Bringing my beer to my lips, I chug a few mouthfuls and then set the bottle on the counter. I have to show her I’ve changed. Give her a reason to take another chance on me. Because no one can love her like I can.
No one will please her like I have.
I want nothing else but to make her happy.
I turn on the sink and grab a rag, washing the dishes that wouldn’t fit in the dishwasher. I suck down the rest of my beer and go upstairs to shower and brush my teeth. Naked, I pass out in bed.
No surprise, I dream about Charlie.* * *
“What aren’t you telling me?” I narrow my eyes at my twin, able to sense that he’s withholding something secret.
Logan smiles, looks out at the bar, and motions for me to join him in the office. He’s sitting at the computer and has been working on the schedule for the next few weeks.
“Danielle’s pregnant.”
“Shit, congrats!” I clap him on the back. “Your boys can swim!”
He laughs. “We already knew that, jackass. Don’t tell anyone yet. Danielle wants to wait until she gets her first ultrasound, ya know, since the last one didn’t stick.”
“Your secret is safe with me. And this one is it. I have a good feeling about it.”
His smile grows. “I hope so. It was really hard on her—and Mom—last time.”
Danielle had an early miscarriage only a few months ago, which we were told was totally normal, yet still devastating for everyone.
“When does she go into the doctor?”
“Next week. She thinks she’s already six and a half weeks so we’re past where we got last time.”
“You’re gonna give me another nephew, I can feel it.”
Logan laughs. “I’d love a son. Fuck, that’s weird to say.”
“Don’t start the dad-jokes just yet.”
“I’ll try my best.”
It’s Friday evening, and Getaway is busy as usual. I’m in a good mood, happy for Logan and Danielle. It’s the first time since seeing Charlie over a week ago that I felt this good. The night is going by fast…until she walks in.
I don’t know what makes me look up, but I do the moment she steps through the doors. Her hair billows around her face and it’s like everything moves in slow motion, including my heart.
Charlie steps into the bar and stops, looking around. She’s alone but isn’t uncomfortable. It’s easy to forget she’s a lawyer, that she’s ruthless when she has to be and isn’t afraid to find her own voice. She’s wearing a black top and tight jeans and looks so fucking good. Her blonde hair is pulled up in a bun on the top of her head, and her red lipstick is making me want to kiss those lips.
She catches my eye and gives a small smile as she makes her way over to the bar
“Miss me?” I reach under the bar for a wine glass.
“Keep dreaming,” she says, and I wonder if she’s able to read my mind. I have been dreaming about her.
I turn and go to the mini fridge, getting out a bottle of sweet red wine. I fill up her glass and slide it over. She takes it but looks at the liquid as if there’s poison inside.
“Then what are you doing here?”
“Can’t a girl come get a drink?” She brings the wine glass to her lips. I swallow hard, talking down my cock. God, this woman is gorgeous.
“Of course she can. But why come here of all places?”
She takes a big drink of wine. “There aren’t any other places to go after ten PM here.” Setting the glass back on the bar, she looks around. “This place is nice.”
“You sound surprised again. Are your expectations that low?”
She cocks an eyebrow. “Do you want me to answer that?”
I roll my eyes and shift my attention to another female customer who comes up to the bar, tits popping out of her top. She makes a point to lean over and show them off, making me think she just got them done and wants everyone to notice. The surgeon did a fantastic job, but even Ms. Designer Tits falls short next to Charlie.
My Charlie.
“Really, though,” she starts, taking her eyes from me to the woman next to her. “I just need some quiet.”
“You came to the wrong place, sweetheart.”
“Don’t call me sweetheart,” she shoots back.
“What, will you sue me?”
“I would love to.”
I round on her, leaning against the bar. “And I’d love to see you in a tight skirt and button-up blouse. Oh, wait. I have. Remember when you used to play sexy librarian with me? I had overdue books all the time.”
“Shut your mouth,” she snaps and picks up the wine, downing the rest. “I shouldn’t have come here.”
“Wait,” I say, putting my hand over hers before she walks away. “Stay. You obviously came here for a reason.”