Chapter 8
It was a beautiful day, Charley thought as she inhaled the fresh air around her. The smell of summer hung in the air; the promise of sunshine, laughter and only great things to come. It was a Saturday afternoon and the area around the aquarium was abuzz with people.
Charley knew it was going to be long day and wished she could spend the day in quiet solace with a good book, but looking down at the eager face of her little brother had her enthusiasm for the day ahead coming to life. She’d promised Jamie she would bring him to the aquarium today after he mentioned their teacher giving them a lesson on the living creatures of the sea.
He’d been excitedly recalling all he’d learnt when she mentioned that some of the sea creatures he was so fondly talking about were at the aquarium. At the mention of this, Jamie’s face light up and so began his sweet talking.
Charley had to admit he was real good at convincing people that something was to his benefit – especially if it’s something he wanted. It hadn’t taken long for her to give in, though she had to wonder if it was really his ability to sweet talk people or her weakness to resist giving him all he wants.
“So you excited about today?” she couldn’t resist to ask though she already knew the answer.
He grinned up at her. “Mm-hmm… I can’t wait to see the sharks. I wonder if we’ll get to see their teeth.”
She laughed. “Maybe if you ask the shark nicely he’ll give you a toothy smile.”
He sent her a look that said he didn’t appreciate her teasing. “It’s not funny, Charley.”
She held back her laughter. “I know, I’m sorry. Look,” she pointed to an entertainer where a small crowd was gathered.
“Can I go watch, please? Just for a bit.” He looked up at her innocently, his big grey eyes – ones must like their mom’s – pleaded with her.
Unable to resist, she agreed. “Okay, but only for a bit. We still have to get in line for our tickets.”
He beamed. “Okay, thanks. I won’t be long.” And with that he dashed off.
Charley kept a watchful eye on him. Jamie was responsible. He never ran off when he wasn’t supposed to, he always asked Silva’s permission first before going over to a friend’s house. He was a sweet kid, far sweeter than she’d expected him to be.
A smile spread across her face as she watched him bob up and down; cheering at the tricks the entertainer was performing. She was glad to see him enjoying himself already and couldn’t help but wonder how he would be once they were actually inside.
Glancing at her watch she knew she should get him. Knowing Jamie, he’d want to see everything before the day was over and if that was the case, they’d better get going.
“Hey gorgeous. Fancy seeing you here.” A voice whispered into her ear, stopping Charley in her tracks.
Charley jumped and whirled on the person behind her, her heart in her throat. It wasn’t so much the surprise she’d gotten that had her heart racing, but the owner of the voice who unsettled her with his closeness.
“Don’t do that,” she chastised Tate, slapping his arm.
All he did was smile at her lazily, that dimple of his winking at her, as he rubbed at the spot she’d hit him.
“I didn’t expect to see you today, but now that I have my day seems so much brighter.” She said nothing about his flirtatiousness. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” She countered.
“I asked you first.”
She huffed at him, crossing her arms over her chest. “Have you been talking to Rachael?”
“No,” he replied, all the while taking in her appearance.
Her hair was down today. She looked relaxed in her jeans, t-shirt and saddles. He liked her this way, he admired. No doubt she looked extremely sexy in those cocktail dresses of hers, but there was something about the way she looked now. Tempting was the word that came to mind. Her hair ruffled in the slight breeze.
Guided by pure need, Tate took a stray strand of hair between his fingers, the texture smooth to the touch, tucking it behind her ear and ran his finger lightly along her jaw. She shivered. He felt it tingle right through his fingers, travelling up his arm, making the hairs stand on end.
She stepped away from his touch, like he knew she would. She’d been affected by that one simple touch, he thought satisfied.
“Why do you want to know if I’ve been talking to Rachael?” he asked, letting his hand drop to his side.
Before she could answer, Kayla showed up, a bright smile lit her face; one Charley couldn’t help but match.
“Charley, what are you doing here?” she feigned surprise.
“I was just asking your brother the same thing.” She looked at Tate.
“And I’m answering that its pure coincidence.”
“So Rach didn’t tell you I was going to be here?” she questioned further.
“No, why would she?”
“She has her reasons.”
She does, thought Kayla guiltily. She’d been the one to talk to Rachael and found out Charley would be here today. Knowing she and Tate were to spend the day together, she’d cleverly orchestrated that they be here too, Tate agreeing without question for them to come to the aquarium today.
