by Kelsie Rae
“Meh.” She bats her hand at me. “You know what I mean. I’m just saying that maybe your affinity for driving the opposite sex away isn’t because they aren’t interested, but because you aren’t.”
Her assessment hits the nail on the head, though I refuse to admit it out loud. My face falls.
“There are only two options I can think of. Either you’re gay, which I don’t really get that vibe from you, or you’re in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same way.”
“Ding, ding, ding.” I wave my finger in the air like a little flag in surrender. “We have a winner.”
“It’s okay to recognize that you’re not happy. Just don’t waste too much time there, or else you’ll wake up one day, years later, and look back at your life with more regret than you should.”
“You sound like you’re talking from personal experience.”
Patting my knee, she pushes herself up. “Sure am. But it led me to Rhett, so I guess I can’t complain. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Sounds good. Thanks for chatting.”
“Anytime, Charlie. And remember, you’re a babe. Don’t let anyone make you feel differently.”
I smile, trying not to let her see how quickly I brush aside her compliment. “Thanks.”
Bonnie and I take it easy on the way back from Central Park. When we reach Forever Grey, I swing open the door, and she races for the water bowl, lapping up the water like it’s the best thing she’s ever tasted.
“How’d she do?” Suzette asks. She’s the only person I’ve ever dealt with when picking up and dropping off the pups, but I don’t really know her story.
“Awesome. We got a good run in.”
“Good, ‘cause she’s been going stir crazy for the past few days.”
“Aww, poor girl.” Squatting down, I give her another scratch, and she returns my affection with a slobbery kiss to my arm.
I wipe the wet kiss away on my leggings, laughing lightly as Suzette joins in.
“She likes you,” Suzette notes.
“And I like her,” I admit. “I just wish I had more time.”
“It’s the only finite thing on the planet,” Suzette murmurs. Her sage comment makes me pause as she continues, “But every little bit helps. If you have any friends who would be interested in helping, I’d love it if you’d spread the word. We recently received three more greyhounds, and we’re low on volunteers. There’s only so many miles I can walk in a day.” She heaves a dramatic sigh, which only brings a bigger grin to my face.
“I might be able to twist my best friend’s arm to tag along one of these days, but he’s been pretty busy lately. He got an internship at Montague Enterprises, and it’s…intense.”
“No freaking way.” Leaning closer, she drops her voice low as if she’s about to reveal a secret. “Did you know that the owner adopted a rescue from here once?”
“Seriously?”
She nods, and my respect for Levi’s insanely rich boss grows.
“Yeah. Him and his wife, Bianca, still try to visit on Sundays whenever they can.”
“That’s super cool,” I admit.
“I know, right? They’re the most down-to-earth couple ever, and you have to see their cute little girl. She’s absolutely adorable!”
“Aww…I love kids.”
“Me too. They’re right up there with these mongrels.” She rubs Bonnie’s head. “Now, back to the juicy gossip. You said, ‘he.’”
“Huh?” I ask, confused.
“You said you’d usually ask your best friend to come along, but he’s been really busy lately.”
Aaand, I just learned that Suzette’s not great at boundaries. Noted.
“Oh, come on,” she razzes. “Who’s he?”
Just, ya know, my everything.
I lick my lips and search for a more appropriate answer that I can tell a mere acquaintance because that’s all Suzette is. “He’s uh…he’s my best friend.”
“And?”
“There is no and.”
Pursing her lips, Suzette taps her forefinger against the plump flesh for a solid three seconds before she begins. “Let me tell ya something, Charlie. Working with animals all day, every day has made me a master at reading nonverbal cues. And this right here,”—she motions to my blank face—“is speaking loud and clear.”
“Is it now?” I challenge, playing along with her insane accusation, my normal barriers slowly crumbling the longer she prods. “And what’s my face saying?”
“That I need to meet him.”
“Like I said, he’s super busy right now.”
“Oh, come on!” She stomps her foot. “I need some details if you’re not going to let me meet him.”
Feeling generous and weirdly chatty for a girl like me, I cave. “What do you want to know?”
“Name?”
“Levi.”
“Looks?”
My mouth quirks as I mentally pull up an image of him. “Good?”
Laughing, she keeps digging. “How long have you known him?”
Finally. Something I’m comfortable with answering. “For forever. My mom died when I was little, and we lived next to each other, so Levi’s mom started to watch me during the day while my dad was at work,” I explain.
“Oo…does he know you like him?”
Cheeks flaming, I shake my head. “Nope. And he never will.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’s my best friend. I wouldn’t want to ruin that just because I’m curious about what he looks like naked, ya know?”
“But what if it’s mutual?” she argues, obviously invested in the story. “What if he wants to look at you naked just as much as you want to look at him?”
“Trust me. That’s not the case on this one.”
“How do you know?”
Shrugging, I look down at my sneakers and rub my toe along the tile floor. “It just isn’t.”
“Hmmm…I think you should get him down here. Then I can see for myself and make my own hypothesis. You know, since I’m a master at nonverbal cues and all.”
