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“Okay,” she said in a compassionate voice. “Well.” She walked to the bathroom, chuckled, and pulled a towel off the rack. “I have enough towels, so I’ll be all right.”
His laugh faded quickly as he walked to her door.
“Get some rest, okay?” Charlie said calmly.
Hammer nodded and walked out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him. He leaned against it and closed his eyes, shaking his head.
He thought of how he had faced demons, leopards, and powerful wizards. For Christ’s sake, he was a dragon shifter, and he couldn’t even form a sentence in front of her. Embarrassed, he walked back to his room to decide his next move. If nothing else, he knew he needed to collect himself to act normally around Charlie again.
He lay in the room as the sun peeked over the bright blue horizon. He wondered what Charlie’s plans for the day were, but he didn’t feel confident in his ability to communicate appropriately with her.
He pushed his hair out of his face and sighed, walking to the window again. The city was busier during the day and less captivating, but he still thought of her bright eyes.
He heard a knock at the door, and his heart leapt in his chest. He scrambled to get dressed and wondered what to say to Charlie. He knew she would ask him what he was talking about the night before, and he debated telling her he was sleepwalking, but even that seemed outlandish.
“Coming!” he called out, pulling on his socks.
He cleared his throat and poised his body as he opened the door, only to be greeted by Charlie’s father. Hammer’s face fell, and he adjusted his posture accordingly.
“Mr. Jackson,” he said, surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“I would like to have a word with you, Hammer.”
Mr. Jackson wasted no time walking into Hammer’s room without an invitation. Hammer’s heart thumped in his chest, wondering what he could want.
Charlie’s father sat in one of the chairs by the window and motioned for Hammer to join him. Hammer sat slowly, crossing his legs and folding his hands in his lap.
“My daughter has been quite captivated with you,” Mr. Jackson said, staring out the window. “She has taken on a new …” He paused. “Personality of sorts.”
Hammer cleared his throat. “What do you mean?”
“She seems more free, light, almost untouchable.” He glanced at Hammer. “I’ve never seen her this happy.”
Hammer grinned but was quickly shut down by Mr. Jackson’s severe glare.
“I want to know your intentions,” her father stated, staring directly at Hammer.
“Intentions?” Hammer asked, searching for the correct answer to the question.
“What do you want with her?” he asked, leaning in. Hammer wondered if this was some sort of intimidation tactic.
Hammer sighed. “What do I want with her?” he asked, more to himself, staring out the window. He pursed his lips and shook his head. “If I’m being honest with you, Mr. Jackson,” Hammer paused and looked down at his hands, “I love her more than I care to admit. I went to her room last night and tried to tell her, but I couldn’t.”
Mr. Jackson nodded slowly and turned to the window, resting his head on his hand. He nodded and rose from the chair, reaching his hand to shake Hammer’s.
“I understand,” Mr. Jackson said.
Hammer stood from his chair, totally confused, as he shook Mr. Jackson’s hand. Without another word, he walked to Hammer’s hotel door and let himself out.
Hammer stood with his mouth open in the hotel room, throwing his arms up in exasperation as he lay on the bed. He had the words to say aloud to her father, but not to Charlie?
Moreover, what did “I understand” mean? Was that a good thing, a bad thing, or disapproval? The handshake seemed like an agreement, but it also could have been a goodbye. Hammer stared at the ceiling and sighed, his head racing with possibilities.
TWENTY-NINE
CHARLIE
Charlie lay down for a nap, and dreams of Hammer swirled through her mind. She saw him atop a mountain, about to shift into his dragon form.
