MissManaged

“So, Toby, what are you doing with Charlie?” Kenny asked, blunt and to the point.

Obviously, her personality hadn’t softened since high school, even if her aesthetics had.

“We’re friends, Kenny. She did some work for me; I’m helping her out with some business planning.” I tried to sound convincing, but if Kenny’s scowl was any indication, I failed.

“Charlie’s not like the women around here, Toby. I know you tried to pull some manly bullshit the first time you two met, and it didn’t work. I hope you’re not trying to con her into being with you.”

I cringed at the memory of our first meeting and fought down the urge to tell Kenny to mind her own business. The old me would have definitely told her to butt out, but I reminded myself that Kenny and Charlotte were friends and Kenny was just looking out for her friend.

“I’m not conning her into anything, Kenny. I admit I was out of line the first time we met, but we’ve gotten closer since then and she’s told me about her past—”

“She talked to you about her family?” Kenny interrupted in surprise.

“Yes, she did.” I didn’t reveal anything Charlotte said since it seemed she hadn’t shared much with her friends.

“Huh. That’s good, I guess.” Kenny shoved her hands in her jean pockets and studied the floor for a minute before sharing her thoughts. “Listen, Toby. I know you’re not a bad guy, even if sometimes you can be a jerk. We worry about Charlie. She’s only twenty-four and is all alone. Until a few weeks ago she’d barely told any of the girls anything about her family, and even then, all she said was that her father was controlling, and she didn’t want a man controlling her life.”

“I know all that,” I replied, unsure where Kenny was going with this conversation.

“Just, be careful with her. She’s shy and quiet and we really don’t want her to get hurt.”

My eyes widened in shock, wondering if she was talking about the same person I knew.

“Charlotte is not shy and quiet. At least not to me. She’s full of sass and doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind, even when she’s jumping to conclusions.”

Kenny turned thoughtful again for a moment before she said, “Well, that’s different from how she is around us girls most of the time. I’m glad to hear she’s not afraid to stick up for herself.”

I chuckled. “You have nothing to worry about there. Charlotte is not afraid to tell me what’s on her mind.”

The woman in question reappeared in the hallway, ending our talk. But Kenny had one more thing to say.

“You better not hurt her, Daniels. Or else you’ll have to answer to me.”