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“Hey. I have to work with her. Imagine last night and then walking in for your first day on the job and realizing your new boss is his mom.”
“Do you think he told anyone?”
“No.” Everleigh’s confident tone made Tatum feel a little better. Enough that she dropped her hands to her lap and lifted her chin to look at her friend again. “Now, if Sev found out, he’d be all over teasing you. But no. They don’t kiss and tell.”
Tatum sighed and nodded.
“But.” Everleigh shrugged. “Why would you want to keep it a secret?”
“I just don’t want to discuss my sex life in a coffee shop,” Tatum mumbled. “I don’t care how good it was.”
Everleigh tipped her head in agreement. “I meant just in general. You and Charlie.”
“Because I don’t know what me and Charlie are,” Tatum answered quietly. She reached for her mug and took a sip. “A few toe-curling orgasms doesn’t have to mean anything.”
“Tatum, you’ve been around this family enough to know better than that.”
“I come with baggage.” She put her mug down and turned her attention to her laptop again. “Not sure Charlie or his family deserve that.”
“But you must know he’s not gonna let you go that easily.”
“Yeah.” Tatum sighed again. “I know. I do. And I want to believe in that. But.”
“But what?”
“Everyone I’ve ever loved is gone. My parents. My sister. My ex.”
Everleigh flinched, but she surprised Tatum when she reached out and covered her hand with her own. “I can’t speak for Charlie. But I think you should give this a chance.”
Tatum nibbled on her lip.
“I gotta get back to work.” Everleigh stood and pushed the chair in. “Let’s go out tonight.”
“I don’t—”
“Pizza. Mexican.” Everleigh shrugged. “Girls’ night.”
“Sure.” Tatum nodded. “Sounds good.”
25
Charlie caught himself whistling again. He looked around, glad to see he was alone. While he would have no problem telling his brothers, his family, that he and Tatum were seeing each other, they hadn’t discussed it. And though they’d talked last night, and even though Charlie had promised Tatum he would stick around through the good times and the hard times, he knew she wasn’t ready for anything more than what they’d already shared.
Mal had given him a look earlier this morning. Didn’t call him out on the whistling, but judging from the look he gave Charlie, he knew something vital had changed. Thankfully, Mal was wrapped up in a serious relationship, so he kept his mouth shut. If it had been Sev, the kid would have jerked his chain all day about it.
Charlie couldn’t care less. He could handle his family’s teasing. But he wouldn’t do that to Tatum. He surveyed the mudded drywall one more time. Satisfied that it looked good, he pulled his phone from his pocket and wondered if he would be breaking unspoken rules if he texted her. She hadn’t made a fuss last night when he asked for her number. But she hadn’t gushed about it like she couldn’t wait for him to call or text, either.
He lifted his arm and rubbed his cheek on his sleeve. Summer was unfolding in Long Grove, and working in the add-on at 515 was hot and grueling. No matter what he did next, he needed a shower. Deciding he wanted to see Tatum, he texted her. Just a simple hello. He would go from there. Ask her if she had plans for the night. If not, he’d ask if she wanted to do something. Grab a pizza. Take a bike ride.
He tried to remember if he’d seen a bike in her apartment, but the times he’d been there, he hadn’t been too observant of anything but her. That thought put a smile on his face. Sex with Tatum was earth-shattering, and while Charlie didn’t think he’d ever had bad sex, he knew it was so good with her because he wanted so much more.
They’d talked this morning. She hadn’t been in the coffee house when he’d first gone in for a quick cup. Well, he’d gone in hoping to see her and then grab a cup. When she hadn’t been there, a wave of panic hit him so hard, he nearly fell backwards. Thankfully, she’d shown up about an hour later. No kissing in public, but she’d offered him a sweet, shy smile.
Slipping out of the restaurant add-on, Charlie ducked into the coffee house hoping to find his mom. He wouldn’t tell her anything, but he wanted to talk to her. Part of him wanted to feel her out, see what she thought of Tatum. But that was dangerous. His mother had a way of drawing the truth out of someone; no doubt, if he talked to her too long, he’d end up spilling the beans.
“Hi.”
Surprised to find his mom sitting at the counter, Charlie stopped short just inside the doorway and offered her a cautious smile. The situation brought to mind lectures and talking-tos from his teen years.