She didn’t like deceiving her brother or Charley, but knew she could use this to her advantage. If there was one girl she really wanted her brother to date it was Charley.
“Are you on your way to the aquarium too?” she asked innocently. “You should join us.”
“I can’t. I have a date.”
Tate’s brows lifted in surprise before they turned down into a scowl. She’d go out on a date with another guy, but him she wouldn’t give one chance.
“Who’s the guy?” he grumbled,
Charley wanted to laugh, but kept a straight face. She knew how much she ticked him off by saying that and somehow she felt a slight thrill at seeing the jealousy spread across his face.
She was about to answer him when a spot of red and white zoomed into her vision and tugged at her hand.
“Come on, Charley, what’s taking so long? We have to get in line before it gets any long.” Jamie tugged at her hand impatiently.
She turned to look at Tate and saw surprise mirrored on his sister’s face too.
It took him a moment to recover. It wasn’t everyday that Tate was surprise the way he was now. Life might have thrown him some weird curves – Charley being on of them – but this was not what he expected.
“Who’s the kid?” he found himself asking.
“Who are you?” the boy countered, making a smile play across his face.
“Jamie,” Charley sent him a warning look, “where are your manners?”
His head fell and he mumbled an apology. “Sorry,”
Obviously there was a relationship between the two. If that look Charley sent him and his response said anything, it was that there was respect between the two.
“Apology accepted.” Tate said holding out his hand. “And who might you be?”
When Jamie didn’t answer, Charley spoke up for him. “Jamie,” she addressed the boy, “these are friends of mine, Tate and his sister, Kayla. Guys, this is my baby brother, Jamie.” She introduced, a protective hand going around his shoulder. “My date.”
“I’m not a baby. I’ll be ten soon.”
Tate almost laughed in relief at hearing this. He’d really thought the worst when Charley mentioned she had a date. He’d wondered who he’d have to ruffle up to make sure he got the message that Charley was his.
It took him a moment, but eventually Jamie took Tate’s hand, shaking it in greeting. He liked that Tate had offered his hand and hadn’t ruffled his hair as so many adults do. He hated it. He much preferred being treated like an equal, though Charley says being an adult wasn’t always all it seemed to be.
“It’s nice to meet you, Jamie.”
“You too,”
“Well, aren’t you cute,” Kayla grinned at Jamie, and Charley swore she saw him blush.
“Your sister’s taking you to the aquarium?” Tate asked him.
“Yup,” he nodded with enthusiasm, than looked up at his sister. “When are we going in?”
Charley laughed. “Let’s get in line.” She turned to the Thorp siblings. “I’m sorry, but duty calls. It was nice to see you again, especially you Kayla.”
“What, don’t I get an ‘especially’?” Tate commented.
“You I see far too often.”
“Exactly the way you like it.” he wiggled his brows.
“Don’t flatter yourself.” She countered, but knew deep down she enjoyed spending time with him. “Well, I’ll see you guys.”
“Why don’t we join you?” Kayla asked in a rush earning looks from both Charley and her brother. “I mean in the line. We’re all headed that way anyway, right?”
Charley glanced over at Tate. He seemed as surprised by this as she. It’s clear he hadn’t orchestrated this and figured there could be no harm in spending a few minutes in his company.
“We are,” Charley agreed finally.
“After you,” Tate gestured with his hand.
Charley preceded him, along with Jamie. Once in line, she looked up at Tate to see him studying Jamie. Immediately she felt the need to protect. She knew there was no danger with Tate. It was something instinctive inside of her. Silva teased that it was her maternal nature showing.
She knew there would be questions later. Tate wouldn’t let this drop. It just wasn’t his style.
“So you like baseball?” Tate asked Jamie, taking in the baseball cap he had on.
Oh boy, Charley thought, here we go. She knew all too well how much of a fanatic her little brother was when it came to baseball. Once you got him started, it was hard to stop.
“Yeah,” he beamed, “I am.”
“What team are you supporting this season?”
“The Sox, of course,” he answered as if it was an obvious answer. “This season and every season to come. I’m a Boston boy, through and through.”
“Well then I believe you and I have just become buddies.” Tate replied with a smile that had Charley’s heart almost stopping. It was a feeling she couldn’t ignore this time.
“You’re a Sox fan?”
“Yup, I played in a little league team when I was your age.”
Jamie’s eyes grew wide like sauces. “Really? That’s awesome. Charley said it would be cool if I wanted to try out this year, but I won’t. I’m not good enough.”
