28. Charlie
28
“ I can’t believe this is it,” Em says during our lunch date on my last day. It’s been an emotional week for me—for many reasons—but I never imagined I’d be so at peace with leaving the library.
This place had been my sanctuary since I was a teenager.
It’s where I fell in love with books and slowly grew into the person I am. Where I went from drinking orange soda to Earl Grey tea.
Where I first crushed hard on Noah Reeves.
“How long has it been?”
“Seven years,” I say, taking a bite of my salad.
“So you’re taking the job in Denver then? The children’s museum?”
“After three rounds of interviews, two by phone and one video, they made an offer last week.”
“And the apartment?”
That, unfortunately, isn’t as lucky. The realtor called me a few days ago rejecting my application because of “uncertain income requirements” and recommended a few options outside the city.
It was devastating since it would have been nice to live in the center of everything.
Luckily, I have time to keep looking since Pepper and Chase are letting me stay in their apartment in Denver until the fall when the new hockey season starts.
“I’ve got a place,” I say, and it’s enough for now.
She reaches for the check. “Well, you keep working on that little project of yours. Your plans are spectacular, just…outside of our budget.”
I smile politely. “I will. Thank you.”
On our way out, Em gives me her card as if I don’t know her number by heart. “If you ever need anything. If it doesn’t work out in the city, give me a call and I’ll see if we can get you back in.”
I frown. “Why wouldn’t it work out?”
She rolls her eyes. “Charlie, you’re not the first person to want to make it in the big city and come back to town needing work. Look at Pepper. And Tessa for that matter. They both disappeared and came back.”
She's wrong. I don't have big city dreams. I love Hideaway Springs. I'm only leaving because there's nothing here for me.
I slow my steps and she takes my hand. “I love that you have big dreams. But sometimes, they’re just dreams. And trying to chase them can be pretty costly. Just don’t be afraid to come back. We’re happy to have you.”
Smiling I offer her a hug because I know she means well. “Thanks, Em.”
I walk into the house after seven, dropping my tote bag on the floor and shedding off my boots. The ones that will need to go in storage soon now that summer is around the corner.
Noah’s car is in the driveway so I know he’s home. But I can also smell that he’s home. Baked fish, garlic, spices, and good wine hits my senses almost instantly.
I’m famished so this definitely messes with my plans to talk to him tonight.
Tomorrow, Noah is going to find out that Landon and I are not on a date. It's going to be kind of obvious if the man shows up with a tall hot girl who is not me. Or if he doesn't bring a date but isn't anywhere near me all afternoon.
I've wrangled my brain all day on how to approach this and came up blank.
The only way is the truth.
Maybe he'll find it funny.
Maybe, but not in a good way…
Noah calls from the kitchen. “You just going to stand there all night? It doesn’t smell that bad in here.”
I swallow. “Coming.” My voice croaks and he peeks out.
“You alright?”
I clear my throat. “Long day.”
“I was going to pick you up but I like watching you…come home.” He winks.
“Noah.”
He puts up a hand. “I left you alone all week. We got done what we needed to for the wedding so tonight—at least for dinner—you’re all mine.”
My stomach sinks. “We need to talk.”
He sighs, setting the spatula down and wrapping his arms around me. And it does feel like coming home. “I know.”
“You do?”
“Yes. About your date tomorrow.”
I wait for him to lead but he doesn’t.
“But first we’ll have dinner.” He hands me a glass of wine and swings back to the stove."Last time we talked before dinner, you ran out on me, and look where that got us. At least let me feed you first."
"Ouch." I laugh and it surprises me how lighthearted he's being. "How much of this wine have you had tonight?"
He twists and kisses me. "I'm just glad it's you and me tonight and we canceled the rehearsal dinner."
I wash my hands to set the table. "We didn't have a choice. Pepper is secretly miserable and Chase and I didn't want her to suffer through entertaining for the sake of everyone else. And don't forget, Chase is coming here later and I'm going to the cottage."
