“Berta?” I ask, quirking a brow.
“Berta Rose,” she says in a tone that implies I’m a little slow as her eyes shoot to her abandoned vehicle. “Figured she needed a strong name to give her an extra boost of confidence. Not that she needs it. Berta is a total badass. You know what they say? Tiny but mighty.”
I don’t warrant that with a reply as I shift the truck into gear and pull out of the lot and onto the driveway that never ends.
“Why Tink?” she asks after some time has passed in silence.
“Huh?” I grunt, glancing at her striking side profile and trying to remember what her question was. She rolls her face toward me, regarding me with curious eyes. “Earlier, when you told me to get in the truck, you called me Tink. I was just wondering why thatis.” I keep my eyes on the road, biting at the corner of my mouth before I decide to go with the truth. “Because the first time I saw you, you reminded me of some kind of mythical creature, like a wood nymph or a fairy. You know? Tinkerbell.”
Charlie purses her lips and lifts a shoulder in a shrug like this is not the weirdest nickname she’s ever been labeled with. Then again, the woman christened her car Berta Rose, so I’m not surprised my little pet name doesn’t faze her. Seemingly satisfied with my explanation, she kicks off her flip-flops and rests her dainty feet on the dash before she turns on the radio and lowers her window. When she finds a station that doesn’t crackle, she sits back with a grin and starts singing along to “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus while her right hand performs some type of hypnotic waving motion in the wind. Of course, her voice is just as perfect as the rest of her. Soft and raspy, the melodic timbre goes straight to my groin.
I shift my hips, subtly adjusting myself to avoid drawing attention to my hardening dick, and for the rest of the drive I do my best to keep my eyes fixed on the pavement ahead, and not on the alluring siren sprawled out in the passenger seat.
seven
Cole
“This is Moose Harbor?” I ask as we pass the welcome sign and immediately hit the town center.
“This is it. Isn’t it cute?”
I squint as I stare through the windshield and take in the main drag. There’s a small hardware and liquor store, a post office, a supermarket that is definitely no Walmart, and some kind of snack shack, where a surprising number of people are currently lined up for hot dogs and ice cream. Charlie directs me into the parking lot of a quaint looking café and her feet hit the pavement before I have time to turn off the engine. I scramble to catch up, and when I do, and she takes in my pinched expression, she gives my shoulder a pat.
“I know it’s probably smaller than you expected, but it’ll grow on you. Just give it a chance.”
I grunt and hold the door open for her as she ducks beneath my arm and squeezes past me in the narrow space. Her soft breasts brush against my front, as her breath fans over the side of my neck, and her vanilla scent envelops my senses. Subtle instrumental jazz floats through the interior, barely noticeable over the chatter in the small room. It’s packed, and I’m beginning to think we won’t be able to secure a table when Charlie motions me to follow her around the counter and into a booth right beside the state-of-the-art coffee machine.
“This is for staff only, but Dee won’t mind. Being friends with the owner does have its perks.”
“Seems that way,” I reply as I lean back and scan the chalkboard on the opposite wall for daily specials. Eggs Benedict and blueberry pancakes seem to be on the menu today, and I decide a couple of poached eggs drowned in a gallon of rich hollandaise is exactly what the doctor ordered.
“I have to use the restroom. Could you order me the Hungry Man breakfast and a cappuccino? Just tell the server it’s for Charlie. They know how I like it.”
“No problem,” I reply and watch her cross the room with that damn swing in her step. Fuck, that woman has curves in all theright places. It’s like my eyes are glued to her backside and I have to make a conscious effort to tear my gaze away before I start growling like a rabid animal. Once I’m alone, I slide my phone out of my back pocket and place it on the table in front of me, flinching when I see yet another text from my best friend. I’m so consumed by guilt I don’t even notice the woman sidling up to me until she speaks.
“What can I get you?” She’s smirking when I jump about a foot and press a hand to my sternum.
“Jesus, lady. Has anyone ever told you that you move like a damn ninja.” She barks out a laugh, her lips stretching into a wide smile that exposes the cutest little gap between her upper front teeth. She’s gorgeous, with her pale complexion and inky straight hair that sits just above her shoulders. Her lean physique hints at an active lifestyle, and I can’t help but think that Mads would love her. She’s exactly his type. Sexy and good-natured. Confident, too. I can tell by the way her steely blue gaze is locked on mine, as she clicks the end of her pen against her toned forearm and waits for me to recover enough to place my order. When I mention Charlie’s name, her eyebrows shoot into her hairline.
“Oh my God. You’re the diva?”
“Pardon me?”
“Never mind. That’s interesting,” the woman I can only assume is Dee murmurs as she drags her eyes over me like I’m some kindof fucked up science experiment. When she doesn’t say more and things go from weird to straight up awkward, I clear my throat and subtly lean sideways, looking around her to figure out what in the hell is taking Charlie so long. And like she can sense my unease, she barrels toward me with purpose, nostrils flaring when she notices her friend looming over me.
“Dee,” she greets, confirming the woman’s identity. Hugs and pointed looks are exchanged before Charlie slides into the bench seat beside me. “I see you already met Cole. Cole, this is my good friend, Dee. I hope it’s okay that we grabbed this table. It’s a nuthouse in here this morning.”
Dee waves her off like it’s no skin off her back. “The first Saturday of the month is always busier than usual, with the farmers’ market bringing both tourists, as well as locals into town. But not to worry. I’ll tell Bobby to put a rush order on your food. We all know how crabby you get when you’re hungry, and we wouldn’t want to expose Cole to your alter-ego just yet. Let him get used to the balanced version of you first.”
“Har har,” Charlie growls, rolling her eyes before turning to me. “I’m really not that bad.”
Dee scoffs. “Last time you went too long between meals, you made my poor barista cry because he forgot the whipped cream on your white chocolate mocha.”
“Did not.”
“Did too. I was right there when he turned away to wipe the tears off his cheeks.”
“Just get me my damn food,” she says through gritted teeth, crossing her arms and pushing her ample breasts closer to her chin. Suddenly, I’m starved, and I’m not sure this particular craving can be satisfied with a hearty breakfast. The willowy café owner chuckles and throws me a cheeky wink before she turns away to place our order and take care of her other paying customers.
