Charmed by Charlie

by Amanda Uhl

  “He’s not my boy…boyfriend.” I sputtered, glancing over at Clarissa in the process. She raised her penciled eyebrows and smiled thinly, then turned her back and walked to the elevator, pressing the up button. “I’ll see you over there, Charlie.”

  What? Clarissa wasn’t coming with us? I turned to Charlie. “But I thought…”

  He grimaced. “I know what you thought. You were wrong. C’mon, let’s go. Clarissa will come later with Julie.”

  Charlie pulled me out the door, his solid hand brooking no argument, and I found myself going with him, a dozen questions rattling around in my head—a strange mix of anger, fear, and curiosity. What had Clarissa been about to say? Why should I listen to Charlie?

  Nick was parked in front like a fancy coach waiting to take Cinderella to the ball. Except I was nowhere close to Cinderella, and Charlie was not my prince charming. The thought strengthened my resolve. I pulled my hand from Charlie’s tight grasp and stepped away from Nick. Charlie stalked me, coming up close like an avenging angel, but I was through being pushed around.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” I asked. “Haven’t we talked enough? What else do we possibly have to say to each other—?”

  Before I could finish the thought he pulled me into his arms, his lips fitting snugly against mine, cutting me off. His masculine scent flooded my nostrils. All thoughts fled my mind, scattering like leaves in the wind. My brain turned to mush. Weeks of holding myself in check, of burying my feelings and keeping myself aloof, went up in smoke. A rush of passion swept through my system, taking every speck of sanity with it. I kissed him back, my lips opening and his warm tongue flooding my mouth. He tasted like cinnamon and dark chocolate, like cool water and sparkling champagne. How could something so right be so wrong? How could Charlie want Clarissa, the cold fish, when he could have me trembling with desire for him at a touch? On the heel of that thought was another. Maybe that was all Charlie wanted.

  Charlie pulled slightly away, breathing heavily, but kept his hands around my shoulders, as if he were afraid I’d slip away. He grinned, ever the charmer. “Apparently, not much.”

  I struggled to remember the thread of conversation while heat rushed to my face. “This… wasn’t talking.”

  “Believe me, I know. I was proving a point.”

  “Wha…what?”

  “C’mon, let’s go. I’ll explain in the car. Unless you want to continue to put on a show?”

  He gestured to the gleaming building behind us. Oh my God. I had French kissed the CEO right in front of the glass windows. Thankfully, not many people were left in the building. Most were at the Q Hall. Still, I wasted no more time arguing but climbed into his car, eager to disappear from the Reynolds parking lot.

  It was a short drive to the Q Hall. My thoughts collided like bumper cars in an amusement park. So, we would talk for a few minutes. It wouldn’t change anything. Would it? And neither would his kiss, incredible as it had been. His kiss! God, I wanted another. But it didn’t mean anything. It couldn’t. If Julie were correct, Charlie was planning to propose to Clarissa. Tonight. Ugh. How could he do it?

  I glanced over at Charlie, who had started the car and pulled out of the Reynolds parking lot, heading east on Madison Avenue. He stared at the road in front of us. Silence. Why wasn’t he talking? He’d said his kiss proved a point. All it proved was I was hot for him. Why did he care? He had Clarissa.

  Fine. Two could play at this game. I looked out my window. The sun was setting behind us. Pink rays marked the horizon like paint on canvas.

  “I have something I need to tell you.” Charlie’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly; a muscle twitched in his jaw.

  “He speaks. Okay. What is it? What are you trying to prove by ditching your girlfriend, kissing me in the parking lot, and hauling me to the Q Hall?”

  “I’m leaving Reynolds…tonight.”

  “You…you’re what? You’re leaving?”

  “Tonight.”

  “But…where are you going?”

  “To New York.”

  Charlie pulled into the Q Hall. While his attention was diverted trying to find a parking spot, I studied his profile greedily. He couldn’t up and leave Reynolds, could he? He was the CEO for crying out loud. He couldn’t abandon ship. His crew needed him. I must have heard him wrong. He must mean he was going on a…a trip…maybe a vacation.

