MissManaged

Charlie did as promisedand called after she checked into her room. She gushed about how fancy it was and how nice the room looked but didn’t stay on the phone long because they were going to take a walk around town before dinner.

The next day, she called in the morning, before her spa treatments, but then I didn’t hear from her all day after that. By the time ten o’clock rolled around, I was talking myself out of driving up there, reminding myself she was a grown woman, when my phone finally rang.

“Hello, Charlie?” I said, even though I knew it was her.

“Hey, Toby!” she said, obviously tipsy. Not once had she ever called me that. “I had fun today.”

“Where are you?” I demanded, harsher than I probably should have, but she didn’t notice.

“I’m in my room. By myself. Grace is still at the bar with Layla and Raquel, but I’ve had enough to drink.” She whispered the last part like it was a secret, though from the amount of noise she was making, the people next door probably knew she was drunk.

“I’m glad you’re safely in your room, but what are you doing?”

“Taking off my clothes so I can go to bed.” I heard sheets rustling and she let out an “Oof.”

“Did you put your pajamas on?”

“Noooo.” More rustling. “I have to set you down.” Silence for a second. “Okay. I’m back. I had to put my shirt on.”

“Okay, little fairy. Are you back in bed now?”

“Yep. I’m going to sleep, and I’ll call you in the morning.” She yawned. “I didn’t know how much accountants and lawyers drank, Tobin. It was crazy.”

I chuckled at her cuteness. “Get some rest. I’m glad you knew your limit. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

“Okay. Love you.”

“I love you, too.”

She hung up before I finished speaking, and I let out a sigh of relief. Part of me wanted to tell her she could never go away without me again, but I knew that would never fly with Charlie. I had to trust that she’d do what she did tonight and be smart and safe.

Why did I have to fall in love with an independent woman?

As quickly as I had the thought, I dismissed it. Part of what I loved about Charlie was her fiery streak and willingness to stick up for herself. I’d be bored with a woman who did whatever I wanted without question. That’s probably why none of my previous relationships lasted.

Charlie was it for me, in all her stubborn, sassy, smart glory.

Monday afternoon foundme waiting on Charlie’s porch for her and Grace to get back. We spoke on Sunday morning, after she had some pain relievers and a shower. She swore off alcohol for the day and said she was having nothing but water and going to bed early. Then she checked in with me at eight that night, already in her room and in bed, reading. While I didn’t tell her to do that, I couldn’t say I wasn’t relieved. We only spoke for a minute because she wanted to get back to her book. She sent me a brief “good morning” this morning, and then let me know when they started the drive home. I finished work early so I could be here to greet her when she returned.

At one-thirty, Grace pulled up and popped the trunk. Charlie jumped out while I jogged over to grab her bag.

“Thanks for driving, Grace. I had fun,” Charlie said, leaning through the passenger-side window.

“Me, too. But I’m going home to take a nap,” Grace replied. “I wish I’d been smart like you and gone to bed early.”

“Yeah. I didn’t think going out would be a good idea. On top of everything else.”

“I got your bag,” I said from behind Charlie, startling her.

“Tobin. I didn’t know you were there.” She looked around and spotted my truck in the driveway. “Oh. Grace and I were talking, and I didn’t notice your truck.”

“Bye, Charlie,” Grace called, putting her car in gear. “Good luck.”

Charlie was still looking all around, not meeting my gaze.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, pulling her into my arms.

“Uh, yeah. Why would you ask?” She was stiff and didn’t relax into my embrace like I expected after two days apart.

“Because you’re being weird. Because Grace wished you luck before she left.” As I ran through the last few minutes in my head, I grew more concerned. “What did you mean when you said ‘on top of everything else’?”

She sighed and stepped back. “Let’s go in the house. We need to talk.”

My stomach dropped and my heart started racing.

That did not sound good.