The representative chuckled lightly. “Well, Mr. Hart, you’d be surprised how many people do. I don’t condone it, but it is an option.”
“Yeah, not my style.”
I’d already gotten married quickly once. While I’d never regret it, I didn’t want to get married again that quickly. The pressure that came with it, the expectation to make it work when I felt like I was still very broken inside, was suffocating.
“Thanks for your time,” I muttered, ending the conversation and slipping my phone into my pocket.
As I looked up, Charlie was just outside Evie’s classroom. She was crouched down, talking with Evie, who was clutching her lovie tightly.
“Evie.” I walked across the hall toward them.
Charlie looked up at me, and my chest tightened. Her long blonde hair was pulled in a ponytail, and she was wearing a bright graphic shirt with some colorful design splashed across it.
“Ms. Honey,” I whispered, unable to help myself.
Evie looked up at me, frowning slightly as she glanced between the two of us. “No, that’s not Ms. Honey. Her name is Ms. Astor.”
Charlie’s eyes twinkled, and she let out a small laugh. “You tell him, Evie.”
I flushed, scratching the back of my neck. “Ms. Astor.” I corrected myself. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You too, Mr. Hart.”
I leaned in closer to her ear, pausing to smell a hint of vanilla and rose. “I think I liked you a little less clothed.”
I pulled away, and Charlie’s cheeks turned the prettiest crimson color.
“What’d you say, Austin?”
“Nothing, bud.”
“What’s next on the bucket list, Ms. Astor?”
My eyes lingered on hers, holding her gaze a moment longer than necessary.
“I, uh?—”
She was flustered. This was the first time I’d attempted flirting with a woman in so long. After what happened with Nova, using women and wearing the shame I had for what I did to her in so many ways, I couldn’t flirt. Until this very moment, I thought I was broken, unable to see someone as a person I’d wanted to flirt with.
“One item,” I said in encouragement.
Her big amber eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I was completely lost in them. There was a calmness there, an ease that seemed to contrast with the storm constantly brewing inside me. I wondered if she could sense all the broken pieces I tried to keep hidden or if the armor I wore was thick enough that no one noticed the cracks but me.
“I want to visit a lake,” she said softly.
I raised an eyebrow, narrowing my eyes in curiosity.
“Not like Lake Michigan,” she clarified, shaking her head. “I want to find a small, quiet lake. Somewhere I can sit in the silence and watch the sunset sink below the horizon right as the colors explode across the sky, painting everything.”
I took a step closer to her, fully aware that Evie was watching this. I leaned closer to her ear again. “Let’s go find a lake...” I stepped away. “Ms. Astor.”
She looked the other way for a moment before meeting my gaze. “Let’s go, Hot Brother.”
“Ew,” Evie laughed. “You think my brother is cute?”
“No.” Charlie backed away with her hands up like she’d been caught. “Not at all.”
I laughed, unable to help myself as Charlie leaned down and gave Evie’s lovie a gentle squeeze. “See you tomorrow, Evie girl. You have the same beautiful curls your brother does.”
