says slyly.
I shake my head. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. What if it all turns out bad? What if we keep fighting in person?”
“I doubt that. I saw you both out there just now. There is so much already between you, yet you’re both as stubborn as each other. Just open your heart and let someone in. Trust me. You’ve got this. It’s time to enjoy life, Charity. Allow him to show you a love that you haven’t experienced,” Paislee whispers, but her words ring loud and clear in my messed-up head.
It’s time to let love in.
What is going on in there? One minute she was fine, and the next everything about her changed. Perhaps these kinds of situations with everyone here might be too much for her. But when she told me what her father had done to her, I needed to see her and know she was okay.
After I’d read her message, anger had rushed through me like a bush fire with wind behind it. If that man were still alive, I probably would kill him myself. How could a father do that to his daughter? Is this why she’s so defensive, always got her guard up? I have a desperate urge to take a sledgehammer to her walls and force her to let me in, but that’s not going to work. Slow and steady will win the race with her.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I send her a quick message while she’s still in the room with Paislee.
Jase: You could never say anything wrong. We may not know each other very well, but I want you to know I am here, no matter what. I’m so sorry you went through what you did with your father. I wish I could take that pain away from you. So, it’s your birthday soon… Tell me one thing you wanted that you never got.
As I hit send, the bedroom door flies open, and laughter filters out.
“Hey, what did we miss?” Elsie asks. My focus stays on Charity. Her eyes shine as though she’s been crying. What went on in there?
“Oh, nothing. I wanted her opinion on something.” Paislee shrugs off Elsie’s question, and Elsie doesn’t push it, which is strange.
Charity pulls her phone from her jeans pocket and smiles down at it. The weight sitting on my chest lifts slightly. Still doesn’t help the anger I feel toward the man who hurt her.
Her fingers glide over her phone, and then she comes and sits down in her seat, and again, her leg brushes my arm. My phone vibrates in my hand, alerting me to another message. Thankfully, I’d thought to put it on silent before I came in the dorm.
The way she makes me feel is nothing like I’ve experienced with girls in the past. She’s different. She’s special. Warmth hits my shoulder, and I realize it’s her hand again. Tingles spread from my chest and down my body. Again, I reach up and take her hand. This time, I don’t take it away. I want her to know I care. I curl my fingers around hers to keep it in place. I can’t help but wonder what she is thinking. What did her message say?
“Do you want another drink, Charity?” Elsie asks.
“Yeah, sure. Thanks.” She sounds happier.
“So, everyone, Charity and I share a birthday weekend. We’re hoping you guys will host the party of a lifetime next Saturday at your place.” Paislee turns to her brother, Parker; she has puppy-dog eyes for him.
He’s silent for a moment before answering. “Yeah, that will be fine. We have a game here next week.” Even if he said no, I would have offered up my place. Charity needs a birthday party. She needs to experience what good friends do for each other.
Paislee claps excitedly. “Yay, planning time.”
Hours later, it’s after midnight, and we’re all sitting around watching one of the Marvel movies. I think it’s the last Avengers. I haven’t been able to concentrate since Paislee moved to the ground beside me. She lies, stretched out, with her hands tucked under the pillow her head is resting on. Our hands are almost touching. Heat radiates between us; it’s almost electric.
I stare at her. I wish I could take away all the pain she’s experienced. Her hand shifts and is right beside mine. My fingers inch closer and closer. Swallowing the nervous lump in my throat, I glide my pinky against the side of her hand. This is the kind