The way the smile diminished from his face, it had her heart melting. Charley always tried her best to encourage him, but she could only do so much. She was about to tell him not to give up so easily when Tate beat her to the punch. She watched on in amazement as Tate crouched down to Jamie’s level.
“And what makes you think you’re not good enough?” Tate asked the little boy, who was almost the splitting image of his sister.
Jamie just shrugged in response. “I just know.”
“Let me tell you something. When I was on the team there was this kid who wasn’t too good at the game either, but by the end of the season he was one of our best players.” He said.
Jamie looked at him in surprise. “How?”
“He had one thing people over looked.”
“And what’s that?” Curious now, Tate knew he had the kid hooked.
“Passion for the game.” He replied with fierceness to his voice. “He loved baseball and he had drive. He wanted to be better at the thing he loved. So he practised, really hard too. Like I said, by the end of that season he was one of the best.”
Jamie eyed him suspiciously. “You’re not making this up are you? Charley sometimes tells me things just so I can do what she wants.”
Tate grinned up at her. “Well I’m not your sister, but I’m sure she has her reasons for saying those things. And no, I’m not making it up. True story.” He held his hand over his heart.
Jamie seemed to be considering what he’d said. “Do you really think I could get better with practice?”
“I don’t think, I know.” He stated with a smile. “I could always come by some time and show you a few pointers if you like.”
Tate risked a glance in Charley’s direction and had to stifle a laugh at the scowl he saw on her face. He couldn’t decide if she was more adorable when she smiled or when she pouted her lips in that way.
Jamie beamed at him. “Yeah, that’d be great. But we have to check with Charley first.”
Tate rose as both he and Jamie looked over at her, putting her on the spot.
“Please say it’s okay for Tate to come around and help me out with my game.” He begged again.
She still couldn’t refuse Jamie’s simple requests, but this one was something she’d definitely have to think over and then let Jamie down gently when she changed her mind.
“I’m sure we can work something out.” She agreed in part.
Tate grinned at her. “Great, I’m looking forward to it.” he said to Jamie.
She knew what Tate was planning. She could see right through his plan. Yes, she thought as they moved along in the line, she’d need to thank him later for what he said to Jamie, but would definitely get an earful from her about weaselling his way into her life through her brother.
Right now though, she would focus on this day. She didn’t want to spoil it for Jamie.
Before she knew it they were standing in front of the ticket booth.
“Hi,” Tate greeted the woman behind the counter, as Charley took out her wallet. “Four tickets please. Three adults and one kid.”
“No, wait,” Charley halted the woman’s proceedings, “You mean two tickets, not four.” She said to Tate. “I’m sorting out Jamie and myself.”
Tate waved her protest off, signalling for the woman to proceed. “Consider this my little treat.”
“But…”
“Accept it, Charley. It’s done.” he said handing the woman the money and then thanked her, taking the tickets.
“You didn’t need to do that.” she remarked once they were out of the line.
“I know,” he replied simply. “I wanted to though.”
“I’ll pay you back.”
He shook his head. “There’s no winning with you, is there. You can treat us to an ice-cream after. Does that make you feel better?”
Sighing in defeat, she nodded her head.
“Come on then,” he said too all. “Time is wasting.”
***
As expected the aquarium was abuzz with people; adults and kids alike. Charley had to laugh at all the stunned and awed faces of the little ones. She wondered what it would feel like to see things through the eyes of child once again. She knew she’d lost that youthful innocence a long time ago, but couldn’t deny things were much simpler back then.
With the way Jamie excitedly pointed out every fish he recognised, going on to tell them a little fact he remembered from class, Charley felt as if she was reliving her youth through his eyes. There was no denying that he was enjoying every minute of this.
Tate and Kayla were always close behind, Tate especially never really leaving their side. He listened attentively when Jamie spoke to him about something; whether it was things he saw today or a random fact of baseball. Tate didn’t look like he minded indulging the boy, something Charley was happy for.
Jamie didn’t have much male presence in his life, something she knew all little boys want. Someone to talk sports with, who played rough, yet gently, when he needed it, someone who he could look up to.
She hated that he went without that male figure in his life, but knew there was no chance of him having a father figure, something she wanted most for him. Their father had left years ago, Charley recalled bitterly. About a year – maybe less – after Jamie was born. They’d never heard from him since. As far as Jamie was concerned, he was a stranger.
