Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Hope
Kissing Charlie was like tasting forbidden fruit.
I knew exactly where it led and how he'd made me forget. Days and nights in Paris all blended as he’d driven me wild, fulfilling every dream of how a man could perfectly fill me.
How we'd blended into oneness replayed in my mind between soul-searing kisses.
I’d came to my senses when I realized where we were. Flying wasn’t my idea of fun. I’d escaped out of the cockpit after our make-out session.
Then when he joined me and we got into the waiting limo, I hadn’t blinked.
My mind raced. His eyes were focused on me, and I assumed he was hoping to continue what had happened earlier. But if I did, then I would be destroying any chance I had of normalcy when we ended our ruse.
So I sat and stared out the window. When the limo stopped, I gazed up at his building.
Moments later, we were in the apartment, alone, and I had zero idea what I wanted to do. If I let myself follow my passions, then I was ignoring my long-term plans to take care of myself, always.
He stared at me. “We’re home.”
My heart beat a mile a minute. I was tempted to throw aside my hesitation and drag him to bed. At that moment, though, I was saved, and I showed him my friends texts. “And my phone’s beeping.”
He took off his shoes. “What’s going on?”
I slipped off my flats and met him in the doorway. Normally when one of our group of friends went somewhere, we reported in the second we return. Except I wasn’t ready for to let him go, despite everything. So I went on my tiptoes. “Can we meet my friends for drinks?”
He nodded and grabbed his shoes, tugging them back on. “I’ll spring for dinner if you like.”
Boyfriends had always been welcomed to happy hour. I texted my friends about Charlie’s offer. “Sounds good. Tomorrow, I have my interview, and you have work. So fingers crossed we both figure out what we want, fast.”
We went downstairs and out the door. The limo was still waiting for us, and we hopped back in. As we drove to Midtown, Charlie said, “Thank you for not telling your friends about our ruse.”
My heart lifted. I hadn’t meant to lie to them, but all it took was one person to know then out us. I needed to keep my word, though I wasn’t sure I believed Charlie really needed me anymore, except to do as his mother wanted. I shrugged. “Well, I don’t know how much Britney heard us that day.”
He shrugged as we neared the restaurant. “She seems nothing but supportive of us being together.”
The limo stopped in front, and we stepped out. Staff held the doors like we were VIP. “She’s texting maid-of-honor dresses. Let’s go in.”
My friends had a round table in the corner. We walked over, and Charlie asked for menus for the table. I glanced around, and everyone seemed happy.
I asked, “What’s going on?”
Britney laughed, put in her order, and said, “We’re celebrating your engagement.”
We let the waiter take all our orders, and Charlie and I both decided on a Bordeaux, since he said the region was good. I would enjoy it, however it tasted, but then he told my friends, “My parents will want us to have a formal engagement party soon.”
More lies. Another reason we shouldn’t follow through on my desire.
Britney laughed. “We’ll be cleaned up by then.”
I slipped Avril, who sported her hair in a bun, Kir’s business card. She nodded and thanked me.
Isabel said, “Speak for yourself. So, Charlie, how many single brothers do you have?”
The food came fast. Or maybe it was slow, and I felt like the conversation was lively and fast. Either way, I stared at my chicken-glazed Asian infused salad.
"Let’s see," Charlie said. "Kir, Jeff, Roman, Xerses, and Adrien, who's a senior in college.”
Kelly laughed and winked. “One for each of us… to walk down the aisle with on your big day.”
“Let’s not go there,” I said, cutting my food. I hated to mess up any new relationship once the one with Charlie was done.
Charlie shrugged. “So, Kir is always the serious one. Jeff is the crusader for lost causes. Xerses and Roman are both techy and always talking shop, and Adrien is still in his rebel-for-no-reason years.”
Xerses and Roman were talking about their business, but either way it was clear they worked out like every guy in the family’s muscles. “We’re not parceling your brothers out to my friends. I think everyone needs to feel chemistry first.”
Charlie’s gaze had a twinkle in it. “Like in Paris, when you had no idea who I was?”
Isabel, who was honestly the perfect choice for a trillionaire, since she was always so polished, said, “He’s funny.”
We ate our dinners and sipped our drinks. My friends were a distraction, but the gorgeous man next to me was ready to drive me wild. All I had to do was say yes and give in.
His phone rang, and I saw his brother Kir’s name on the screen.
“I’ll be right back,” he said. He kissed my cheek and headed out the door to talk.
Britney asked, “So, what’s going on?”
I sipped more of the wine and figure out my words. “I’ve never been really good at being a girlfriend.”
“Those guys didn’t deserve you,” she said.
Maybe she was right. I shrugged. “Britney, you’re sweet. I’m just wondering if I’m biting off more than I can chew.”
I met Britney’s gaze. She was the mother figure of the group. I hadn’t realized it until now.
“Is his dick that big?” Kelly asked.
“Kelly, stop.”
She was always the one who surprised us with her humor because she would let it fly while looking like an angel and caring for others like an elementary school teacher during the day.
Charlie retook his seat. “So, what did I miss?”
Kelly smiled. “Hope is having wedding jitters.”
His eyes widened. “Why?”
I held my wine glass and looked at myself in it. “My life is so up in the air that I have no grounding. I’ll be fine.”
He placed his hand on my back. “Remember, I’m a pilot, so if you ever need help, I’m your guy.”
My friends were awed. I closed my eyes. He was getting to me, and I wanted to forget everything and just enjoy him.
Then we finished our cocktails, and Charlie paid for everyone.
“We should get going," I said. "It’s been a long day.”
“Have fun, you two," Britney said. "See you tomorrow.”
I was all nerves. Denying him was getting too much.
As we stepped outside, he asked me, “Where are we going?”
I lifted my chin. We needed to renegotiate. Maybe that would cool me down. For now, I said, “Home. We need to talk.”
“Sounds perfect.” He directed me into the limo.
If I made the choice to be with Charlie, it had to be because I was maybe falling for him. Money needed to be out of consideration for this to ever work. That sounded crazy, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted anymore.