sure.”
“I’m five for five. I doubt my losing streak will happen anytime soon. I hardly make a bet where I have a chance of losing.”
“This time will be different.”
“We’ll see.” His tone was confident, so sure.
As dinner continued, all I could think of was Charlie. And I didn’t want to leave Chicago, not talking to her.
After dinner, I ended up at the pool house because I needed to see her.
I tapped on the door, and when she opened it, I swore I was almost knocked on my ass, just at the sight of her.
Her hair was up in a messy bun. Only in a T-shirt and shorts, she looked stunning. Her right cheek had a streak of yellow paint, and her paintbrush was in one hand.
“Connor.” Her voice was shaky, her face hesitant, but after a beat, she stepped back, so I could come in.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been picking up your calls.” Her eyes dropped to the floor. “I just … I wanted to make it easier on both of us.”
“I understand.”
Silence spanned the space between us, and I looked behind her to see a canvas with splatters of yellows and oranges in abstract form.
“It looks like you’re busy, but I couldn’t leave without saying good-bye.”
Her gaze flicked upward to meet mine, and my fingers twitched.
The need to touch her, to hold her, was unbearable, but I kept my hands by my sides.
“I was just beginning a new piece.”
She moved farther in the room, and I followed her in. After placing her paintbrush in a cup, she wiped her hands on her shirt, which was already covered with dried-up paint, and she turned to face me.
“I’m not really good with good-byes.” She pushed her toe into the carpet, her gaze flicking toward the floor again.
One.
Two.
Three long beats later was all I could take.
I stepped into her, forcing her to meet my eyes. “I don’t have a hard time usually. But this time is different. It seems especially hard to say good-bye to you, Charlie.”
Her bottom lip trembled, and I was determined not to make this a sad good-bye.
“I came to tell you that my father has approved the plans for our concept. The marketing team is working on it.”
She blinked up at me, her eyes lighting up, her whole demeanor changing. “Really?”
“Really.” My lips tipped up to match hers. “And … they want you to join the marketing team to make sure that our concepts are taken all the way to the end.”
“Wait, what?” She reeled back.
“Yeah …” I took another step toward her, needing to close the distance. “Why not, Charlie? Computers is not where you need to be. You need to be in a department that will spark your creativity. You’re at a company that you already love. Why can’t you be at a place where you also love what you’re doing?”
Her eyebrows knitted together, and doubt plagued her features. “I don’t know.”
I placed my hands on her shoulders, peering down at her with a confidence that she needed to feel herself. “What don’t you know? You need to have more trust in your abilities. You know that you want to say yes.”
She nodded. “I do.”
“You do?”
She smiled. “I do.”
Her words brought me back to our time on the lakefront, her in her beautiful dress, stunning, and us reciting our fake vows. Immediately, my chest tightened.
“Then, I’ll tell my parents you will take the job.” I pointed at her when she began to speak. “Don’t even try to talk yourself out of this one.”
“But—”
And before she got the words out, I kissed her.
Because I wanted to.
She sighed and melted into my arms, right where she was meant to be.
My kiss was soft and sensual, and I threaded my fingers through her hair, palming the back of her neck, bringing her closer.
The feel of her against me was heavenly, and I never wanted to let her go.
But when she placed a hand on my chest, I let her push me away because that was the right thing to do.
I knew it was wrong to want her, knowing I wouldn’t be here in the morning.
Charlie
We were breathing hard from that kiss. And I wanted to give in to him, but I didn’t think my heart could take it, knowing that when I woke up tomorrow and when I went to work, he wouldn’t be there. I had to keep part of me intact.
“Thank you.” I placed a light hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat thud rapidly under my