending is alive and sparking.
When the thought pounces into my head—what did last night mean?—I wash it away with my favorite gardenia shampoo. There will be enough time for those questions. I’m not ruining the morning-after glow with analysis.
After my shower, Charlie’s waiting at the breakfast buffet with an open seat beside him.
I settle in beside him. “Well, hi there.”
“Morning,” he says. By now, I’m accustomed to Charlie Fox, polished to a shine in formalwear. So, seeing him in a soft T-shirt—with faint stubble and hair slightly mussed—feels blatantly erotic. How can he just sit here publicly, where anyone can see him? But maybe that’s because I’ve felt that stubble all over my body.I mussed that hair myself.“You wear glasses.”
My hand flies to the frames, self-consciousness rearing up. “Forgot to take my contacts out last night. Did you sleep okay?”
“I slept great.” God, I am such a mess for the way his eyes crinkle when he really smiles. “But I’m an early riser.”
“I’m amazed you had energy left to run,” I inform him, reaching for a croissant. “And a little offended. I thought I’d wiped you out.”
“You did.” He grins. “Guess I charged right back up.”
“Mmm.” I sink my teeth into a croissant, buttery and light as air. “Noted.”
Our eyes meet, and I wonder if we have time to drag him back to the tent for another go-round before we hit the road. It wouldn’t take long, I’m guessing, not with his wicked mouth and expert hands, and—
“Hey!” Poppy interrupts, settling across from us. Dylan is right behind her, and soon we’re all chatting about the wedding gossip and plans back in the city.
I feel more relaxed than I have in months. It’s so nice to have fun, easy conversation with new people. I spent three years with Miles and Nadia’s law school friends, mostly silent as they complained about professors I didn’t know and case files I’d never seen.
“Have you seen the other guys?” Charlie asks with a yawn.
Dylan chuckles. “I ran into Austin sneaking out of some girl’s tent. I think Flynn and Dash are still otherwise occupied.”
Poppy meets my eyes. “Seems like everyone had a good time,” she says with a grin.
I blush. But she’s not wrong.
“Well,” Dylan says. “We should get back.”
Poppy nods, a bit regretfully. “I need to tie up loose ends with work before my family starts arriving in town.”
“That’s right,” I realize. “It’s your wedding soon!”
“And consider this your official invitation,” Poppy tells me. And before I can assure her I’ll be there, she glares at Charlie. “Not as his fake plus-one. I am personally invitingyou. Come with or without Charlie.”
“Thanks a lot,” Charlie deadpans, and I laugh, patting his leg.
“It’s going to be fun,” Dylan says. He does the bro hug with Charlie and then hugs me too. “See you there!”
They’ve only been gone for a moment when Charlie gives me a smoldering look. “We should probably get packed up too. In our tent. Right now.”
“You’re right.” I bounce to my feet, and the two of us practically sprint back across the campgrounds—only to find the faire staff are already dismantling the campsite. Dammit, too slow!
“I guess this means we should hit the road, too,” Charlie says, looking reluctant.
