He studies me for a long, long time before he straightens. “Ready to get your truck?”
“Ready.” I grab my keys and put them into my pocket. “I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you.”
“Since you did it for her, I can’t complain too much.” He grins and slaps me on the back. “Least you won’t be bored.”
“Remind me of that when I want to throttle her.”
He laughs.
I drop my head and let the smile come to my lips.
We’re on the road to peace, and she’s one step closer to being mine.
Chapter 18
Jessica
I’m not sure what I expected Charlie’s house to look like, but this isn’t it. Surrounded by mature trees, the modest-sized, two-story Craftsman bungalow with a traditional large, covered porch, rich cedar shingles. and slate-gray details is almost homey.
It looks inviting. Like it wants to welcome you with a warm hug.
Considering Charlie doesn’t exactly scream cozy, I’m surprised.
Through the etched glass, I see him walk to the door, swinging it open. Feet bare, he stands before me in a pair of jeans and a loose, faded blue T-shirt.
Unfamiliar nerves dance a tango in my stomach. Tongue-tied, I attempt to peer around him to get a glimpse inside, but his broad shoulders take up the space, blocking my view.
I toss my hair and say the first thing that pops into my head. “You mean to tell me this whole time I could have walked to your house, and you failed to mention it?”
He leans against the doorframe, crossing his arms over his chest. “When was I supposed to drop my address into conversation?”
I put my hands on my hips. “You could have texted it to me.”
“Randomly texting my address to a woman who won’t talk to or look at me is wandering into creepy, stalker territory.” His gaze drifts down my body, his jaw hardening.
“You could have texted with a lead-in.” Looks like we’re jumping right into the deep end. Here I thought I’d at least get to flirt first. Maybe charm him a little.
But it seems he’s done wasting time.
“You know why I didn’t.” He drinks me in like he’s been waiting his whole life just to look at me.
The longer he looks, the hotter I get. “Maybe I took it too far.”
“Why do you think that is?” The intent focus of his attention is thrilling, and I do my best not to get distracted since we’re apparently going to talk about what happened instead of ignoring it like normal people.
I shift on the balls of my feet.
“No games, Jessica. I want the truth.”
My diaphragm jumps in an unsteady beat. “I got spooked and forgot how to talk to you.”
His eyes are dark and fathomless, searching. “And your solution was to immediately attach yourself to another guy?”
“It, um, made sense to me at the time.”
“I think it’s only fair you pay, don’t you?”
I can literally feel myself grow wetter at the thought, but I still disagree. “You weren’t entirely blameless.”