With my face scrunched, I weigh the scenario before looking up to see her puppy dog eyes.
“Come on! It’ll be fun. Like our own little secret mission, and I promise Levi won’t suspect a thing.”
“You mean he won’t know that you’re analyzing him like a hawk to see if he wants to see me naked?”
She winks. “Yeah. That.”
“You’re crazy.”
“I’m fun!” she argues before adding, “And maybe a little human deprived.”
With another laugh, I check the time on my cell then slip it back into the pockets sewn into my leggings. “I’m gonna go with the latter. I’ll let ya know if I can twist his arm into coming or not, but don’t get your hopes up. I wasn’t kidding about how crazy his work schedule is.”
“Fiiine. I guess I’ll practice a little patience. Have a good one, Charlie. And thanks for wearing Bonnie out.”
“Anytime. See ya!”
Heading outside, I jump onto the subway and take a seat on one of the hard plastic chairs lining both sides of the train. Resting my head back against the cool window, I close my eyes and let the hum of the transit car lull me into relaxation. Most say they hate the subway. I love it, though I don’t use it half as much as I want to. Gotta get those steps in. It’s where I think. Where I clear my thoughts. Where I let someone else take the reins to get me from point A to point B while I turn off my mind for ten minutes.
Ten. Sweet. Minutes.
However, after a few of those blissful minutes of serenity, my skin starts to prickle with awareness. Peeking one eye open, I scan the half-full car before landing on the culprit. With a haughty glare, I cross my arms and shift in my seat to give him my back.
The train pulls to a stop. People around me ebb and flow with the foot traffic. Some reaching their destination. Others jumping on board to get to theirs. And a few who search for an empty seat to take the weight off thei
r aching feet.
When the chair squeaks beside me, a quiet groan escapes me.
So help me, if it’s—
“Hey,” Conner greets.
With a quick glance over my shoulder, I drop my head back in defeat.
“Long day?” he presses.
“It’s turning into one,” I mutter under my breath before swiveling in my seat to face him.
Mouth quirking in amusement, he loosens the tie around his neck, bringing my attention to the long column of his throat and his five o’clock shadow.
“Do you usually ride the subway?” he asks. “I’m surprised I haven’t seen you before.”
“Do you usually talk to strangers on the subway?” I counter. “I’m surprised they still let you on here.”
His deep chuckle reverberates through me as he defends himself. “Hey, I’m an upstanding citizen, and we’re not strangers, remember? You and I go way back.”
“Yup. And we both know how unhealthy it is to live in the past.”
“Which is why you should give me another chance.”
“I’m good. Thanks, though.”
“Come on, Charlie. I was an ass in elementary school. I had shitty friends, and my parents were going through a divorce. It screws up little kids, ya know? All I’m asking for is one date. That’s it.”
There’s something about the sincerity in his voice that almost makes me crumble. Then I remember all the mornings I’d stare at myself in the mirror, running my little hands through my cropped haircut with tears in my eyes, begging my dad to let me stay home so that I wouldn’t have to face Asshat Conner Daniels.
Seems fate makes the decision for me when I hear the conductor announce our next stop.
“Gotta go, Conner. Sorry about your parents’ divorce.”
Then I stand up and leave.
Chapter Eight
Levi
Mouth full of foam, I brush my teeth while trying to figure out if the data I’d collected for a report managed to reflect the changes in the market over the past year. A dull headache threatens to surface, but I push it aside. I don’t have time for that shit.
I’m rinsing my mouth when my phone vibrates.
Charlie: Hey.
Me: Hey.
Charlie: Is your roommate stalking me?
Furrowing my brows, I type my reply.
Me: I don’t think so? Why?
Charlie: I ran into him again. Coincidence? Debatable.
Me: Probably a coincidence. But I’ll talk to him if you want me to.
My protective instincts flare at the thought, but I wait to bust Conner’s ass in case Charlie wants to handle it herself. She’s a big girl and can fight her own battles. But I’m also not against battling them for her if she ever needs me. Especially if they involve a guy who’s sniffing around something that doesn’t belong to him.
She doesn’t respond right away, so I take a second to throw on a fresh T-shirt then hang my black towel back on the hook.
Charlie: Meh. Don’t waste your breath. Just curious. How’s your internship going? Any updates?
Me: Not really. Feeling burnt out. Want to meet for a run tomorrow or something?
Charlie: Ooo…yes, please! Want to meet at Forever Grey tomorrow?
Me: What’s that?
Charlie: It’s a dog lover’s dream, my friend. A dog lover’s dream. What time works for you? I know work is crazy….
I sort through my schedule before shaking my head.
Me: Either at the asscrack of dawn or late at night. Preference?
Charlie: You know I’m not a night owl.
Me: Ass crack of dawn it is.
Charlie: Perfect. Wanna meet at Get Baked? It’s only a couple blocks from Forever Grey.
Me: Sounds good.
Once I’m finished typing my response, I open the bathroom door to see Conner on the other side.
“Hey.” Lifting my chin, I step around him with the intention of collapsing onto my bed and sleeping like the dead. Charlie doesn’t want me to interfere, so I won’t. On my way to my room, Conner stops me.
