your hair is still brown and not gray. I swear, while I was with her today, I could feel the gray hairs struggling to sprout.”
Jill giggled. “She has a way about her.”
“Indeed.”
“She’s also the very best sister in the world.”
“I got that impression.”
“That’s enough out of both of you!” Charlie circled the table and stood toe to toe with Harry. She had to bend her head way back to meet his gaze. “When do you think you’ll know something?”
He cocked a brow. “I know an abundance of things, Charlie. Can you be more specific?”
She ground her teeth together. “When, exactly, do you think you’ll be able to give me some info on my father? I don’t mean to rush you, but I don’t want to wait too long, either.”
“Patience,” Jill muttered as she put Harry’s mug in the sink, “is not one of Charlie’s strong suits.”
She was ready to refute that when Harry touched her cheek with two fingers. “I’ll get back to you just as soon as I can. Try not to worry, okay?”
She gulped, feeling that simple touch all the way to her bare toes and back up again. “Can you…maybe give me a ballpark guess?”
He smiled. “I’ll tell you what. Give me your phone number and I’ll call you tomorrow evening. By then I should be able to have a better idea, okay?”
Charlie hurried to a drawer to pull out a pen and paper. “I’ll give you our personal number, for here in the apartment, and the number for the Lucky Goose. You should be able to reach me at one or the other.”
Harry slid the slip of paper into his back pocket. “Jill, thank you for the drink.”
“Thank you, Harry, for bringing Charlie home in one piece.”
“That was my pleasure. Well, at least part of the time. There was the occasional moment when—”
With a shove, Charlie started him on his way. She knew he was laughing, but she didn’t mind. She walked him down the stairs and with every step, her heart thumped heavily. She was so acutely aware of him beside her, tall and strong and warm. When they reached the end of the stairwell, Charlie still one step above him, putting her on more even ground, she caught his arm before he could open the door.
He turned to face her, his look questioning.
She cleared her throat. His biceps were large and thick and she knew even both her hands wouldn’t circle him completely. She lightly caressed him and her breathing hitched. She was so damn ignorant about this sort of thing. “Harry, I really do appreciate all you did tonight. Not that I couldn’t have handled it on my own—”
“But it was nice to have the company? My sentiments exactly.”
She tilted her head, searching for the right words. This entire situation was awkward for her, because she’d never really wanted anyone before. “I know you said you don’t want to get involved, and I feel the same way.”
His entire expression softened. “Charlie—”
“No, you don’t need to explain. I understand. But…”
“But what?”
His voice was low, the words gentle. She could feel him looking down at her, and so she mustered her courage, looked him straight in the eye, and said, “But I want you. There. I said it.”
He stared, shock plain on his face, and she took advantage of it, throwing herself against him. She felt his arms automatically catch her, and she kissed him while his mouth was still open in surprise. He was motionless only a moment, then he turned, pinned her to the wall, and with a low deep groan, proceeded to kiss her silly.
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