Wash

“Elijah? This is for my dad.”

Julie shook her head. “That’s the excuse you’re using. Can we just skip it and you can tell him we looked everywhere? Then you get to impress the boy and we can go grab something to eat. I’m starving.”

Charity forced a smile but glanced away. She couldn’t look Julie in the eye. “I’m not trying to impress the boy.”

“What?” Julie stomped her foot. “I bloomin’ hope you are! Why else are we running around doing this then?” She stuck her hands on her hips.

“For the gala.” Charity didn’t say anything else; she didn’t know what to say to her friend.

“Come on, Charity. You’re falling for the guy. Just admit it.” Julie smiled, slightly teasing but in a positive way.

“I’m not. He’s not my type.” She shook her head but her words did not sound convincing. “It’s complicated.”

“Why? Because he’s here and you’re down in Atlanta? Because he’s chief of your father’s hospital? Because he’s a doctor and you’re not?”

Darn Julie knew her too well. “Aside from the last one, I hadn’t thought of those reasons, but they are valid points. It’s even more complicated now.”

“You’re a lousy liar.” Julie gave her a half smile. “Bull stinkin’ crap.”

Charity burst out laughing. “Seriously? You say that?”

Julie shrugged. “I work in pediatrics, I try to keep it clean.” She poked Charity in the shoulder. “Don’t change the subject.”

“I’m not!” She tried to grab Julie’s hand, but her friend pulled it away just in time. “It doesn’t bother me he’s a doctor, nor does it bother me that I’m not. I love my job.” She stared down at her hands, not sure how ready she was to admit she had a crush on the guy. She could hardly say it to herself, let alone out loud to Julie. “Elijah’s a lady’s man. I may not be here every day, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. I’m not into that.” She started walking again. No way was she about to tell Julie that they had already kissed.

Julie didn’t try to argue. She walked beside Charity silently for a bit before quietly saying, “You’d be good for him, you know. And he likes you.”

Charity’s eyebrows shot up and her heart sputtered a moment before kicking back into its regular rhythm. “Just out of the blue, he told you that? She lowered her voice and tried to mimic Elijah’s accent, ‘Juls, I like Dr. Thompson’s daughter. I’m thinking about hanging up my lady killer pants and taking up a chastity belt. Instead of having sex on a regular basis, I’m thinking a long distance relationship with my boss’s daughter looks ten times more inviting.’ Something like that?” She cleared her throat and had to work to keep a straight face as she stared expectantly at Julie.

Julie kept the straight face gimmick better than Charity. “Holy smokes! Those were his exact words. Oh, hold on a sec…” She stopped and pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Hey, Simon, what’s up?” She listened then grinned mischievously at Charity. “Uh-huh… You’re both off? Cool. Why don’t I ask Charity and we’ll meet you for dinner. We’re almost done here.” She paused while Simon spoke on the other end. “Give us half an hour. See you then. Love you.” She tucked the phone back in her pocket and slipped her arm through Charity’s. “Simon’s surgery got cancelled so he’s done early. He wants to meet us for pizza.”

Charity gave her friend a sideways glance. “What’s the catch?”

“Nothing! I’m excited to get to hang with my husband and best buddy tonight. We can have a bunch of drinks and hit a few clubs. Maybe go dancing.” She pointed to a shop window as they passed. “Let’s go see if we can find something fun to wear. Then go meet them.”

“Them?”

Julie pulled the shop door open and glanced back over her shoulder. “Elijah’s coming, too.”

Luckily Julie ran ahead a few steps or Charity’s boot would have connected with her backside.

“You can’t back out,” Julie said as they stood flipping through a rack of tops a few moments later. “You were going out to eat with me anyways. We’d be going clubbing no matter what – boys or no boys.”

“True.” Charity glanced down at her red top and dark blue jeans. At least she’d worn a cool pair of shoes she could dance in. Excitement started spreading inside of her. It would be fun. Dancing always was. She might even impress Elijah. “If we’re dancing, I need a tank top.”

Julie pulled out a black sleeveless top with a leather collar that ran down into a V-cut. Sultry with just the right hint of temptation. “You need this. It’s totally you.”

Charity caught it as Julie tossed it to her. “I’ll go try it on.”

Fifteen minutes later they left the shop with Charity wearing her new top and Julie in new pants.

“Where are we meeting them?” Charity asked as the two headed back to Julie’s car in the parking garage.

“Cherie’s. Do you remember it? They’ve got that awesome oven baked pizza.” After Charity nodded, Julie added, “We can walk if you want. Car’s already parked in the garage and it’s like five minutes from here. Let’s just toss our bags in the trunk.”

They dropped the things off and freshened their makeup before heading back to Main Street. It was just starting to get dark when they reached Cherie’s. Julie walked into the crowded pub first and Charity followed a few steps behind. When Julie threw her arm in the air and waved toward the end of the bar, Charity’s stomach danced with butterflies. No running now.

A few empty bottles and an empty appetizer plate sat on the table by the boys. Julie dropped in the seat beside Simon and gave him a big hug. “Missed you.”