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After talking to Charlie yesterday, the rest of my day flew by. I was more productive in a few hours of the afternoon than I had been all week. Just talking to her, hearing her voice, pulled me out of my “missing Charlotte” slump I’ve found myself in. I know that’s why. What I don’t know is what I’m going to do about it. I can feel her starting to soften up to me, but I’ve been shot down by that woman more times than I care to admit. Sure, she thought I was joking every time I asked her out after the very first time. I might have been teasing to get under her skin, but I was still serious.
I thought that I’d let this go when we left college, but I find myself right back where I started when I laid eyes on her that very first day of freshman year. I’m consumed by her, but this time it’s more. I’ve tasted her, and now it’s more than just wanting to take a pretty girl out on a date.
I fucking crave her.
I’m sitting on the couch, scrolling through the TV, looking for something to watch, and nothing jumps out at me. I should go out and mow the lawn, but it’s hot as hell outside, so I’m going to wait and do that tomorrow morning. Maybe I should call one of my buddies and see if they want to go grab some dinner. As soon as the thought crosses my mind, my cell rings. Glancing at the screen, I see “Linc calling.”
“What’s up?”
“I’m starving,” he replies.
“You’re a big boy. Make yourself something to eat.” I’m still a little miffed at him over the whole waiting until the wedding weekend to break things off with Audrey.
“Have you eaten yet?”
“No.” I’m not going to make this easy on him, even though it’s as if he read my mind all the way from his place.
“Let’s meet at High Tide for wings.”
“What time?” I ask this like I have a full agenda for the rest of the day when the truth of the matter is that I have shit else to do.
“Now.”
“You’re buying,” I tell him.
He laughs. “Fine. Let’s go, grumpy. I’m withering away to nothing over here. I skipped breakfast and only had a banana for lunch.”
“Why?”
“I was caught up with going over some reports for next week and lost track of time.”
“We really need to work on this workaholic thing you’ve got going for you.”
“You know how it is,” he says with a heavy sigh.
“You’re right. I do know. I run a hospital, and I still manage to get away from the office. You have to let it go. You can’t work yourself to the ground until you lose all sense of yourself outside of your career.”
“I know. I know,” he repeats. “I’m working on it.” What he doesn’t need to say is this is why he called off the wedding. The life he lives isn’t a good life for him, let alone for Audrey, or any woman for that matter.
“If you ever plan on having a family one day, Linc, you need to get a handle on that shit.”
“Trust me. I know.” He pauses, and I let the silence hang between us. “High Tide in twenty. If you’re not there, I’m ordering without you.”
“I’ll be there.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him that if I make a commitment, I stand behind it but think better of it and keep my mouth shut. It’s his life, and even if I don’t agree with how he handled things, I understand why.
“Later,” he mumbles, and I don’t bother with a reply, knowing that he’s already hung up the phone. Instead, I pull my lazy ass from the couch and head off to find my shoes.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m pulling into the parking lot of High Tide. I park next to Linc, who appears to already be inside if his empty vehicle is any indication. As soon as I walk in the door, I spot him sitting at one of the high tops talking to a waitress.
“There he is.” He smiles.
“What can I get you to drink?” she asks me.
“Sweet tea for now.” I look over at Linc as I slide into a chair. “Have you ordered?”
“Not yet.”
