“You knew!” I said, sliding into the passenger seat while Rylee got in the back.
“I finally have all the pieces. I was pondering why I could see you and Charming together in the future when he was so absolutely gone from your side. Then I kept getting this strong friendship vibe between Charming and Colin. None of it connected at first. Suddenly it finally became clear.” She stopped in mid explanation to ask directions and then continued.
“While Charlie was here with you and filling you in on your past life in your dreams, Ethan was finding out about you from Lily in his. Crazy, but it makes perfect sense, right?”
I nodded, but I was having a hard time wrapping my head around it. “But Kara, if Charming was with me, by my side, how was he also Ethan?”
“A part of each of you stayed with the other, you couldn’t bear to be parted. It happens sometimes, but it is a tough thing to comprehend.”
“You didn’t know, did you?”
“ Even we psychics need help sometimes with putting the picture together. That’s where Rylee’s phone call made it all fall into place.”
Pulling up to Colin’s house in the daylight I could see the driveway held his black mustang, but there was another car parked there, a white pick-up truck. My mind flashed to Charming atop his white horse and I chuckled under my breath. White horse, yes, but white truck? That would take some getting used to.
“What is so funny?” Rylee asked, anxiety causing her voice to rise and I felt bad for dragging her through all of this.
“Nothing, I’m not sure my legs are going to hold me up. I’m so scared, what if he’s not really him. What if we are wrong? I don’t think I can...”
Kara took my hand and squeezed it tightly, “You aren’t wrong Sophie. Go!”
“Are you coming?” I looked at the two of them, wanting them to join me for moral support.
“No. We’ll wait here. Go!” Rylee insisted.
I took a shaky breath and blinked quickly to stop the tears that suddenly threatened. Getting out of the car I bumped my side against the door and winced as it pressed against my tattoo. The pain helped ground me. I was so light headed. Anxiety attacks had nothing on this feeling.
Forcing my feet forward I entered the garage and quietly went in the kitchen door.
I heard him before I saw him. The voice was familiar, but the accent was off. Once old fashioned and proper, now all California boy. He was distraught and as I neared the family room door I heard his words.
“I can’t do this, Colin. I can’t live without her. She’s my life. She is the only thing I want, the only thing I need.”
And then, I saw him. Sitting on the edge of the couch, elbows on his knees, head in his hands. He didn’t just look like Charming. He was Charming. His beautiful hair cut short, a golden brown tan, and wearing clothing he had never worn. Shorts, t-shirt, bare feet. It was him, a modern surfer boy version, but him.
“Ethan, it will get better man. Maybe she’ll be back,” Colin consoled his friend.
“She can’t. Colin, she wants to be here but you don’t understand…the whole thing is just impossible.” His defeat and despair tore at my heart, and then Colin noticed me standing there.
Putting my finger to my lips he nodded and I motioned for him to come into the kitchen. Standing up, he walked toward me, Charming never noticing, his head still buried in his hands.
“Ry’s outside,” I whispered and I saw him take in my unbuttoned blouse and the clear plastic over the likeness of his friend. Nodding, he left me alone. Not alone. I would never be alone again, not now.
I walked toward him slowly, my heart pounding so loudly that surely he would hear it. Maybe he did, because as he lifted his head my tears blurred my view as his anguished expression changed into one of pure joy.
“Lily?” he said, standing, taking a step towards me, his deep blue eyes filling with tears.
“Charlie?” I replied as I walked the rest of the way into his arms. Neither of us spoke as we clung desperately to one another, his heart beat pounding against my ear.
“How? Oh baby, how is it possible? This isn’t a dream, is it?”
“No. I’m really here and so are you.” I held him tightly, ignoring the pain from my raw tattoo. I was afraid to loosen my hold. He kissed my hair and I breathed him in, his familiar scent calming me, welcoming me home.
Looking up at him, tears trailing down my cheeks and his, we smiled.
“My name is Sophie now.”
He nodded, “I’m Ethan.”
He lowered his mouth to mine and kissed me as he had in my dreams. It was literally a dream come true.
“I love you,” he whispered against my mouth between kisses.
“Forever?” I asked.
“Beyond forever,” he promised.
Acknowledgments
It only takes one person to write a novel, but many more to make it worth reading. Several people helped along the way and I would like to thank them all.
First and foremost, I want to thank my amazing family. Megan and Morgan, without the two of you this book would never have been written. Your input, editing and ideas were priceless. Tino and Mason, thanks for being supportive and part of the team! I love you all “beyond forever.”
Friends and family members took the time to read, critique, and edit various chapters of Charming, and I appreciate each and every one of you! Big thanks go to Diana Harris, Danielle Roake, Veronica Speck, Brendan Jackson, Christine Parke, Marion Peterman, Leigh Peterman, and my parents, Bill and Darlene Graves.
During this process I gained all new respect for the importance of the Book Cover. Thank you Theresa Jackson at Orchard View Color for creating the perfect cover for Charming!!
You can follow Susie Kaye Lopez on Twitter @Susieshops
You can email Susie Kaye Lopez at [email protected]
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