I manage a weak smile, reaching up to cup her face in my hands and feeling better just from touching her. "I'm fine, Char. I promise. I just got a little…"
"Flustered, uncomfortable, out of both of our elements? Because yes, I agree with all three. I appreciate the thought and effort you put into choosin' that restaurant and I feel honored you wanted to take me there to impress me, but can I let you in on a little secret? One that the society of womankind might kick me out of the group for tellin' you?"
My lips twitch and I arch a brow. “There’s a society of womankind?”
“Shh” Char looks around before her amused gaze returns to mine. “Austin, I’m happy justbein’ with you. Don’t you know that already? All I need isyou.”
I sigh, still disappointed in myself for screwing our night up. “Yeah. It's just... things are different now, you know? I don't want to mess this up."
Her expression softens and lifting on her toes, she gives me a gentle kiss on the lips. "The only way you could mess this up is if you don't find this burger place and I get hangry. So how 'bout we go do that, yeah?"
So that’s exactly what we do.
19
CHARLIE
Austin and I may have agreed to leave the past in our rearview mirror, but after our night away in Timber Falls, I’m starting to think that it’s not that easy. At least not for Austin.
Confused and admittedly a little worried about how to get Austin to stop trying to make up for the years we’ve lost, I decide it’s time to call in reinforcements. Which is why I’m now on my way to the diner to meet with Cora and Mom for some much-needed advice.
If our time away has shown me anything, it’s that Austin is tryingsohard to give me everything hethinksI want and need. The thing is, I don’t need fancy restaurants and him tryin’ to be somethin’ he’s not.
I’d be happy with a takeout meal from Mom’s diner and an impromptu picnic down by the lake. Or another one of his delicious home cooked meals. I don’t need champagne and filet mignon.
After we left the restaurant, as much as he assured me he was OK, Austin was in his head. We didn’t even get tofullyenjoythe queen-sized bed we had to ourselves. We kissed, we cuddled, then we both slept andonlyslept after Austin gave me a gentle kiss on the lips goodnight.
Then he started sleep talking, confusing me even more. He kept muttering about a ‘Call’ and a ‘mountain’ and screwing it all up.
I don’t mind that we just cuddled all night. It was nice, don’t get me wrong. But it’s like there is a fire simmering away inside of me when I’m near the man. I’m dreaming about him–and butterflies, but that’s a whole other story–and all I want to do is sequester the two of us away in his cabin until we’re sated.
All I need ishim, but how do I make him see that without offending him or sounding ungrateful?
I’ve experienced everything I have wanted out of my life so far and have no regrets about moving back home, especially now that I’ve reconnected with the one man I’ve always thought was my soulmate. All I want is a simple, happy, fulfilled life, and I want to have that with Austin Graham.
Walking through the diner’s front door, I spot Cora and another woman I do not know sitting in the Bull Ranch booth at the end of the room. There’s something about her though that seems familiar to me but it’s not until I reach the table that I realize why.
“You’re Aster Hollingsworth,” I whisper, earning a quiet laugh for my troubles.
"Why, yes, Charlie," Aster responds, a twinkle in her eyes. "I am. It's nice to finally meet you."
I sit down, taking a moment to look at the woman. She's dressed in a simple white blouse and a brown skirt, her hair pulled backin a neat bun. She could easily be anyone in this small town, not a bestselling romance author who has undoubtedly changed countless lives with her stories.
My mom appears moments later, sliding into the booth next to me and giving me a quick cuddle.
“I’ve put all of y’all’s orders in already, so we won’t have to wait long. Have you started yet?” she asks, speaking a mile a minute.
Cora giggles and shakes her head. “Nope. Charlie here is still a little starstruck with Aster.”
Mom nudges my arm. "Aren't we all? She's changed so many lives with her imaginary and sometimesnot-so-imaginary stories.
I look at Mom with a frown.
Aster smiles. “Now you’ve gone and confused her, Mags.”
Mom shrugs. “She’s got to learn sometime, right?”
“OK. Now you’re all startin’ to talk in riddles,” I say, looking around the table.
