When they were younger, he’d thought it was cute. Unique. As she became older and his feelings for her had begun to change, it made him think of slow, all-night-long sex.
“Charlie?” Derek blurted her name more loudly than intended.
A set of estranged, familiar eyes shot up to his. “Derek?”
He was damn near struck speechless. Minus his twin, this woman had been his best friend for years. Then, one day, she simply up and left.
She’d married some lawyer and moved to New York City, completely oblivious to the heartache her leaving had caused.
“Hey,” he finally managed to greet her.
“H-hi.” Charlie gave him a small, nervous smile.
Not reaching her eyes, it was nothing like the big, toothy grins she’d given him when they were kids. Looking at her more closely, Derek realized nearly everything about the girl he used to know had changed.
The dark, mahogany hair that had barely brushed her shoulders was much longer, now. And blonde. Her girlish curves were gone; replaced with a more mature, thinner frame.
She’s too fuckin’ thin.
A far cry from the cut-off jeans and tank tops still locked inside his most treasured memories, Charlie was dressed in a pristine white skirt suit and what he assumed were designer heels.
Her blouse appeared to be very delicate, the light from the ceiling glimmering off its pressed collar.Even her makeup looked as though it had been expertly applied and not one, bleached blonde strand of hair was out of place.
This wasn’t the same young woman he remembered. She was still beautiful, of course. Just...different.
Pushing old wounds aside, Derek got his head out of his ass and pulled her in for a hug.
“Well, come here, darlin’.” He wrapped his arms around her tiny frame.
Startled by the show of affection, Charlie barely returned his hug. Disappointed, Derek quickly freed himself from the awkward embrace.
“What are you doin’ in Dallas? Last I heard, you were still in New York.”
“I am.” She glanced at the customers around them. “My h-husband had to come to town for business and invited me along.”
Damn. Hearing that h-word fall off this woman’s lips hurt a hell of a lot more than it should after all these years.
Swallowing it back, he heard himself asking, “How long are you in town? Maybe we could grab a bite to eat and catch up.”
Yeah, dumbass. Because spending an entire afternoon with her will really help the whole movin’ on process.
“Oh, I-I’d love to, but...”
“There you are.” A man’s deep voice cut off whatever excuse she was going to give. “I thought maybe you’d gotten lost.”
A good looking, well-dressed man came up behind Charlie. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he gave Derek a million-dollar smile.
“Charlotte, aren’t you going to introduce me to your new friend?”
Tensing instantly, Charlie glanced back at the man Derek assumed was her husband. She laughed nervously. “He’s not a new friend. This is...Derek. We grew up together.”
The hesitation didn’t come from her not remembering his name. If he didn’t know any better, Derek would’ve sworn she hadn’twantedto say it.
Recognition flickered behind the other man’s cool eyes. “Ah, yes. I do believe you’ve mentioned him a time or two.”
“Derek West.” He held out his hand. “Charlie and her dad lived a few blocks from me when we were younger.”
“Caleb Porter.” The man brought himself around to Charlie’s side to shake his hand. Caleb’s eyes fell across the front of Derek’s shirt, his perfect nose turning up a little more than it already was. “That’s a veryinterestingshirt.”
