Page 600 of Tease Me


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“I’m sorry. What?”

“Your dad and I did see you kissing her in the alley, Charlie,” she reminded him.

The game up, Charlie slumped forward and rested his elbows on the counter. His mom tossed her things into her purse and found her phone from the depths of it.

“Oh man.” He sighed. “I really like her, Mom.”

“I know you do.”

“She’s got a lot—She doesn’t trust me.”

“Maybe a little.” His mom smoothed his hair back from his face. “She was glowing, Charlie. Not just from good sex. The light was coming from here.”

Charlie glanced at her when she rested her hand on her chest.

“I don’t want to hurt her.”

“Then don’t.” She shrugged. “Just be you.”

“Did she…” He coughed, feeling like an idiot, talking to his mom about this. “Did she say anything?”

“No. But she wore a smile today. I don’t see that often.”

He didn’t, either, and knowing his mom had noticed the difference made him feel good.

“I texted her to see if she wanted to do something tonight. She hasn’t answered me.”

“She and Everleigh went out for nachos.” His mom looped her purse strap over her shoulder. “She needs that just as much as she needs what you give her.”

He was disappointed that he wouldn’t get to see her, but he knew his mom was right. Tatum needed a friend.

“Has she ever told you about her sister?”

“No. I hope she will one day, but for now, she has you. And you have big shoulders.”

Charlie grinned and flexed his arms. “She likes my shoulders. She likes—”

“Invite her to Joy’s party,” his mom interrupted him with a sharp look. “I think the more she’s around the family, the easier it will be for her to settle.”

Charlie snorted. “Yeah, except for Sev.”

“Get.” She nodded at the door. “I gotta lock up, and you need a shower.”

“I do?”

His mom rolled her eyes. “Well, yeah, you do. I’m thinking she won’t be planning to sleep with Everleigh, so you might see her later.”

26

Tatum was still on edge about the baggage she was dragging behind her, still worried about Bryony, still afraid Sutton would find the worst time to show up and mess things up with her and Charlie, but she found herself enjoying life. She and Everleigh had a string of texts a mile long after grabbing nachos the night after she slept with Charlie.

And they did. Sleep. They’d taken plenty of time to explore each other’s bodies, and they’d talked, and when her confessions hadn’t made Charlie run, she’d curled up in his arms and slept for a while before he left. It would have made more sense for him to stay as late as it was when he left, but Charlie had slipped out of bed after two in the morning, dressed quietly, and kissed her goodbye with a promise to see her later.

She’d told Everleigh that, shared her concerns, her fears with her. Tatum had even told her about Sutton. She didn’t go into the same level of details she’d shared with Charlie. But it felt good to talk to Everleigh about everything. Everleigh believed Charlie had left to give her a little space, and Tatum agreed with that. But she quickly decided she didn’t want space. She wanted to be with him.

They were dating, she guessed. They’d been together every night since they’d slept together the second time. Charlie was different than Shaun, though. He didn’t need the crazy activities to get his adrenaline going. She doubted he would say no if she mentioned going to Grafton, Illinois to zipline. But he wasn’t constantly chasing the next thrill, either. He liked the simple things like miniature golf and bike rides. Tatum had been floored when he asked her if she had a bike. She’d wheeled hers out of the tiny spare room in her apartment that was too small for anything other than storage—although, she’d happily make it work for Bryony if Sutton ever came to her senses.

He held her hand around his family. Kissed her now and then. But he never pushed for those deep, possessive kisses unless they were alone. He teased her, flirted openly, though it made her feel more comfortable, like she was one of them.

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