Chapter Twelve

Owen

“Rumor has it you haven’t taken anyone home with you in over a week.” Logan unlocks the office door and looks at me over his shoulder. We just got to Getaway and are getting ready to open for the day.

“What, you’re keeping tabs on my sex life now?”

“Someone has to. You certainly aren’t.”

“I lost count years ago.”

Logan rolls his eyes and pulls out the desk chair, sitting in front of the computer. “I’m sure your lack of fucking has nothing to do with Charlie being back in town.”

“Why would it?”

“Because you want to fuck her.”

“Of course I want to fuck her,” I shoot back. “Have you seen her?”

“She’s more than a piece of ass to you.”

I make a big deal out of checking the schedule hanging on the wall, even though I know it. Charlie is more than a piece of ass. She’s always been, and she always will be. I’d do anything to get her back. And fuck…that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

“You’re right,” I tell Logan, who looks surprised by my confession. “I do want to fuck her, but I want more. She’s single now and doesn’t seem too torn up over her ex. I’m going to make her fall in love with me again. Next time I see her, I’m sweeping her off her goddamn feet.”

“Easy tiger. That’s not exactly something you can do in a day.”

“Have you seen me? Shit, you do every time you look in the mirror. Well, the slightly less attractive version of me, that is.”

Logan chuckles, and I half expect him to drop some line about how I use humor to deflect my feelings, but he’s extra perceptive today and keeps his mouth shut. Leaving the office, I go to the bar, pour myself a shot of whiskey and start setting up to open.

I ended our relationship because we wanted different things. She wanted someone ready to settle down. Someone more responsible and mature than recent-college grad-Owen. And I’ll be the first to admit I was a little shithead back then. I might still be, but I’m a changed man.

And I’m going to prove that to her, no matter what it takes.

Setting the last chair up, I go into the kitchen, make sure everything is good to go, and then unlock the door and flick on the neon open sign. It’s Friday, and we’re always busy on the weekends, even for lunch.

Never in a million years did I think Getaway could have grown into something this big, and Logan and I were tossing around the idea of building an addition not that long ago. Opening for lunch and dinner was a genius idea, and while I didn’t like working all those extra hours at first, it’s more than paid off. We still serve drinks, but this place is family-friendly during daytime hours.

We’re packed, with people waiting for a table by the time seven o’clock rolls around. Logan left to help Danielle close down the bakery, and I’ve been ready to leave and hand the place over to Barry, one of the bartenders, but have stayed to help get through the rush.

And it’s a good thing, because she walks in, and I swear the whole place goes silent for a moment, like the building holds its breath as she walks through the doors. Charlie makes a beeline to the bar, snagging a stool.

“I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist me for long,” I tell her, reaching for a wine glass.

“No thanks,” she says, shaking her head at the wine glass. “I don’t want anything to drink today.”

“Oh, right. I forgot how alcohol makes you frisky.”

She lets out a heavy sigh. “This was a mistake.”

“What was?” I rest my hand on hers. She drops her gaze to it, and I feel her fingers slightly tremble before she jerks her hand back.

“You know what? The closer I get to saying it, the crazier it sounds.” Her eyes fall shut, and she shakes her head at herself. “I need to talk to Jolene. She’d tell it to me straight.”

“Who’s Jolene?”

“A homeless lady who lives in Central Park.” Her brows pinch together. “I hope she’s okay.”

I cock an eyebrow. “What the hell are you getting at?”

“Nothing. Forget it.”

“For a second there, I thought you were coming in to tell me you want to take me up on my offer.”

Charlie’s face doesn’t waver. “Your offer?”

“To move in until there’s more room. I heard what happened to your cat. I don’t have any dogs, you know.”

She leans back, looking slightly horrified. “How do you know what happened to Tulip?”

“Quinn,” I huff. “She basically funds the local cat rescue group on her own. She’s at the vet more than anyone I know.”

“More than your mom?” she asks, and a small smile starts to pull up her face. “She still has a million dogs, right?”

