Chapter 1
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Eleven years ago...
A swarm of butterflies fluttered inside Charlie Stone's belly as she stared at her reflection. Even though she'd already done so countless times in the last hour, she checked again to make sure everything was exactly as it should be.
From the curls in her shoulder-length, mahogany hair to the pink polish on her toes, Charlie had taken the extra time to make sure she looked her very best. She'd never been much of a girly-girl, but tonight had to be perfect. And for good reason.
She was going to see Derek tonight. For the first time in months, Charlie was going to be able to spend time with her best friend.
They'd eat and laugh and talk like they always did. She'd get to see his incredible smile and hear his infectious laugh. And hopefully, for the first time ever, Charlie would finally get to taste those gorgeous, kiss-worthy lips.
Derek had left their small Texas town six months ago to complete BUD/S training and was now an honest-to-goodness Navy SEAL. Her insides squealed with excitement for him.
While he was away, she and Derek had kept in touch through emails and texts. In the beginning, he'd kept his side of things light. Lately, however, his messages had started to take on a different tone.
At first, Charlie had blown it all off as her wishful thinking going into overdrive. But as she'd gone back over every text and email with fresh eyes and an open mind, Charlie was convinced she wasn't alone in her feelings.
He was still the same sweet, caring guy he’d always been, but something was just...different. Things between them seemed to have become more personal, which was exactly what Charlie had hoped for.
A few years ago, when her feelings toward Derek had first begun to change, their four-year age difference seemed much too large to ever cross. Now that she was eighteen and Charlie was officially an adult, the gap was no longer an issue.
She just prayed Derek felt the same.
Charlie needed him to think of her as more than just his buddy who lived down the street with the crappy house and even crappier parents. She longed for Derek to finally see her as a woman and not just the friend he and Eric, his twin brother, had grown up with.
From the sound of the messages he'd sent over the last few weeks, she thought maybe he had.
No, he hadn’t actually come out and said he liked her as more than a friend. But hehadsaid a few things here and there that were definitely on the side of flirtatious.
More than ready to find out, Charlie grabbed her purse and keys and left her tiny bedroom. Thankfully, her dad was working and wouldn't be home until morning. Otherwise, the short, denim skirt she'd bought and then promptly hidden would’ve caused a battle of mega proportions.
He wouldn't have hit her over it. He’d always saved that special treatment for her mother. But since she'd left them both two years ago, her dad pretty much acted as though Charlie didn't exist. Until he drank.
When her father was drunk, he’d spew words of hatred and anger that always cut her deep. Words she'd never forget.
Charlie's phone dinged, making her smile. It was the special tone she'd set for when Derek texted.
With all thoughts of her dad's alcoholic rages gone, she hurried to open the message.
You still coming? Mom said dinner will be ready in 10.
Charlie typed back as fast as her fingers would go.
Leaving now. Can't wait to see you!
Her phone dinged again.
You, either. Brought a friend I met at boot camp home with me. Didn't want them alone during the holidays. I think you two will really hit it off.
It was just like Derek to bring one of the guys home with him so they wouldn't have to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas alone. He’d always had such a big heart.
Charlie responded...
Be there in two. Keep your panties on. Look forward to meeting your friend.
With a bounce in her step, she walked out the door and down the broken sidewalk to her car. It wasn't much to look at, but it was hers. She'd bought it with the money she'd saved over the last three years while working at the grocery store in town.
