Chapter 19
Charlie
Istack the books carefully into the paper bag, sliding them across the counter to the customer, giving her smile. “Thank you for shopping at Spellbound Books.”
She grins back, taking her bag. “Thank you. I’m always happy to have a fictional reason to ignore my housework.” I laugh as she heads out, leaving me alone with the books and my thoughts.
It’s been six months since I last saw Dillon.
After everything came to a head the night of that party, time seemed to pass by at a crawl.
Each day felt like a new challenge for me to face and survive.
But just when I started feeling good about myself again—just when I stopped hearing Dillon’s words in my head—I ran out of excuses to stop avoiding my parents.
Kayla dragged me over to their place on a Thursday, as per usual, and my mother made sure that, for the whole evening, I never doubted for a second who the problem was.
“What did you do?”
“It’s probably because you don’t know how to look after yourself. I gave you that gym membership for a reason.”
“You know what, I’ll give you the card for my stylist at the salon. It’ll be a hard ask, but I’m sure she can do…something for you.”
“Stop moping, Charlotte. I’m not sure we can really blame the boy for wanting better for himself.”
I wanted to defend myself. I opened my mouth to do just that, even though I wasn’t sure what I would say. My father caught my eye and shook his head, like I was the one in the wrong.
I am his only child, but I wasn’t worth defending.
Kayla seemed oblivious to how horrible the entire night was for me, but I felt like I was finally reaching a point of acceptance regarding my family.
They were never going to accept me for me.
My father was never going to be proud of my accomplishments or career, and my mother was never going to be satisfied—not with my looks or anything else.
I still couldn’t understand why it was so easy to walk away from Dillon, but not my family.
They were like a healing scab that I just kept picking and picking and picking, but it never healed.
I was so consumed with the idea that, one day, they might realize who I am and that I’m worthy of their love.
The entire night had pushed me right into that dark hole that felt impossible to escape, so I did what I do best: buried it all as deep as I could and avoided everything that hurt…Which also means I haven’t seen my parents since that night—two months ago.
I look up as the door opens, triggering the rain stick, just as Alec strolls inside, a smile already on his face.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he greets, coming to lean on the front counter where I’ve been inputting a new shipment of books into our system for the last hour. “How’re you doing?”
“I’m good.” My brows dip in a puzzled frown. “Did we have plans today?”
I have been spending more time with Barrett since my breakup with Dillon, which, coincidentally, means I have been spending time with Alec, too. One night, after just the right amount of wine, I succumbed to the chemistry that had been brewing between us.
I don’t know if it was the right move, but Alec spent the entire night worshipping me, drowning every negative word and thought out of my head and replacing it with pleasure.
The next morning, we talked about keeping it as a one-off—I wasn’t in the place for anything more, and Alec wasn’t looking for “serious” either.
But it had been all too easy to keep falling into bed together.
And that had turned into sleepovers and hanging out without Barrett. Alone.
A month ago, I knew I needed to pull back.
I didn’t want to risk the friendship that had blossomed between us by muddying the waters with sex.
And it wasn’t fair to keep using Alec to make myself feel better in my own skin—even when he reassured me it was fine and that he had a “kink for being used”.
He agreed easily, his eyes understanding, but taking a step away didn’t stop him from flirting…Not that I mind.
My worth shouldn’t be decided by other people or what they think of me, but knowing this tall, dark, inked, and seriously sexy older man wants me is a continuous boost to my confidence. And it feels even better knowing that, even without the orgasms, he still wants to keep my friendship.
“Nope, no plans.” Alec runs a hand over his close-cropped hair, his arms flexing as he does, showing off the ink swirling up his arms and under the short sleeve of his shirt. “I had some time this afternoon, so thought I’d see if you wanted to grab a coffee with me.”
There’s enough suggestion in his tone that has me narrowing my eyes in warning. “Just coffee,” I say firmly. “Nothing else.”
He puts a hand over his heart, his expression falling dramatically. “The lack of trust, Char! You wound me.”
I roll my eyes with a laugh. “Fine. Let me just finish up here, and then Flossie should be back from her lunch.”
There’s a gleam in Alec’s brown eyes, his smile satisfied. He pulls his phone out while he waits.
It doesn’t take me long, and just as I add the last book into the system, Flossie walks in, a paper bag clutched in her hand.