  Charlie shut off the engine but made no move to pull the key from the ignition. “I thought maybe I’d take a little break.”

  “What? Why? Who do you need a break from? Is it me? Are you worried I’ll create trouble for you and…? Because I won’t…create trouble, you know. I mean, if it’s me, you should know I was planning to leave Reynolds anyway. Find another job.”

  “Why the hell would you do that? You love this place.”

  “I do. Love Reynolds. But…”

  Charlie turned to look at me. His eyes dark and mysterious. I longed to touch his handsome face…which belonged to another. I must remember that.

  “Come with me.”

  “What?” Why did he want me? One last fling before he settled down for good with Clarissa. “I can’t go with you!”

  I jumped as a large thump sounded in my ear. “What was that?” I turned to peer out the window, frowning.

  As if I’d summoned him, George stood there in a black leather jacket, his hair slicked back. He looked…dangerous. Like he was ready for a rumble. I rolled down the window.

  “Everything all right?” I asked.

  “Yeah, yeah. You ready?”

  “Almost. I need a minute more. Wait for me, okay? I’ll be right out.”

  I rolled up my window and turned back to Charlie. He was watching my lips, his eyes intense. “I’m sorry, Charlie. I…I need to go. I promised George.”

  “You may think you love George but your eyes tell a different story.”

  I struggled to breathe. “Charlie, it’s not fair. What you’re asking me. Why do you want me to go with you?”

  “Because I want you. Because I can’t stop thinking about you.”

  I knew he wanted me, didn’t I? It was in his look and the way he kissed me. But he was going to marry Clarissa. I wasn’t wife material. “Yeah, well you can’t have me.”

  “I know. So I’m leaving. Right after the party.”

  “What about Clarissa?”

  “She’ll be in charge.”

  “She’ll…what?”

  “She’ll run the company while I’m gone.”

  “But…I mean…she’s not going with you?”

  “Definitely not.”

  “But you’re getting married.”

  “What? Where’d you get that idea?”

  “Julie said…”

  “You’re kidding me, right? Haven’t we been down this road before? You’re still listening to Julie about me? Well, let me set the record straight. I have no intention of marrying Clarissa. Or Julie. Or any of my ex-girlfriends. There’s only one woman I want to marry, and she’s…”

  Was it my imagination or were his lips coming closer to mine? They looked firm and soft at the same time if that were possible. I could feel his breath warm on my face. No it wasn’t my imagination. “The…uh…woman…you want to marry…”

  Thump, thump, thump.

  My heart was loud in my ear. His lips. They were descending.

  Thump, thump, thump.

  Louder than I’d ever heard it before…wait a minute. The pounding was in my right ear, not in my chest. Someone was rapping at the window. I stole a glance, expecting to see George, but it was Bernie. I rolled down the window.

  “Val, you gotta help me. George and Jim are fighting!”

  “What? Why?”

  Charlie didn’t waste any time asking questions. He tore open his door and took off running toward the Q Hall entrance. Bernie ran after him, and I followed in their wake, feeling slow and awkward. I really needed to hit the gym.

  When I got inside, it was cool and so dark
it took me a second to see what was happening. Jim and George were wrestling on the floor. Elias and Charlie were trying to separate them, and Bernie was screaming, “Don’t hurt him. Don’t hurt him.” It wasn’t immediately clear to me if she meant George or Jim, but I suspected it was the former, since Jim appeared to be the victor in the brawl.

  I came next to her just in time to see Jim swing at George and hit Charlie right in the face.

  “Oh my God. Are you okay?” I yelled.

  Charlie didn’t answer me but rose and grabbed Jim behind the neck in some kind of wrestling move I had never seen before, holding him immobile. George lay on the ground panting. A broken glass lay next to him. Bernie was feeling his right arm to see if it was broken, all the while scolding him. “What were you thinking? Are you mad? Your store’s grand opening’s tomorrow. What’s gotten into you?”

  “I want you to come to the grand opening.” George rose halfway so he was sitting. Blood ran from a cut on his forehead.

  “George, your mother doesn’t want me there. She doesn’t want me anywhere near you.”

