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That’s when I realize everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve become to each other has led us to here and now.
He won’t hurt me.
He’s not Jim.
Chapter 23
Charlie B
“When I hold her, my heart comes to life, sparking into fireworks that are bigger than the two of us. Our souls bond together, sending us straight into the stratosphere. The world holds endless possibilities, the universe is our playground. Our hearts remain captivated by the other as we take this journey together,” he whispers into my ear.
My knees start to buckle from the feel of his breath along my neck. Goose bumps cover me, undermining any willpower I have while listening to his seductive words.
“I wrote that today,” he says, his fingers splayed on my lower back, rubbing with gentle pressure.
“Charlie?” I run my hand over his heart.
A timer buzzes, startling us, and we stop dancing. He looks me in the eyes and says, “Hold that thought.”
He walks into the kitchen, and I get my wine, taking a sip and hoping to grab the moment we just had once more when he returns. My courage to tell him how I’m feeling is seeping away with each ticking second. Standing next to the couch where Veronica sits, I take a deep breath.
“It’s time, dear,” she says, encouraging me.
“Time?”
“Don’t waste any more time. You don’t know how long you’ve got.”
“I know you’re right,” I reply, “but I think I may need just a little more.” She purses her lips in reproach, so I start to justify myself, hating that she’s disappointed in me. “I don’t want to just throw all my emotions on him. He’s busy with his book. I don’t want to burden him right now, but I promise I’ll tell him soon.”
I think she sees right through me, but doesn’t call me out. Patting my leg, she says, “Just don’t take too long. Other women won’t.”
Doing a double take, I eye her as that thought settles itself in my head. Other women won’t? Other women won’t waste time? Other women will tell him how they feel? Other women will try to take him if I don’t tell him first and take him off the market? Other women will try to take him away from me. I place my hand over hers and whisper, “I’ll tell him this weekend. We always spend Saturday afternoon together. I’ll tell him then.”
“That’s my girl.” She smiles with full faith in me, and that makes me smile, too.
When he returns, he announces, “Dinner is served.” Our eyes meet, and he’s well aware that the moment has passed. He sighs then looks to Mrs. Lackey. “Hope you’re hungry.”
She stands, giving me a reaffirming smile. “I am.”
Chapter 24
Charlie A
The bell chimes above the door, and the standard friendly greeting is called out. “Welcome to The Bagelry.” I make my way up to the counter just as Tony looks up from loading the fresh baked goods into the display case and smiles. “Morning, Charlie. How’s it going?”
“I’m good.” I point at one of the bagels. “Onion today. How’s business?” I look around, and every table is full. “Booming, by the looks of it.”
He laughs as he drops the bagel into a brown bag. “No complaints. Coffee?”
“Yeah, the usual. Straight up.”
He turns around and pours the brew into a to-go cup. With his back to me, he asks, “Writing?”
“Some. Not as much as I should. My mind has been a bit preoccupied.”
“Tell me about her, or is this the same one you mentioned before?”
“One and the same.”
He sets the cup in front of me and leans on the counter, lowering his voice. “Bring her in sometime. I’d like to meet the girl who’s occupying all that headspace of yours.”
I slide the money across the counter, telling him to keep the change, but add, “It’s complicated—”
“If I had a dollar for every time I heard that. Listen, Charlie, life is complicated, but women, they’re more than complicated.” He should’ve been a bartender with all of this advice. It’s good advice, though, so I continue to listen. “One of the most important things I’ve learned in life is that complicated isn’t always bad. Sometimes complicated is just complex.”
A short line has started to form behind me. “Seems I have some stuff to think about, then.”
He smiles, returning to his jovial self. “Like I said, bring her by. I’d like to meet this complicated woman. Anyway, she sounds good for you. I have a feeling you’ve had it too easy with the ladies.”
That makes me laugh. “Yeah, maybe. Hm. I don’t know.” But I know deep down he’s right, pretty much about all of it. “Thanks for everything.”
“See you soon.”
I walk outside and stop to sip my coffee. My phone rings, and when I see the screen, I smile before answering. “Dude, you finally back?”
