She nodded and took hold of his hand. “Come on inside.”
Ben clung to her hand as she led him up the steps to the front door. He never wanted to let go. He’d spent far too much of his life living five thousand miles away from her. Now he was by her side, he couldn’t imagine letting her out of his sight.
“What do you think?” she asked. “Do you like it?”
Ben tore his eyes away from her face and cast a quick glance around the house. “It’s a great place. What I like most about it is that you’re here.”
She grinned. “That’s funny, what I like best about it is that you’re here.”
He smiled and slid his arms around her waist drawing her to him. She looped her arms up around his neck and pecked his lips.
“I can’t believe we’re finally in the same place.”
“You’d better believe it, Charlie. And even better than that, you’d better get used to it.”
She nodded and hugged him even tighter.
Looking down into her eyes he could see a hint of sadness. His heart sank. “What is it, Charlie? Please tell me you’re going to stick around long enough to get used to it.”
She searched his face. “I will if you want me to. But, Ben, I need you to know that if you don’t want me, it’s okay.”
“Of course I want you, Charlie! I’ve always wanted you. I’ve always wantedus. I’ve waited more than half my life for you to come back here, to come back to me. How could you think that I wouldn’t want you now?”
She let go and stepped away from him, turning to look out the window at the lake. “I have a confession to make.”
Ben sucked in a deep breath. His heart was racing, and not in a good way anymore. He dreaded hearing what she was about to say, but he had to know. “What?”
She turned back around and met his gaze. “I arrived here last night. I wanted to surprise you.”
He nodded, waiting for her to go on.
“I was awake really early this morning. Getting old sucks, the time difference gets to me every time these days. Anyway, I couldn’t sleep and I was drinking coffee and I remembered how Joe used to drink his coffee behind the restaurant every morning. I thought it would be awesome to go down there and find him.”
Ben’s heart raced even faster. He had a feeling he knew what she was going to say.
She raised an eyebrow at him. “I didn’t find Joe down there.”
Ben shook his head, he knew that much already. A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. Ben’s chest felt tight, he hated that he’d caused her pain.
She sniffed. “Unfortunately, I did see you and Angel. And, I’m sorry, but I heard a little of what the two of you were talking about—before I turned around and ran away.”
Ben stared at her for a long moment. His mind was racing along with his heart now. What had he said to Angel? What had she said to him?
Tears were rolling freely down Charlotte’s cheeks. She smiled despite them. “I’m so sorry, Ben. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I just … I went down there looking for Joe. I saw her sitting outside looking upset and I thought she might need someone to talk to. I started up the steps to see if she was okay, and then … Then you appeared. It seemed like you were all she needed.”
“Charlie. It’s not what you think.”
“I don’t know what I think, Ben. I ran away because it’s none of my business. I shouldn’t have been there. I shouldn’t have heard what the two of you were saying to each other. And let’s be honest, I shouldn’t expect you to wait for me.”
Ben shook his head. “It’s not like you were deliberately spying on me. And it’s not like you demanded I wait for you. I chose to wait for you, Charlie. I’ve waited all this time.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “I’ve always wanted to wait for you. I’ve never wanted anyone else.”
“But now you do?”
“No! Charlie, I want you; I’ve always wanted you. Only you.”
Charlotte met his gaze. “But you like her, don’t you?”
Ben nodded and sighed. “I’m not going to lie to you, Charlie.”