  “I don’t care. This isn’t about her. This is about you and me, and the fact that I…that I…”

  “Yes?” Bernie asked, and even from where I was standing I could tell she was eager for his answer.

  “This can’t be happening,” Jim said. “Lemme go. I’m not going to punch him out. Although I should after the maneuver he pulled. But I can tell already where this is headed.”

  “Why don’t you come with me,” Charlie said. “Give them some privacy.”

  And just like that, it was all over. George was professing his love and undying devotion to Bernie. And Bernie was crying and they were kissing, and I felt like the biggest third wheel. So I left them there and trailed after Charlie and Jim, who had headed to the bar.

  Chapter Thirty-six

  I had expected Charlie to spend time making sure George and Jim were okay. I also knew he would make small talk with the staff. I mean, he was the CEO after all. It was his job to mix and mingle and make sure he gave everyone equal attention. This was a party, and after the show George had put on, someone needed to reassure everyone it was still a party and okay to have fun. What I didn’t expect was how little chance I would have to talk to him the rest of the night.

  First, Clarissa showed up, and Charlie made an announcement, introducing her as taking over the reins at Reynolds for a while. Reynolds was in a healthy position, he said, due to all of our hard work with the new line. It would remain in good hands with Clarissa. Charlie had other interests he had to attend to and would trust us to make Clarissa feel welcome and help her wherever she needed. He looked at me while he said this, and I knew exactly what he was thinking. Come to New York with me. Yes, I wanted to say. But I didn’t say anything of the sort. Because Clarissa had noticed Charlie’s cheek was swollen, which led to Charlie wanting to leave the party early. Both Julie and Clarissa offered to drive him to urgent care, but Charlie refused their offers.

  “Val will come with me, right, Val?” he said, placing a palm on my shoulder, as if he feared I would dash from the room.

  “Okay,” I said.

  “Great. You all stay and enjoy the party,” Charlie said, gesturing to the room.

  “We’re leaving, too,” George said with a grin, his fingers entwined around Bernie’s. They’d not stopped holding hands once since they’d gotten up from the bar floor.

  We made our way outside and to our cars. Bernie gave me a little pat on the arm and hugged me, while Charlie congratulated George.

  “I’m so happy. I want you to be happy, too,” she whispered in my ear. “Do you think… Will Charlie be back? Did he say anything to you when you were talking in the car earlier tonight?”

  I whispered back, “Nothing we don’t already know. He said he needed a break, and he was putting Clarissa in charge.”

  “I’m sorry, Val. At least he didn’t propose to her. That was surprising. Maybe he’s not going to marry her.”

  “He’s not.” I said it much too quickly. Bernie eyed me suspiciously.

  “How do you know?” she mouthed with raised eyebrows.

  But Charlie had finished his good-byes to George and there was no way I could answer her without him seeing or overhearing. “I’ll call you later,” I said.

  “Are you ready?” Charlie asked, gesturing to Nick.

  “Sure,” I said, turning back to George. “George, I am so happy for you and Bernie.”

  George’s smile widened, if it were possible, clearly the luckiest man on earth. “You are still coming to the grand opening of Spice Boys tomorrow, right? You and Charlie?”

  “Uh, well, I’ll be there…”

  “Of course,” Charlie said. “We wouldn’t miss it.”

  And then I was climbing into Charlie’s car, and he was getting into the driver’s seat, and my heart rate accelerated as it always did when I was in his presence. Now maybe I would learn the identity of the only person he wanted to marry.

  “Val,” he said, turning toward me. “Are you hungry?”

  Yes, but not for food. My alter ego had come out to play again but I forced her to be quiet. “Yeah, sure.”

  “Great. I didn’t get much to eat at the party. Let’s get Chinese. I’m starved.”

  “Of course you are,” I said, and he grinned in response.

  Charlie took me to Hop Sing, a local joint, where we’d have some privacy to talk. I had just taken a bite of my chicken chow mein when his cell phone buzzed. He checked the number and shrugged apologetically. “Sorry, it’s my mom. She doesn’t call me often. I’d better take this.”

  “Sure,” I said and looked out the lone window in a pretend show of giving him his privacy. It had started to rain, big fat drops that rolled down the glass.

