“And it’s printed as a poster and plastered to the ceiling above my bed. Along with some of the other nudes you sent me over the years.”
Charlie just stares at me, and I wonder if she’s thinking how weird it is to be that close to someone, to share something so intimate as naughty photos, and then to just break up and never see each other again.
“I think Logan might have stolen one of my favorites, though.”
“And which one is that?” she asks dryly, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Remember when you were a sexy Bo Peep for Halloween?”
“Oh my God, no!” Her eyes close as she laughs. “We were what, juniors in college then? I have no idea why I thought that was a good costume. Actually, I might still have it in my parents’ basement. I have a few bins of crap down there.”
“Wear it to dinner Sunday.”
She laughs once more, reminding me how much I miss hearing that sound. And the way her eyes crinkle just a bit when she’s laughing. Reaching out, she takes the wine from my hand and pulls out the rubber stopper. She pours a bit in her glass and then looks around once more.
“This place is amazing. I can’t get over how busy it is.”
“Thanks, and you should see it tonight. Fridays and Saturdays are crazy.”
“Maybe I’ll come by some time with Carly. When I’m speaking to her again.” She takes a sip of wine.
“I can imagine things being a little tense since her dogs attacked your cat.”
She nods. “They didn’t do it maliciously, but still…” She lets out a sigh and turns back to me, biting her lip. She’s probably thinking that crashing at my place is a bad idea. And if that’s the case, I’m going to show her just how good bad can be.Chapter 13CharlieI changed my outfit three times. My first dress made me look way too much like a stuffy lawyer. The second showed an indecent amount of cleavage. And the third? It’s a simple red sundress that matches my lipstick.
Not that I care how I look for Owen or anything.
Smoothing my hair back that keeps blowing in my face from the wind, I lean back on the porch swing and look out at the street. It’s weird, living back home with my sister and parents. I’m a responsible adult, yet I almost felt compelled to tell everyone where I was going.
Mom knows I’m going out, but that’s it. She doesn’t need to know the small details, and it’s not like I have to ask permission. If they knew I was going to see the entire Dawson crew? It wouldn’t matter, because nothing is going to come from this. It’ll be nice to see everyone. They were a big part of my life for a long time, and it’ll be nice to catch up. Too bad I don’t have better news about myself. Though until a few weeks ago, things were going pretty damn well.
Feeling like a teenager again, I hop up when I see a black pickup truck slow to a stop in front of the house. Years ago, I’d run down the sidewalk and leap into Owen’s arms. My heart flutters at the thought, remembering in vivid detail just how amazing Owen used to make me feel.
Like I was on top of the world, because I was his whole world.
“Hey,” I say, opening the passenger side door before Owen has a chance to even take off his seatbelt.
“Hey, Charlie.” He runs his eyes over me, not even caring that I can see he’s obviously checking me out. “You look good.”
“Thanks.”
“What, no complimenting me back?”
I pull my seatbelt over my lap. “I don’t want to lie, now would I?”
Owen laughs. “I miss this.”
“What?”
“Your sass.”
I look out the window, biting the inside of my cheek. Owen does look good. He’s wearing a t-shirt and jeans, and his hair is messily styled in a way that looks way too sexy for anyone to be able to pull off. And now I’m remembering him all sweaty, body glistening in the sun as he pushed the lawnmower up and down his yard…
“What’s your mom making for dinner?” I ask and fiddle with a strand of my hair.
“Don’t know.”
“Are you sure I shouldn’t have brought something? My own mother would scold me to know I showed up at a dinner party without anything.”
“It’s just dinner. Not a party.”
“You know what I mean.”
“There’s a good chance it’s going to be hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, so don’t worry.” He takes his eyes off the road for a second to look at me. “And when I bring you home, should I go inside and get your stuff?”
“My stuff?”
“To take back to my place.”
Twisting my hair around my finger, I watch the landscape pass us by. “We’ll see.”