“Hey, Charlie, I brought you a sandwich. You said you didn’t want anything, but I—” She stops talking abruptly as she catches sight of Alec lounging against the counter, narrowing her eyes.
“Hello, Florence,” he greets amiably, his smile widening when her expression sours.
“Thanks for the sandwich,” I cut in before Flossie says something she shouldn’t.
Her eyes slide to mine, mouth set into a scowl.
“Alec’s taking me to get a coffee. Could you put it in the fridge for later?
” Her expression doesn’t ease. She bobs her head, red curls bouncing.
“I’ll be back in about thirty. Will you be okay? ”
Her mouth twitches upward, eyes flitting around the empty store. “I think I’ll manage,” Flossie tells me dryly. She rounds the counter, giving him a wide berth, and disappears out the back.
“Come on.” Alec is unbothered by her attitude, throwing me a cheeky grin. “I don’t want to get in trouble for taking a long lunch.” He tucks his phone away, heading for the door and holding it open for me.
“You’re the boss,” I remind him as I grab my purse. “No one’s telling you off for anything.”
He waits until I’m brushing past him, leaning down to whisper, “That’s right, sweetheart. And don’t you forget it.” His breath brushes against the shell of my ear, and a shiver pleasantly rolls down my spine.
The man is potent, and he knows it.
“Stop that,” I chide playfully. “Coffee, and that’s it. See you soon, Flossie!” There’s a low reply from the backroom, too quiet to make out.
It’s smack between lunch and the after-school rush, so Beans & Bolts is quiet enough that we snag a table easily. Alec sits sideways in his chair, back against the window, and legs kicked out in front of him.
“How’s life at Kayla’s?”
“Same as always.” I blow out a breath, and he flicks up a questioning eyebrow. “She’s pressuring me to make nice with my parents.”
His expression darkens briefly before he lowers his lashes, shuttering his eyes. “So move out.”
“I want to,” I murmur. “I need to. Kayla has been telling me that I might as well just stay now that her friend has decided not to move here.”
Alec rolls his eyes. “You move out, and she loses access to Barrett.”
I scrunch my nose up. I try not to think about my best friend and cousin. They’re…I don’t even know what they are, but they aren’t together.
“You know that Flossie hates it when you call her Florence,” I say, changing the subject. Alec barely blinks, smiling up at the server as she sets our coffees down on the table.
When she goes back behind the counter, he says, “I do know that. She keeps giving me such a good reaction, so there’s no incentive to stop.”
“I’m gonna ban you from the bookshop if you don’t play nice,” I threaten.
Alec shrugs easily. “You could try,” he taunts, lifting his coffee to his lips.
I shake my head with a smile, wishing for a second that I could feel anything but friendship for him.
He knows what he wants out of life and goes after it, no holds barred.
But that’s a pointless fantasy, because Alec isn’t ready to settle down, and what I feel for him…
It doesn’t even touch on what I felt for Dillon.
The door opens, and a cold breeze sweeps through the cafe, teasing my ankles.
I glance up—a subconscious move more than anything else—my eyes immediately landing on the man walking inside as if he was summoned by my thoughts.
Dillon clocks me in the next second, his hazel eyes widening in surprise before his mouth curves.
My heart jumps erratically in my chest. “Oh, shit,” I hiss between my teeth.
Alec sits up, head swinging around. “Oh, well, now…” he says under his breath. “This afternoon just got a little more interesting.”
“Did you know he was going to be here?” I demand quietly, leaning across the table. “I know you know who he is. I know you go to Barrett’s stupid video game nights.”
Barrett suggested inviting Dillon along to me first, wanting to make sure I was fine with it.
At first, it was weird, but I wasn’t petty enough to stop it from happening, especially knowing how badly Dillon needs friends that aren’t completely assholes.
So, Barrett and I came up with a deal: he doesn’t tell me about Dillon or whatever they get up to, and Barrett doesn’t tell Dillon about me.
Now, Alec’s staring at me, all humor fading away into sincerity. “I didn’t know, sweetheart. You know I don’t mess around like that.”
I search his face before sinking into my seat, exhaling heavily. “You’re right. Sorry. I just…” I trail off, watching Dillon out of the corner of my eye as he heads for the counter to order.