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I mentally went through my schedule. The truth was that even Saturdays were usually blocked off, for me—it was often the only day when I had free time to get all of my homework and studying done for the week, since the rest of the week I had classes, work, and other coaching and tutoring obligations. It was also the only day I was able to catch up on sleep and get in some midday laps at the pool.
But I shoved all of that aside for now. I could make it work. “Sure. I can be free,” I told him.
“Fall Festival, then,” he said. “Be my date.”
“Shit. The Fall Festival is this Saturday?”
I’d only been working in Jade River for a handful of months, but I’d already learned that they went hard on their seasonal festivals. It was well worth the drive up the mountain from campus, even if I wouldn’t be working that day.
“So we’ll go, look cute together, and I’ll kick your ass at the ring toss?”
He lifted an eyebrow in a challenge. “Kiss my ass at the ring toss, you mean?” he said. “You’re going to wish you’d never said that.”
I puffed out a laugh. “You have no idea what you’re in for.”
I felt like I was floating somewhere above my body right now, watching myself agree to something wild.
Or… maybe it didn’t have to seem wild. Maybe I was just doing a nice thing for a friend, like I always did.
“That will be great publicity for social media,” Charlie said. “I’m sure they’ll get great footage of us under the pretty leaves, or whatever bullshit they want.”
“Hey, it’s not bullshit,” I said. “I thought you loved fall.”
He rolled his eyes. “Usually. But I don’t love it when I’m alone.”
My heart ached for him. “Well, you won’t be alone. I’m all yours. More fuel for the people who ship us.”
I couldn’t quite read the expression in his eyes. I knew Charlie was still reeling with hurt from his shitty ex and his recent breakup, but the amount of longing in his expression killed me sometimes.
“Exactly,” he finally said, his voice a little quieter.
“I’ll be there,” I said. “I’ll try to wear something nice.”
“Wear whatever you want,” he said. “You always look disgustingly good, anyway.”
I tucked my head, trying and probably failing to hide the blush on my cheeks. “Thank you. You always look really cool, too.”
Slick. Real slick, I chided myself in my head.
What I really wanted to say was that to me, he always looked like a goddamn rock star, with his black clothes and tattoos and infinitely charming confidence.
In other words, he was hot as fuck. I just had no idea how to tell another guy that. Luckily he seemed to appreciate it anyway, no matter how lame I’d felt.
“Let me give you my number so we can meet up on Saturday,” he said.
We exchanged phone numbers, and it felt like a little thrill putting his number into my phone. I’d never cared this much about getting any girl’s number before. Clearly, I was just excited for my little acting role, playing the part of Charlie’s Boyfriend.
I sucked in a deep breath, trying to forget myself and just be there for him.
“Okay. My first act as your boyfriend is going to be asking what you’d like to drink tonight,” I told him, grabbing a cocktail glass. “Another rhubarb mint limeade? One of the lavender lemon spritzes? Something with ginger tonight, baby?”
He shook his head slowly. “God,” he said. “Is it depressing that you’ve only been my fake boyfriend for about a minute, and already you’re treating me better than most real boyfriends I’ve had?”
“I’m going to treat you really well,” I said, surprised at how sincerely I meant it. “Because you deserve it.”
I really cared about him. It was as simple as that. I’d seen him go through hell, when he used to come in and toss back shot after shot, usually whiskey or tequila. I’d watched him have awful dates, sitting here at the bar. I’d even seen him cry a couple of times, usually after his horrible ex, Jim, treated him like garbage—cheating on him and lying to his face.
And all the while, Charlie treated all of the people around him with kindness and respect. Even when they didn’t earn it.
He was wounded, but he was so fucking strong. And with the way he cared about people, he deserved far more than the shitty hand he’d been dealt in love.
“Good boyfriend and a good pep-talker,” Charlie joked, a half-smile spreading over his lips. It seemed clear that he was trying to shake off a distant memory again. “Sure. I’ll take another rhubarb mint limeade.”
I nodded once. “All yours.”
3
CHARLIE
One bad thing about falling in love too damn easily was that I couldn’t go anywhere in this town without seeing someone I’d had a crush on. And that meant any seasonal festival in Jade River was colorful, lively, and absolutely chock full of members of the Charlie Once Had the Hots For You Club.
