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As everyone lined up to fill their plates, Brad murmured to Josh, “I did exactly what you asked me to do. I got Charlie and Derek alone together. Why are you upset?”
“I’m not upset, but you should have told me so I wouldn’t worry.”
“How was I supposed to know you were worried? No one else was worried,” Brad reasoned.
“Then what was that crack Jace said about it being a joke?”
“Well, the joke was on Olivia, of course. I was keeping Derek away from her, like you asked me to,” he whispered. “Some thanks I get for all my work.”
Josh adopted a sullen expression as he filled his plate and another for Chloe. Brad couldn’t help the smile that came to his lips when Emily caught his eye and raised a single brow in question. He shrugged, and she chuckled in response.
“ARE YOU GOING TO BOARD with me tomorrow?” Derek asked Charlie, as they munched on their pizza.
“I think so,” Charlie said. “Jace has progressed to where I can probably just give him pointers. Now he only needs to practice, so we’ll probably ski with the group all day.”
“Brad and I found a groomed blue run with some pretty nice jumps on it. The whole gang could ski over there, and those of us who wanted could take the jumps. I’m thinking we might get some nice pictures if the sun is out tomorrow.”
“Awesome!” Charlie agreed. All in all, she’d had a pretty good day. She’d had plenty of time to think on the long climb to the top of the mountain, and the run down the steep, narrow ravine had been exhilarating. She’d come to terms wit
h Josh and Olivia and felt she could be supportive and subdue any feelings of hurt or jealousy. She was a grown woman, and she had to be mature about this. Real life wasn’t like a romance book—everything didn’t always come out rosy in the end. In her heart, she believed there would be someone else for her some day in the future. She already loved Jace and Chloe, and she didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize her relationship with them.
“So... I have a question.” Derek inclined his head.
“And I might have an answer... depending on the question.”
“Well, last night, Josh kind of gave me the go-ahead to date you.”
Charlie immediately felt a surge of hurt at Josh’s sentiment, along with ire that he felt he had the right to give or withhold his permission. “I can’t believe he said that. It’s none of his business who I date.”
“You see, that’s my question. The relationship you two have is kind of... I don’t know... strange, I guess. I can’t decide if it’s only because he’s an old boyfriend who wants to maintain control or... well... I just want to be certain you guys aren’t in some kind of secret relationship.”
“Look Derek, I was honest with you from the start. I told you I wanted to assure Olivia I’m not interested in Josh.”
“Yes, but you see... It’s all very confusing. Because you’ve told me outright we aren’t dating for real, but Olivia seems quite interested in dating me.”
“But that’s not good,” Charlie’s forehead creased as she paused in mid-bite. “What did you do? You haven’t kissed her, have you?”
“Well, not yet.”
“Not yet? You can’t kiss her—they’re getting married next month.”
“I would never try to kiss her, but if she kisses me...” he let his words fall off.
“Don’t let her kiss you, then.”
“I’m not sure I have that much willpower.” He chuckled. “I’m not even sure I want that much willpower.”
“Derek, I’m serious,” Charlie said, her voice rising in pitch.
“Okay, I think you’ve answered my question. I wondered if you’d maybe changed your mind about Josh, because I’m thinking he might have changed his mind about you.”
“What do you mean? How could he have changed his mind?”
“It’s just that... Last night, he looked right at me and told me I was free to date you. That’s what his mouth said. But his eyes said he might strangle me if I actually did it.”
“It doesn’t mean anything. Josh simply likes to be in control. Of everything.”
“So... Tonight, if I kiss you, in a strictly fake-dating sort of way, it shouldn’t bother Josh? And it should convince Olivia you and I are really dating?”
