Page 59 of Tides and Tidings

I heard his footsteps shuffle behind me. Charlie’s hands gripped my waist and pulled me flush against him. His touch electrified every nerve ending in my body. “Is that so?”

There was that second wind I needed.

“Mhm.” I barely squeaked out.

Charlie lowered his lips to my ear. “Good to know.”

His voice was low and gravelly because he sang along to one or two songs tonight. He would never admit it, but I have video proof.

The elevator doors opened, and the older couple from earlier standing in front of us once again.

Charlie loosened his grip on my hips.

“The restaurant was closed. Wasn’t it?” the older gentleman asked.

I nodded slowly. They stepped out of the elevator.

“If you want my opinion, kids.” The woman grabbed my hand. “You look like you had a better time than you would have at that stuffy restaurant.”

I looked up at Charlie, and his expression finally relaxed. His jaw wasn’t tense, and his smile was so wide that his eyes were creasing.

He shrugged sloppily, “I think we did.”

I made eye contact with the woman, “You’re right.”

“Y’all are so cute.” She nudged her husband, “Remember when we were their age?”

He nodded, “Your boobs were a lot higher.”

She gasped, “Albert! You’re going to scar the children.”

Charlie and I broke out in a fit of laughter. He draped his arm loosely over my shoulders and his head hung low. His dark hair fell over his face as water droplets dripped on the floor.

At that moment, I became painfully aware of how wet my clothes were and how badly I wanted them off my body.

“I was simply stating an observation, Eden.” He slapped her butt.

This man sure was hot for his wife.

“We’ll let y’all go. Have a good night,” Eden winked at us. “I’m not tryin’ to be creepy, but can I have one of your phones to take a picture of you two right now? When you’re old like us, you’ll want pictures of nights like tonight to look back on.”

I handed over my phone as Eden put her glasses on.

“This won’t be the highest quality picture.” She admitted. “Let me know when you’re ready.”

“Ready.”

I glanced at Charlie and couldn’t help but admire his transformation. When I met him, he would barely speak to anyone and lived in a constant state of anxiety. The guy was the walking definition of morose. Now, he’s standing in front of me, a changed man.

“What are you lookin’ at?” his voice was low on my ear.

“You.” My eyes met his. The way he looked at me always made me feel like the only woman in the world—a stark contrast from previous relationships.

My last boyfriend told me he loved me, all while rekindling a relationship with his ex and fucking her at work. Whether it was in a relationship, at work, or even to my mom’s boyfriends as they came and went, I was always second fiddle. I had become accustomed to people finding better options, leaving me high and dry.

Charlie has been the exception to the rule. He always puts Wren and I before himself. He cooks breakfast in the morning because he knows I have low blood sugar. He makes sure to tell me how beautiful I look—even on days when we’re just hanging out at home and I’m in a ratty old T-shirt and my hair is in the messiest of buns on the top of my head. He makes me feel special…seen…loved. All things I had never felt before I moved to Wippowa.

A sleepy smile spread across his face, “You’re the best. You know that?”