“I think he just mademeswoon, and that’s damn near impossible,” Red adds, whacking my hand off my neck. “And stop scratchin’.”
Later that night,I'm in bed with my phone in hand and a smile on my face, because Charlie's name has just flashed up on the screen.
Charlie: You didn’t tell me you knew Aster Hollingsworth! I should be mad at you, but since I had lunch with her today, I’ll give you a pass just this once.
Austin: Did you fan girl over her?
Charlie: A little bit. But she’s just like us, only cooler.
Austin: Is this when I tell you I’ve read her books too?
Charlie: No way! How could you not tell me? Now we can have a mini book club at our next sleepover.
I chuckle and shake my head.
Austin: It’s been a while since I read them, Char. Besides, I’d much rather you just read them to me.
Charlie: You want me to read you my romance novel about a hunky cowboy and his ranch hand?
It's the last thing I’d want becausethatbook is about Tobes and Dee and Ireallydon’t want to hear about… certain parts… of their story…
Austin: I was thinking. Can we delay the bathroom for another week, I’d like to take you out on Saturday.
Charlie: You will see me Saturday whether we do the bathroom or not…
Austin: I was thinking we could have a first date do-over. I stuffed up with the restaurant and whatever that heinous stack of seafood was that I put in my mouth.
Charlie: OMG it truly was gross. I think it had wasabi or something in it.
Austin: Wasabi? Was that the green stuff that tasted like I'd stuck my tongue in a pepper mill and then rolled it around in bull crap?
Charlie: Wow, such a poetic description. Your words really capture the experience. Such good memories haha
Austin: I aim to please, Char
Charlie: And you please me without trying, Love.
Love. She’s called me that before and it had the same effect on me then as it has right now. Warm and gooey, like melted ice cream…or a hot apple pie on a cold winter’s night.
Austin: Is that a yes to a date on Saturday? I’ll pick you up.
Charlie: Will I need an overnight bag?
Austin: That depends…
Charlie: OK, I'll play along. On what?
Austin: On whether you trust me to give you a good second, first date…
Charlie: In that case, I don’t need an overnight bag…
Austin: You don’t?
Charlie: Nope. I need packing boxes.
Needless to say, I go to sleep with a huge smile on my face.
21