It softened her heart to see Tate with the one person she loved most in the world. She’d half expected him to turn this into another one of his opportunities to get her to go out with him. But to her surprise – and relief – Tate spent most of his time with Jaime.
What had Charley going the most was when they’d reached the shark tank. People were mostly crowded around this attraction and disappointedly Jamie was unable to see anything. He’d looked so dejected. Angrily Charley had wanted to force her way through the crowd just to help him get a glimpse, but there was no need. Jamie had all but given up; content on moving along when Tate took hold of him and flipped him onto of his shoulders.
She was frozen, completely caught off guard by this act. She glanced up at Tate; surprise still on her face. When he caught her looking at him, all he did was wink at her.
Shaking from her thoughts she was finally able to see the wonder and joy on her brother’s face. A lump caught in her throat as she watched him and knew Tate had just made his day.
They were almost at the end of their little tour when Jamie asked. “Can I see the penguins before we go?”
“Sure,” Charley replied.
Jamie was about to drag her drag her along when Kayla intervened. “I’ll take him.” she offered.
“If you’re sure…”
“Yes, I want to see them too.” Before anyone could say anything, Kayla and Jamie were off.
“I forgot what it’s like to be a nine year old boy. Full of energy.” Tate mused.
She laughed. “Yeah, I have trouble keeping up with him sometimes.”
She could see the penguins up ahead and spotted Kayla and Jamie. She and Tate strolled along, catching their breaths.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Jamie?” Tate suddenly asked.
He’d planned to smooth his way into asking her, but clearly subtlety was never his strong suit when it came to her.
She knew it was coming and without thought had her defences up again. “You never asked me.”
He sent her a look. “I think I asked about your family before, but you cleverly avoided it.”
They took a seat on a vacated bench, not too far from where their younger siblings stood.
“I don’t see why you would keep Jamie a secret. It clear you’re crazy about him.”
She frowned. “I wasn’t keeping him a secret. I just don’t…” she trailed off.
“You don’t what?”
“I’m just not into talking about my family. I’m just a private person.” She answered in a matter-of-fact way.
“Yeah, I kind of figured that out. But I figured since we are friends you’d be willing to talk to me about him.” he said it with a shrug.
Her brow lifted at this. “We’re friends?”
“Err… I believe that is the correct term.”
She let out a laugh. “So you always flirt unashamedly with all your friends.”
“Only the cute ones, the ones I’m interested in.” he winked.
She shook her head at him. He was a real charmer when he wanted to be.
“So, since we’ve established that we’re friends now, do you think you’ll be willing to let me in?”
Wanting to escape the question she stood and walked in the direction of her brother and Kayla, but Tate caught her arm, stopping her.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“What do you want to me say, Tate? I can’t lie to you and say I’ll talk openly with you when I know myself. It’s hard for me to open up, to let others in. To let them see me.” she ran a hand through her hair. “You just wouldn’t understand.”
“Understand what? Talk to me.” Tate urged. “I’m right here willing. Are you scared you’re going to run me off with whatever’s in your past or present?” she didn’t answer. “I don’t care about those things.” He took her chin between his thumb and index finger and turned her to look at him. “I care about you.”
“I know,” and she did know, she could feel it, “but it’s hard for me. You have to understand, when Jamie and I lost our mom, things changed, especially for me. I’m sorry Tate, but I can’t. I just can’t.”
She walked off and he watched her go. No, he thought, he might not have gotten her to open up to him, but he wasn’t about to lose her over that. Going after her, he easily matched her stride and slipped his hand into hers. She tried to tug away but he wouldn’t let her. His hold was firm, yet gentle.
They stopped at a tank and watched the fish swim by. Her hand still locked in his, he glanced at her. The waters played on her face, seeing to illuminate her eyes as a smile spread across her face.
“Look,” she pointed to a fish she found interesting, but Tate couldn’t be bothered. He was memorised by her, lost in those emerald eyes that seemed to dance with wonder at the many sea creatures before them.
She turned to smile at him and saw the look that crossed his face. Before she could react, his lips brushed hers in a whispered kiss. It was tender, meant as a simple showing of affection, yet she knew it held much more for him. Her heart thumped in her chest, her hand squeezing his where they hung connected between them.
She was completely lost for a moment in his eyes, even considered leaning to kiss him back. But the voice of her brother came knocking at her door of logic and woke her from her dream.
“Charley, you have to see this.” he said excitedly.
“Okay, I’m coming.”