“Hey. Can I talk to you for a sec?”
My suspicion spikes, along with a few instincts I’d rather not address when I’m so damn tired, so I clear my throat and say, “Yeah. What’s up?”
We’ve been sharing a place since our sophomore year of college. After we received our internship offers, this two-bedroom apartment showed up for rent. We figured it was a convenient coincidence and signed the lease a week later.
“It’s about Charlie.”
A sardonic laugh slips out of me.
Of course, it would be about her.
“She mentioned you were stalking her. Should I be worried?”
Grabbing the back of his neck, he looks to the ceiling and releases a low groan, but doesn’t answer me.
“Dude, you okay?” Maybe I should be worried.
“Yeah. I just…I can’t get her out of my head.”
“You should try harder,” I quip.
“Or I should stop fighting it.”
Pulling back, I study the guy crowding the hallway who’s keeping me from going to bed. The bags under his eyes. The hunched shoulders. The defeated pussy who was once my confident friend.
“What do you mean?” I probe.
“There’s just something about her….” His voice trails off, and I can see the wheels turning in his head as he tries to piece together the enigma that is Charlie Bannon.
He’s not the only one that’s tried to figure her out, and he sure as hell won’t be the last, either. There were guys all throughout high school that wanted a night with her, but I was always able to convince them it was a terrible idea. They only wanted one thing. And Charlie was way too good for any of them. I don’t think she knows how many times I’ve had to intervene and keep her from dating assholes. I don’t really care, either. When the right guy comes along, I’ll be there to congratulate them. But until then, it’s hands-off.
“Yeah. She’s definitely one of a kind,” I admit.
“I just know that if I don’t go after her, I’ll regret it.”
“And I know that she’s not going to give you a chance. Sorry, man. But you don’t know Charlie the way I do.”
“Exactly. Which is why I want you to help me convince her to give me a chance.”
With a dry laugh, I slap him on the shoulder. “Conner, I have enough shit on my plate. I don’t have time to coach you through your relationship problems.”
“We both have enough shit on our plates, man. You’re not the only one drowning at Montague Enterprises. They do this to weed out the weak, but once you’re in, you’re in. They’re one of the top companies to work for in the US, and their turnover rate is one of the lowest.”
“You don’t need to remind me, Conner,” I grit out. “I’ve done just as much research as you.”
“Yeah. And so you know how much this internship means.”
“I do.”
“So, what would you say if I was willing to give up my spot if you helped me get Charlie?”
I scoff. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not,” he replies, stone-cold sober.
Needing to sit down, I wander to the family room and take a seat on the couch. Conner follows and rests on the chair across from me.
There’s a silence that permeates the room as my mind digests his comment. After a few brief seconds, I clarify, “So, you’re saying that you’re willing to withdraw your resume for the final position if I help you get a date with my best friend?”
“Not just a date. I want a real shot with her.”
“I can’t make her date you, Conner.”
I’m not sure I’d want to, anyway. Sure, Conner’s a pretty good guy. I guess. He’s never been one to sleep around, and he always opens the door for the old lady across the hall. Hell, he’s a better guy than I’ll ever be. But the thought of him actually dating my best friend makes my stomach roll.
“I’m not asking you to,” he re
plies with his hands raised up in surrender. “I’m asking you to help me sweep her off her feet. I’m asking you to be a voice of reason. To help her see the real me, and that I’m not Asshat Conner Daniels.”
With a laugh, I picture Charlie cursing him with every fiber of her being. Conner’s delusional if he actually thinks she’d be into him. He’s not her type. At all.
“And what clarifies me delivering on my end of the deal? A single date? A kiss? Am I pimping out my best friend?” The sarcasm is thick in my voice, though I won’t admit that I’m actually considering this.
The thought of Charlie dating Conner is comical. She’d never go for it. Hell, she doesn’t even need me to step in this time to tell her what a terrible idea it would be. She’s already figured that one out. But the possibility of Conner withdrawing his application? Guaranteeing me a position at Montague Enterprises so that I can step in and take care of my mom?
That is appealing.
She needs me. She can’t look after herself the way Charlie can. Not for much longer, anyway. And I haven’t even received the diagnosis yet. What if an MRI is the least of my worries? What if it’s cancer? What if she has to go through chemo? I shake my head and focus on the present scenario unveiling itself right in front of me instead of the depressing what-ifs that accompany any thought that involves my mom.
“Come on, Levi. I’m not that big of an ass. We both know I don’t have a problem getting a girl to sleep with me. This isn’t about that.”
“Then what’s it about?”
“It’s about getting a real shot with her.”
An overwhelming need to protect her flares in my chest.
“Why her?” I push, still unconvinced.
With a shrug, he sighs. “I don’t know. I don’t know what’s wrong with me or why she’s so special. There’s just…I need a real shot with her.”
He’s said that already. Multiple times. My annoyance flares, but I push it aside and counter, “But you said so yourself. Montague Enterprises is a great place to work. An opportunity like this doesn’t come around often—”