Noah grunts at the reminder, plating our dinner. "Levi is so getting his ass kicked after the wedding."
When we all decided a rehearsal dinner wasn't in the best interest of the bride and groom, Levi cracked a joke about the bride not needing a rehearsal.
Which is why the groom is now spending the night before the wedding at Noah's rather than Levi's.
We’re an hour into our quiet dinner, and it's exactly that—quiet. We spend most of it on innocent chit-chat about the wedding. Neither of us making the first move to talk about what happens after .
He knows about my new job in Denver. He knows about Chase and Pepper offering me their place for the summer. He was quiet over the entire conversation a few days ago when we were at their place tying little golden rings on place cards.
But after that night at the Inn, he's been…different. We came home, showered, and then he held me in his arms like I was—in no uncertain terms—his.
He's been more than helpful with the wedding planning all week. His cases taking a back seat because "this is more important".
Somehow I don't think he meant for his brother's sake.
Work all day and late-night planning slowed down the sex too. Either we've been too tired or he thinks that after our night at the Inn, there's nothing left to "teach me".
As if reading my mind, Noah sets his napkin down and gives me the look. “Think we have time for a dip in the hot tub?”
My heart sinks because I want that more than anything. I shake my head. "I have to leave for Pepper’s soon."
He sighs and leans back. “Right. And my brother is coming over.” He stands and clears our plates. “Who came up with this dumb plan?”
“They're the bride and groom. They're supposed to spend the night before apart.” I grab the empty glasses and follow.
“Says who?”
“He’s not supposed to see her until the ceremony. It makes it more…special or something, I don't know.”
“We're not getting married. Why should we spend the night apart?”
I don’t respond and hand him a few more dishes. “Do you want me to get some clean sheets ready for him in the guest room?” I’ve been curious about the guest room for weeks but haven’t brought it up. And right now is probably not the best time since he looks like he’s not in the mood.
“No. My brother can set himself up. I’m doing enough giving up my last night with you for some stupid rule.” He practically slams the dishwasher shut.
“Noah.”
“Be honest with me, Charlie. After what we’ve been through, whose bed you planning on being in tomorrow?”
Sharp pain sears through my chest, and steals my voice.
He runs his hand through his hair. “Am I crazy, or does it feel like there’s something here?” he motions between us.
I raise a brow like he is crazy. “ Something ?”
It’s everything .
“I’m not asking you to cancel your date.”
“No. You're just asking me who I'm sleeping with," I shout. And it's unfair because I understand.
"You know I didn't mean it like that, Charlie," he breathes. He closes the distance and holds my face in his hands. “This fucking date has been killing me these past two weeks.”
I swallow.
“I have no claim to you. We had an understanding—a rule for this very reason."
Liquid fills my eyes and I'm still lost on how to fix this out of hand mess I made.
"Say something."
Now or never, Charlie .
“What if there was no date?” I blurt out.
He blinks and steps back. “You think I want to give us a second chance because you’re no longer available.”
I shake my head. “That’s not what I said.”
I turn as headlights flash through the window at the front of the house.
“That’s Chase.” Noah grips my face, stepping closer, setting his leg between both of mine. “Baby, I promise you that’s not it.”
“And I promise there’s no one I want but you, Noah.”
The doorbell rings. But he holds on tight. "Do you mean that? Is… us something you want to talk about?"
I nod. "Desperately. After the wedding." Since it's too late now.
He swallows, dropping his head. He meets my eyes again, stealing my breath away with the passion I see in them. “Say you're mine again.”
“Can we wait until tomorrow?”
“Absolutely not. I need to hear it now. Before you go to Pepper’s for the night.”
“I'm yours, Noah. I've always been yours.“
He releases a breath. And it takes him a moment to collect his bearings before he looks back at me and kisses me deeply. “Don't forget it.”
With that, he leaves me in the kitchen and heads to the front door.
I sniffle and suck in a breath.
I’ve always been his. But in the five years I’ve known him, he’s never been mine.