She looked back at Tate. Understanding the look she sent him, he let go of her hand –albeit, reluctantly.
“Let’s go,” she said to Jamie, matching his excitement.
He tugged her along, but looked back at the man who made her feel things she’d tried to hard to lock away. Giving Jamie her full attention, she squeezed his hand in gratefulness for the rescue, knowing she’d come far too close to falling off the edge.
***
“What will it be?” Charley asked as they stood outside the ice-cream parlour.
“Oh, I want chocolate chip.” Jamie sang out in excitement, “please,” he added at the look his sister sent him.
Satisfied she turned to the others. “Any special requests?”
“Strawberry and vanilla for me please.” Kayla said, “And for you, Charley?”
“She’ll have a caramel and chocolate, like she always does.” Jamie chimed in, rolling his eyes. “It’s her favourite.”
“Is that so?” Tate mused, a cheeky grin covering his face. “It just so happens to be one of my favourites too.”
Charley looked at him disbelievingly and then glanced at Kayla for confirmation. “It’s true.” The girl confirmed.
Charley turned to a smug looking Tate. “This doesn’t mean anything.”
“Of course it doesn’t.” he agreed nonchalantly, but she could see the glint that shone in his eyes. “”it’s just ice-cream.”
Shaking her head at him, she reached for her purse, but before she could take out a few bills for the promised treat of ice-cream, Tate stuffed some bills into Kayla’s hand.
“You know everybody’s preference, why don’t you and Jamie get the ice-cream?”
Kayla sent her brother a knowing smile and obliged. “Come on, Jamie.”
Like a little puppy, Jamie followed her into the ice-cream parlour.
Charley whirled on Tate, just like he knew she would. “I thought I was supposed to treat us to ice-cream. Here, let me pay you back.”
He put his hand over hers, stopping her. “It’s okay, Charley. It’s just ice-cream.”
“Yeah, but –”
“You really don’t know how to let a guy spoil you.” he interrupted.
She smiled at him sheepishly. “I’m just used to doing things for myself. Anything I want I work hard to get it.”
Tate mulled this over. “I like that about you, about women in general. Not to say I don’t like spoiling the girl whose affection I’m vying for.” he added quickly. “It’s just great to see a woman take charge of her life.”
She sensed there was a lot more meaning behind those words than he let on. “You sound like you know what you’re talking about.”
This time when he smiled, it didn’t quite reach his beautiful blue eyes. “I just saw from my dads cases of abused women what it’s like to have to depend on a man so much that you’d let him hit you around.” A scowl crossed his face in disgust. “Not that he should be doing that in the first place. How men can live with themselves after…”
Charley tried to deny it, even ignore it, but the soft centre of her heart he’d just touch with that statement had her looking at him in a whole new light.
Without thinking she brought her hand to his arm and squeezed. “You’ll make a great lawyer some day.”
His eyes met hers, his flesh scorched where she touched him, setting his blood to boil. “You think so?”
“Yup, not only at you persistent and good at arguing your point, but you’re compassionate too. A good combination if you ask me.”
The way she gazed at him; those green eyes sparkling in the sun like emeralds, that small smile that played on her lips, lips he very much wanted to kiss again, the way the breeze flitted her golden hair…
Tate knew a man couldn’t be blamed for falling with a beauty such as her standing in front of him.
Because his mouth felt dry and he suddenly couldn’t breathe, he said. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say Charley Donovan just paid me a compliment.”
And just like that the moment had passed, her hand falling from his arm.
“Don’t let it get to your head now.” She teased.
“Too late,” he winked.
Charley glanced through the window of the parlour and saw her brother happily chatting to Kayla. How she wished she too could so easily let people in.
“You two are real close.” Tate stated.
She turned to look at him. “Yeah, we are. It’s funny because the age difference, but he’s my brother and I love him.”
He nodded. “Real protective of him too, aren’t you.”
She let out a light laugh. “Can you blame me? You’re that way with Kayla too.”
“And I’m not even afraid to admit it. Though I think my troubles are only starting with the boys.” He cringed, making her laugh.
“You’ll have aged considerably before you reach thirty. She’s gorgeous.”
He sighed, wistfully. “Yeah, too bad I can’t lock her up until she’d twenty-one.”
“I don’t think she’d be too pleased about that.”
