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The heated look in Charlotte’s eyes cast flames throughout my entire body. All she needed to do was tell me. Then, my lips would be on hers. My hands would be undressing her, feeling every inch of her soft, bare skin. I’d be able to taste her hot, aching sweetness, and plunge myself into her depths. But not if she couldn’t tell me. Not if she couldn’t give all of herself to me.
My love for her outweighed the secrets she kept. That was never the question. I was all in. I was wholeheartedly hers for eternity. But I had to know that she felt the same. I’d done everything I could to prove my love. Now, it was Charlotte’s turn to give me what I needed. Charlotte had to prove herself.
Charlotte
I walked into the bar, alone. How far I’ve come. Mallory was babysitting her cousins tonight, and Merritt had asked me out for a girls’ night. I could sit home and daydream about Tanner for another night, or I could make new friends and dance. It wasn’t a hard choice.
Merritt waved me over as soon as she spotted me. “Hey, Charlotte! I’m so glad you came!”
“Thanks for inviting me.” I waved to her friends.
“Charlotte, this is Shelly.” I recognized her as the bouncy redhead who I’d always seen with Merritt.
Shelly stuck her hand out. “I’m the incomparable best friend.”
A tall girl with short, black hair rolled her eyes and extended her tattooed arm toward me. “Incomparable, my ass. I’m Tina. I’m the bitchy friend.”
I shook her hand as my eyes roved over her colorful ink. “Your tattoos are beautiful.”
“Thanks. You have any?” An eyebrow arched as she searched my bare skin.
I shook my head. “I’m not a fan of needles.”
“Shame. You have the perfect pale skin for ink.”
Shelly’s face scrunched. “Did you just call the girl pale?”
“I said she had the perfect skin for tattoos. It was a compliment.”
A pretty blond stepped forward and put her arm around my shoulders. “My sister is the queen of backhanded compliments. Don’t pay her any mind. I’m Kenzie.”
“It’s nice to meet another blond around here.” I returned her genuine smile.
“We don’t know where she came from,” Tina said. “I’m pretty sure she’s the milkman’s daughter.”
Kenzie’s middle finger shot up and Tina grinned.
We danced in a circle for a good hour, laughing the entire time. Winter was on its way out, and it seemed like everyone was celebrating the city finally thawing.
Everyone, including Tanner.
Tanner
Operation: Charlotte was under way. Merritt planned a girls’ night, and Charlotte had taken the bait. TJ and Derek were on board with pretending like we had no idea the girls would be here. All that was left to do was convince Charlotte to dance with me.
I thought giving her space would make her miss me and see that we needed to be together. After a week of working in close quarters at the shop, I realized that being around me was chipping away at her resolve. People had it all wrong: Absence didn’t make the heart grow fonder; undeniable sexual tension did.
“Merritt’s bringing her over now,” TJ said.
Merritt practically dragged Charlotte through the crowded dance floor by her wrist. Way to be subtle, Merritt.
“Hey, little brother.” Merritt slapped me on the shoulder.
“Hi.” I looked into Charlotte’s eyes, trying to read past the smile on her face. Was she happy to see me or just being polite?
TJ acknowledged the girls and then turned to Shelly. “How’s your night going, Red?”
Shelly’s cheeks turned as red as her hair. “It’s good. We’re having a girls’ night.”
