“You always look good.”
“To you.”
“To anyone with eyes.” He sits across from me at the breakfast table. “Why would you want to work somewhere like that? Doesn’t sound like the Charlie I knew.”
My stomach starts to feel a little unsettled, because it’s true. “It was a good job,” I start.
“You mean good-paying job.”
“Well, yeah. I made a lot of money at that firm, even as a new lawyer. But honestly…” I let out a breath and look out through the sliding glass doors that lead to a screened-in back porch. “Honestly I’d take a pay cut and less stress any day.”
“What was stressful? The job or the people you worked with?”
“The people. I loved my job and the thrill of a good case.”
“Did you represent mobsters or something?”
I laugh. “You’ve watched too many cheesy TV shows. I did real estate law, which can be just as cutthroat as anything you see on TV, actually.”
“You won’t be bored here?”
“That’s to be determined, I guess. Though there’s more going on here than you’d expect. There’s no shortage of divorces happening, as you can guess since you’ve seen the infidelity firsthand.”
He laughs. “Very true. For a small town, we have no shortage on the drama either. You’d be surprised at what a few shots of tequila can bring out in some people.”
“I’m not that surprised, actually.”
“So you’re staying here in Eastwood.”
“Yeah,” I say, and relief floods through me as soon as I say the words. I hadn’t decided for sure what I was going to do. “Though I’m not entirely sure how working with my dad for a few years will be.”
Owen chuckles. “I love my family but couldn’t work with them. Though Dean and our dad get along fine, so it’s possible.”
“I’ll have my own office too so it’s not like we’ll be stuck in the same room.”
“That should help.”
“Oh, it will.”
“I bet you look hot sitting behind that big executive desk. At least that’s how I imagine you.” He gives me a smirk and then lets his eyes fall shut. I always thought it was unfair how long and thick his eyelashes were. “I see you now sitting there, with your hair twisted up in a bun. The top buttons on your blouse undone…and that tight skirt. You’re going to see a huge influx of guys needing legal counseling, you know.”
“Owen, stop.”
“Buzzkill.” He opens his eyes and looks at me. “And come on, it’s not like you don’t know how good you look.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
“So you admit you know you’re hot.”
Shaking my head, I pick up a piece of bacon. “Impossible,” I mutter under my breath.
“What’s impossible?”
“You.”
He holds my gaze for a beat, smirking. “You always liked a challenge.”
Dammit, Owen. I do like a challenge. But right now the challenge is resisting you.Chapter 21OwenI lie back in my bed, trying to get comfortable. Something is missing, so I grab another pillow and stick it in the stack behind my head. Holding onto the thickest one, I roll over onto my side and try to get comfortable.
But no amount of pillows or blankets is going to help.
Because I know exactly what’s missing. Charlie. I haven’t slept so well, haven’t felt so peaceful and comfortable, as I did last night with her in my arms. It would have felt better if she were naked, but I’ll take what I can get for now.
It won’t be long until she’s back in my arms sans clothing. I’m sure of it.
Maybe.
At least I hope so.
Why is my confidence wavering? The better question should be why is she resisting me like it’s easy to do?
Tulip meows from the hallway, and I look up to see her limping into the bedroom. I get out of bed and scoop up the black-and-white cat, gently putting her on my bed. She starts purring and rubs her head against me.
“Are you going to help Charlie fall back in love with me?” I ask her, running my hand over her fur. Letting out a deep sigh, I roll back over and try to fall asleep. It’s going to be a late night at the bar and—shit. Charlie needs to get back into the house and I didn’t leave her a key or tell her the code to the alarm system. I’ll be at the bar when she gets off work.
I flop over again and kick the blankets down. Tulip growls and goes to jump off the bed. I catch her at the last second and help her down. I don’t want the cat to hurt herself, and I know how devastated Charlie would be if anything else happened to her cat.
After tossing and turning and pushing away the deep feelings of regret and fear that Charlie means what she says and doesn’t want to give things another go, I get up and get dressed for the gym.