They were silent for a moment, each lost in their own thought before he asked. “So do you think your dad will allow me to spend time with Jamie, for his baseball? I mean with me after his daughter’s heart, I’m sure I’m bound to get a lecture or two about how to treat her right.” he joked, but sobered when he saw the way she tensed. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Didn’t I tell you I don’t like talking about my family.” She said a bit angrily, throwing him off.
“I’m not trying to fish anything out of you, Charley. I just asked you a simple question. All I want is to help your brother out, but I didn’t want to do that if I’m going to be stepping on any toes.” He replied, his anger spiking too.
She was wrong, Charley thought, to go off on him like that. He’d just thrown her off by asking about a man she could barely remember, one Jamie never even knew.
Telling herself to relax, she started to apologise. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go off on you like that. It’s just hard for me to let people in, to trust.”
He wanted to accept her apology, but his anger was simmering now, headed straight for boiling point.
“I get that you have trust issues, I do. But haven’t I given you more than enough reason to trust me? Don’t you know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, Jamie included.”
“Yes, but –”
“There’s always a ‘but’ with you, isn’t there?” he said it in deadly calm voice, but Charley could hear the anger simmering just below the surface. Well, if he wanted to be angry and unreasonable, so could she.
“Yes,” she retorted, “there’s always a ‘but’. There always has to be. I’ve always had to be careful, to weigh my options when it comes to certain things in my life, because my life isn’t my own anymore, not since the day my mom died and left me with my five year old brother to look after. So yes, there’ll always be a ‘but’.”
“Damn it, Charley.” Before he could think about what he was doing, Tate pulled her against him. The kiss was swift, but rough – hard. He’d give her something to damn well think about. Him.
“You want something to think about, think about that and how that makes you feel.” He all but growled when he released her.
She stared at him wide-eyed, unable to say anything. Usually she’d have some angry retort to throw back at him, but her brain had gone slack, something that’s never happened to her before.
Still feeling the anger beneath the surface, he added. “I’m getting tired of playing this game with you, Charley. I care about you, a lot more than I wanted to admit to myself, but…” he paused taking a calming breath, but never got a chance to finish what he started.
“One caramel and chocolate for you, Charley.” Kayla sang handing her the ice-cream.
“And one for you.” Jamie added, handing Tate his one, ice-cream already covering parts of his mouth.
Charley thanked them with a slight smile.
“We should get going.” Tate said to his sister a bit coldly. “I could give you guys a ride home if you like.” He offered, but knew she wouldn’t take it.
“No thank you, it’s fine. We have a few errands to run before we head home.” She replied not looking at Tate.
“We could take you and drop you off at home after. Tate wouldn’t mind, don’t you?” she looked at her brother expectantly, but he didn’t offer any confirmation.
“No it’s fine, really.” Charley protested again.
Kayla was about to start arguing with her when Tate stopped her. “She said she’ll be fine, Kay. And if Charley says she doesn’t need a ride, she doesn’t.”
She sent him a scathing look, but it had no effect on him.
Tate turned to Jamie. “It was nice meeting you, Jamie.”
“Yeah, you too.” He said around a mouth full of ice-cream.
Glancing over at Charley, he said nothing as he turned and walked off.
“Did I miss something?” Kayla asked watching her brother’s retreating figure.
“I’m sorry about that.” Charley tried to put on a smile for the girl’s effort. “I’ve got a feeling he’ll be grumpy the whole ride home.”
“Don’t worry about it. I have my ways of loosening him up.” she said than turned to beam at Jamie. “I had fun today, Jamie.”
Charley swore she saw her brother blush. “Me too.”
“I’m sure we’ll see each other again.” she bent to kiss him on the cheek and Charley had to bite her tongue to keep from laugh at the adorable blush that deepened on his cheeks.
“I’ll see you around?” she asked Charley with uncertainty.
Charley smiled at her reassuringly. “Of course. It was great seeing you today, Kayla.” She hugged the girl.
“Likewise,” she beamed. “I’d better go before he drags me to the car,” she waved as she went.
“What was that all about?” Jamie asked, eyeing his sister suspiciously.
Tearing her eyes away from the car Tate drove away in; she mustered a smile for her brother. “Adult stuff.” She knew how much he hated when she said that and added, “Trust me, you don’t want to know.”
***
Hey guys, sorry this took so long to upload. I tried to make it a bit longer to make up for that. I'll try and get the next chapter up this weekend, but I'm not sure when I'll upload after that cause my final exams start officially in one week. So much to cram so little time lol
Thanks for the comments on the previous chapter, really appreciate it :)