out her next move—and to take the trip to Europe she’d been saying for years she was going to take “one of these summers.” That was going to happen this summer. Before she could chicken out or come up with a thousand different reasons not to do something she’d always wanted to do, she logged on to the travel site they used for work and bought a one-way ticket to Paris for early next month.
When her phone dinged with a confirmation email that contained her itinerary, a feeling of pure joy overcame her as she put down the phone and snuggled in to sleep.
If this was what going wild felt like, she couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow would bring.
Chapter Thirteen
“A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike.
And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find after years of struggle
that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.”
—John Steinbeck
After everyone left, Hannah stuck around to help Charley finish cleaning up.
“You don’t have to stay,” Charley said. “I can do it.”
“I don’t mind, and I wanted the chance to talk to you.”
“About?”
“What’s going on with Tyler.” Hannah picked up a towel and began to dry the dishes that Charley was washing.
“Everything is fine with him. I don’t want you to think otherwise.”
“I don’t. I see you guys together. I can tell you’re both happy.”
“We are.”
“So why do you think he’s about to upset the applecart?”
“I don’t know. It’s just a feeling I have.”
“Let me ask you something… Would being married to him really be so awful?”
“No! Not at all. I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I have no question in my mind about that. I just don’t get why we have to make it official and legal to do that. I love the idea of us being together because we want to be, not because we’re legally bound to each other. I know that’s hard for you to understand after having been married twice.”
“Not so hard. I get where you’re coming from. It means something to you that both of you are here only because you want to be, not because you have to be.”
“Yes, that,” Charley said, sighing. “I know it’s an unconventional philosophy, especially in a family like ours that’s all about marriage and kids. I’ve just never wanted that for myself, and being in love with Tyler hasn’t changed my mind about any of it.”
“You need to make sure he understands that.”
“I know, but the thought of revisiting that subject makes my stomach hurt. I want him to be happy, too, and part of me thinks if it really means that much to him, I’d go along with it. That’s how much I love him.”
“You shouldn’t sacrifice something that’s important to you to make someone else happy. That doesn’t work long-term.”
“What if I’m all wrong about this, and I end up screwing up the best thing to ever happen to me?”
“It’s not wrong to be true to yourself, Charley. You can’t lose yourself in the process of making someone else happy.”
“How did you get so wise about these things?”
“I’m wise about everything. You should know that by now.”
Charley rolled her eyes and laughed. “Jeez, I walked right into that trap.”
Hannah laughed and then hugged her sister. “You don’t need to worry about screwing things up with Tyler. That man is wild about you.”
“Yes, he is,” Tyler said from the doorway, startling them.
“Hey.” Charley released Hannah and turned to him. “I didn’t hear the door.” On a quick glance, Charley noticed his dark, wavy hair was messy from the knit hat he’d removed, and his blue eyes looked bluer than usual. He was wearing contacts more often these days, and she was still getting used to him without the glasses he usually wore. What had he heard them say?
“I gathered that,” he said. “Did you ladies have a nice time?”
“We did, as always,” Hannah said. “But I’m going to head home to see if Nolan succeeded in putting Callie to bed.” She kissed Charley and Tyler on her way out. “Talk to you tomorrow.”
“Thanks for the cleanup help, Han.”
“Any time.”
After the door closed behind Hannah, Charley took a tentative look at Tyler. “I’m not sure what you overheard.”
“Just your sister saying I’m wild about you, which I am, but I’m wondering why she felt the need to remind you of that.” He came to her, placed his hands on her face, compelling her to look up at