  “What? Why was he doing that?”

  My ears pricked up. Charlie sounded concerned.

  “Okay, okay, stay calm, I’m on my way. I’ll take the company plane. I should be able to make it in”….he checked his watch…”a couple of hours. I’ll be there by eleven. Just hang on tight until I get there. I’ll come as fast as I can.”

  He ended the call and turned his head to look at me, his face pale in the moonlight. “I’m sorry. It’s my dad. My mom’s taken him to the hospital.”

  “Oh, no! I’m so sorry Charlie.”

  “I’ve gotta fly to New York. She’s a wreck.”

  “Go. You must go quickly.”

  “Right.” Charlie nodded, taking out a wad of cash to pay the bill. “C’mon. I’ll drop you off at your place.”

  Should I offer to go to New York with him? Would that be a mistake? God knows I’d made enough of those in the past. I was still undecided when we’d reached my apartment, so I said nothing. A few minutes later, he’d gunned the engine and took off with a roar, Nick’s tires squealing on the pavement.

  I didn’t hear from Charlie that night, but of course, he would have arrived in New York late and would have rushed to see his dad. It wasn’t until the next day I started to worry, when I got a cryptic text. 4:32 p.m. Dad’s stable. I’ll call you when I can.

  I attended Spice Boys’ grand opening the next day by myself and worried about Charlie and his father the whole time. I kept checking my phone anxiously for a missed call, voicemail, or text, but there was nothing. That evening I tried to call Charlie, but I got his voicemail and left a message. He did not call me back. I texted him a few more times before he finally responded.

  8:56 p.m. Sorry. It’s been crazy here. My dad’s doing okay. As soon as he’s recovered enough, my mom wants to move him to the island.

  Oh dear God. Finally, some news. I typed back quickly, all thumbs.

  8:57 p.m. So glad. I’ve been worried. What’s wrong? Is there anything I can do?”

  8:59 p.m. It’s his heart. Stay there and help Julie. Keep things running smoothly at Reynolds.

  Help Julie? Wasn’t Clarissa running the show? I was in my PJs sitting on a bar stool at the count
er with a glass of red wine. I took a giant swallow, trying to force my chaotic thoughts into some semblance of order.

  9:03 p.m. What about Clarissa? I thought you left her in charge.

  9:04 p.m. She flew out when she heard about my dad. She’s been a big help. I’m up to my eyeballs trying to get a handle on all of our businesses.

  Clarissa was with him. I struggled to keep the green-eyed monster inside me leashed. Now was not the time to broach the topic and certainly not via a text message. Charlie had enough on his plate.

  9:05 p.m. How’s your nose?

  9:06 p.m. Still attached Gotta run. I’ll call you as soon as I can.

  I did go into work the next day and did my best to be supportive of Julie as Charlie asked, but I was a bit distracted, and she didn’t make it easy. She scolded me when I brought her the wrong sales report and reminded me more than once that I was there to do a job and needed to stay focused on the task at hand. If only I could.

  The entire week, all I did was wait and worry and wonder. Was his dad okay? Had Charlie and his parents moved to their island house? What if Charlie changed his mind and decided Clarissa might be right for him after all? About the only thing that offered any relief was helping Bernie plan her wedding. She and George were engaged. I was to be the maid of honor, partnering Elias, the best man.

  “What do you think?” Bernie asked. “White or ivory?”

  We were shopping for wedding dresses. We were on our third bridal store, and all the dresses were starting to look alike.

  “I mean ivory’s nice, but maybe my hair would contrast better with the white? Although George likes ivory. But Yasmine does, too. I hate doing anything that woman likes. How did you put up with her for so long? We’ve only been engaged a few weeks, and already she’s driving me crazy. Val…Val, are you even listening?”

  “Look who’s here.”

  I nodded my head in the direction of the front door, where Clarissa stood like a queen studying her surroundings. Bernie’s eyes followed. “You’ve got to be kidding. What’s she doing here?”

  If Clarissa was in Cleveland, then she wasn’t with Charlie in New York any longer. My heart fluttered with relief. “Shopping for wedding dresses, apparently.”