Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Charlie
The yacht was docking as the short trip to see was fun, so we could be together and enjoy the views, but it was almost noon.
And I hadn’t told Hope we would be gone this long. We both had plans that needed us back in Manhattan. My interview was tomorrow, and I hadn't prepped. For now, I went back inside, where most of my family was enjoying the air conditioning and wine.
In the middle of my tribe sat Hope. As I joined her, my mother had her talking to Arman’s wife. Maman said, “Hope, do you have a wedding coordinator yet?”
She wrung her hands. “I’ve not thought about it.”
Maman held her close. “Well, Maddie is a wedding planner, professionally, and she coordinated Ali’s wedding and a few in Manhattan.”
Maddie handed Hope her card. “Don’t feel pressured, but whenever you’re ready, please call. You get the family discount.”
Hope took it and smiled. She said something, but I wasn’t able to hear the rest, so I went over and kissed her cheek.
Maman hugged me. “Happy you could join us today.”
She hugged Hope, then I took Hope’s hand. When we were alone in the crowd, I said, “You look overwhelmed.”
She closed her eyes. “I’m anxious to get back to New York soon.”
“Relax.” I rubbed her back.
My brother, Arman, then shouted at us, “Charlie, kiss her.”
I held my hand around her waist. I refused to kiss her for show. “I have. I will.”
Then Kir said, “Yeah, man, we’ve not seen you two kiss.”
My heart thundered. Then she tugged my belt loop closer to her. “Charlie… come here.”
I held her and whispered, “My family are clearly all crazy.”
She laughed and wrapped her arms around me. “Then you get it from them.”
Then she closed her eyes, and her lips met mine. Every cell in my body instantly activated, and I ached for her. I held her tightly and deepened the kiss. Hope was the best kisser, because I forgot the world. All I wanted was her.
As the world became colorized again, our gazes met as my family cheered. She mouthed to me, “Damn.”
I laughed and nodded. She was right. Then I held her waist. It was time to get us back to our lives and have some alone time. I waved to my family as we walked off the ship. “We’re going to get going now. Bye.”
Twenty minutes later, after hugging everyone and saying goodbyes individually, Hope waved one last time. “Nice meeting everyone.”
I held her hand and escorted her to the golf cart that would transport us to my plane, then we would head home, where, ideally, we could pick up where we'd left off in Paris.