Chasing Charli - Kat Mizera Page 0,31

of uncertainty from her. He wanted to get her to talk to him about the things in her past that gave her those trust issues, to reach a deeper level of intimacy with her. He just wasn’t sure how.

“I won’t see you until after the game,” he told her that next morning as he got ready to go. “But I’ll call.”

“Don’t worry about me. You just focus on hockey.”

“We talk tonight to practice English, yes?”

“Sure.” She leaned up and kissed him, instantly giving him an erection.

He looked down ruefully. “This is good, but this is also bad.”

She ran her hand over it through his sweats. “It’s pretty impressive you can still do that after how much sex we’ve had the last two days.”

“Never enough,” he chuckled, wrapping an arm around her and drawing her closer.

“My lady parts could probably use a rest,” she said, smiling up at him.

“You rest. When I see you after the game, you’re going to need it.

13

The new dishwasher arrived the following day and she was so excited she was practically bouncing on her toes as it was installed. Her friend Kendra was coming over for dinner since Miikka was busy tonight and she hadn’t seen her outside of school in weeks. She was looking forward to having some girl time, though she wasn’t sure what to tell her friend about Miikka. Neither of them had dated much since they’d met, so it would be a new dynamic for them.

“Hey.” Kendra came in with a grin, holding two bags.

“You brought presents?” Charli asked, taking one bag from her.

“One bag has wine, the other has food.”

“I told you I’d make lasagna.”

“Yeah, but that’s so much work and you don’t have a dishwasher. I brought paper plates, garlic bread, and frozen lasagna, so we can toss out the foil pan it comes in. All we’ll have to wash will be glasses and some utensils.” Her brown eyes twinkled with mischief.

“Well, you’re a thoughtful friend, but surprise!” Charli led her into the kitchen and pointed to the new dishwasher. She got out two wine glasses, opened the wine and poured them each a glass as Kendra examined the new machine and they talked.

“So tell me everything,” Kendra said. “I mean, you went from zero male activity to sleeping with a hunky hockey dude who buys you expensive presents.”

Charli laughed. “He’s wonderful. Initially I thought he was kind of goofy but it’s really a front because he’s embarrassed about his English. He’s actually very sweet and caring. I’ve never met anyone like him. It’s kind of scary.”

“Why?”

“I tend to get invested quickly,” Charli said after a moment. “I’ve been on my own a long time and sometimes I think it’s easier this way. After what my exes did to me, and the repercussions of that, I don’t know that I’ll ever fully trust anyone.”

“Your high school and college boyfriends did shitty things to you,” Kendra said softly. “And your parents are truly assholes, but you can’t let all of that define you. You’re only twenty-four and have proven you’re strong enough to get past all that. Even if Miikka turns out to be a dud, you have a lifetime to find the right guy.”

“It all boils down to trust, you know?”

“I think it’s yourself you don’t trust,” Kendra said thoughtfully. “You’re afraid you’ll pick another loser so instead of giving guys a chance, you don’t trust yourself so you don’t trust them either.”

“Oh, that’s way too deep for a lazy afternoon drinking wine,” Charli said, shaking her head. “I’m going to put the lasagna in the oven.”

“I’ll pour more wine.”

They talked and drank for the next hour and were starting to giggle when the doorbell rang.

“Are you expecting anyone?” Kendra asked.

“I don’t think so.” Charli walked over to the door, still carrying her wine glass, and found herself face-to-face with Miikka. “Hi! I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Hi.” He smiled at her but it faltered slightly when he spotted the wine glass in her hand. “Are you busy?”

“My friend Kendra is here, but come on in. You can meet her.”

“Hello.” Miikka held his hand out to Kendra. “I’m Miikka Laasonen.”

“Hi. Kendra LaSalle. Nice to meet you.” She shook his hand. “Want a glass of wine?”

“I shouldn’t stay,” he said quickly, glancing at Charli. “You have company.”

“Oh, have a glass of wine with us,” Kendra said, already up and heading to the kitchen. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

Charli resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Kendra couldn’t be more obvious if she