“I’m not a player. I used to be, but I’m not any more.” He continued to move toward her, forcing her to lift her chin to talk to him. She backed up until she was against the front door. Her heart raced. When had she lost control of this situation?
“Oh really?” She laid on the sarcasm. “You’ll forgive me if I don’t believe you.”
“No it’s true. Although it hasn’t been true for very long.” He was so close she could feel the heat from his body.
“When did you repent and turn from your evil ways?”
“About ten minutes ago,” he murmured as he bent his head down and captured her mouth in a kiss. Charlie’s mind felt muddled and confused. His hands were behind her neck, allowing her no escape. She squirmed and protested futilely, but he continued his assault unfazed. Then his tongue swept across her lips, and she felt her knees go weak and her arms go around his neck. Her body moved against him of its own accord, while one of his hands slid down her back and pressed them tightly together. When his tongue slipped between her lips, she whimpered. She could feel his heart pounding against her chest. Or was that her heart pounding? He groaned when her tongue touched his. Suddenly, her mind was clear. What was she doing?
She pulled away abruptly and slapped him across the cheek.
He rubbed his face gingerly. “Ow—that hurt.” And to her great consternation, he grinned. “But it was worth it.” She stared at him in shocked silence as he vanished silently through the kitchen door.
*****
Emily’s eyes shifted back toward the door. When Charlie and Josh left the room, the table had fallen silent, with all ears straining to hear the supposed tongue-lashing Charlie was dishing out. Connie had prevented her girls from following to the door and eavesdropping on the battle. As a consequence, they could only hear the sharp tone of Charlie’s voice, followed by Josh’s mellow one.
“What are they saying?” whispered Grace. “Can you hear anything?”
Brad chuckled. “I don’t know. But I think Josh may’ve finally met his match. Did you see her face? She was steaming.”
The living room had fallen quiet, and the entire group held their breaths. Then they heard a popping sound and Josh’s voice. As they trained their eyes and ears intently toward the living room, the door suddenly burst open. Josh entered, his face reddened from his neck to the tips of his ears. He looked around the table from one frozen spectator to another and his lips curved into an impish grin. He walked briskly to Spencer and clapped him on the back. “Sorry, buddy. I wish you two the best.” Then he caught Emily’s eye and winked, before continuing on around to take his seat next to Grace, attacking his food with renewed relish.
Eating continued accompanied by soft murmurs and frequent glances toward the door. The red faded from Josh’s face, except for the clear imprint of a hand on his cheek. He glanced repeatedly toward the door, and actually began to appear anxious before Charlie finally emerged, carrying her cell phone and her purse.
“I had to make a quick call.” Charlie opened her purse and making a show of stowing the phone away. “Sorry to keep y’all waiting. Is it time for dessert?”
Emily studied her sister, who sat down, appearing unperturbed to the casual observer. Only one who’d known her for twenty-three years would notice the slight tremor in her fingers as she carefully folded her napkin in her lap. She watched her pick at the food on her plate and pretend to laugh at the anecdotes and comments that crossed the table. But Emily could tell her mind was otherwise occupied.
And her sister no longer made eye contact with Josh, while he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes away. She saw it happening. He was getting more and more annoyed he couldn’t catch her glance. The more determined she was in avoiding his gaze, the more intent he was to gain it.
“Charlie,” he said. “Where do you teach skiing? Maybe I’ve been there before.”
“I teach at Breckenridge.” Charlie directed her answer to Brad. She continued to expound for several minutes about the quality of the snow and the length of the season and the number and type of lifts and the best places to ski the moguls. But none of her extensive discourse required her to look at Josh, and she steadfastly refused to do so.
“What do you like to do when you visit New York, Charlie?” He tried again.
“Emily and I like to go see musicals. Don’t we Emily? And last fall we took a great tour from a harbor boat with Spencer and his friend, Mark.” This time Charlie spoke her answer to Spencer. “Speaking of Mark. I’d like to see him. We should get together, the four of us, and go climbing again at the gym. Maybe tomorrow night, since I have to go home on Tuesday.”
“Sure,” Spencer replied, although his tone of voice was uncertain. “If Emily wants to go, I’m up for it.”
Now Josh was frowning, tapping the end of his fork on the table. Still Charlie refused to look his direction.
Emily bit her lips and lifted her napkin to her mouth to hide a chuckle. “That sounds great. I know we all had a lot of fun together last time. I may not be able to climb with my sore ankle, but I love watching you climb.”
Josh cleared his throat noisily. “Eh-hem! Girls aren’t any good at climbing.” He sat back expectantly, waiting for the fireworks. This time he wasn’t disappointed.
“You’re an idiot, if you believe that,” Charlie snarled, her eyes flashing. “I could beat you with my hands tied behind my back. Especially on a real climb, and not in some silly gym.”
He grinned triumphantly. ?
??Prove it. Put your money where your mouth is. Or actually, I could think of something else I’d like to—”
“Shut up, you arrogant son of a... a biscuit!”
“Now, now. No need for a foul mouth. You can prove your superiority to me tomorrow night. It just so happens I’m off.”
“You’re not invited,” snapped Charlie.