“Just four,” I laugh. “Quinn actually does have a million cats, though.”

“Cats are amazing.” Her eyes sparkle even under the dull overhead lights.

“How is your cat?”

Her smile falls and concern takes over her face. “She’ll pull through. I’m lucky I was home to break up the fight.”

I nod. “You are. So when are you two moving in?”

Biting her lip, she gives me a glare. Fuck, that stern look makes my cock jump. What I’d give to have her punish me right now…

“Owen,” she starts but doesn’t finish her thought.

“If you’re unable to resist me, just say it and I promise not to be offended.”

“I can resist you just fine.”

“Then use the guest bedroom for the next few weeks. It has its own bathroom. And I have no pets.”

“Why don’t you?” she asks as if it’s incriminating not to have any.

“I’m not home much. I had a bird for a while.”

“A bird?” She wrinkles her nose.

“Yeah. Someone ditched it in the cage on the side of the road. He was cool and knew how to say ‘fuck’ and a few other choice words.”

“What happened to him?”

I lower my gaze to the bar, stomach clenching just thinking about it. Captain Morgan was a fucking awesome cockatiel. “Jackson let him out when the living room ceiling fan was on high.”

Charlie gasps and brings her hand to her mouth. “Oh my God, I’m sorry.”

I just shrug. “It was an accident. And as far as Jackson knows, Cap is living at the aviary at a zoo. I haven’t gotten any new pets since.”

Charlie tips her head up, holding my gaze for a few seconds. “You really wouldn’t mind having me and my crippled cat at your place for a while?”

“Of course not.”

“If I do this—and that’s a big if—it’s only because I’m literally out of every single other option, and that includes screening in the back porch and living in my parents’ yard.”

“Well, what else would it be?” I lean a little closer. “A chance to win you back?”

“Win me back?” Charlie’s eyebrows go up. “Like I’m some sort of prize?”

“Of course not. You’re a strong, smart, independent woman who I’ve always respected. I was using win you back as a saying, I suppose. But I do plan to.”

Charlie quickly shakes her head and looks down. “Fool me once,” she says so softly I hardly hear her.

“Come to dinner with my family on Sunday. I’ll show you I’m not going to fool you again. Fool around with…yes. But just fool…I’m not that person anymore, Charlie.”

She looks up and I see the hurt in her eyes. It’s only there for a second, and I’m not sure if she’s thinking about us together in the past or her loser fiancé. The guy has to be the world’s biggest dumbass to do anything to lose Charlie.

Right when I think she’s going to say no, her eyes meet mine. “What time?”

“Six.”

“Should I bring anything?”

I shake my head. “My mom’s methods of cooking haven’t changed.”

“So she’s still making enough food to feed a small army.”

“She is, and we usually eat it all.”

“You Dawsons are basically a small army.” Her lips start to curve up into a smile. “And there are more of you now. Is everyone going to be there?”

“More than likely. Sometimes Wes and Archer are called into work, but the rest of the gang will be there. I think you’ll like Danielle, Logan’s wife.”

“It’s still weird to hear you say that.”

I chuckle. “It’s still a little weird for me to say that. And to have him be busy with her all the time.”

“You two were always close.”

I shrug. “It’s a twin thing.”

“And you said that all the time too. I never really understood it.”

Even though Charlie said she didn’t want wine, I grab a bottle just in case she changes her mind. “No one but twins will. It makes it fun.”

“So…I’ll meet you there?”

“I can pick you up.”

“Sure. That would be fine. I take it you remember where my parents live?”

My head bobs up and down. “I drive by every holiday hoping to see you changing in your bedroom window.”

She purses her lips. “That happened once, and—oh my God. You took a picture!”

I was nineteen at the time and mostly took the photo to show her how visible she was from the street. But also, because I was nineteen and making mature decisions every day, of course.

“And it’s printed as a poster and plastered to the ceiling above my bed. Along with some of the other nudes you sent me over the years.”

Charlie just stares at me, and I wonder if she’s thinking how weird it is to be that close to someone, to share something so intimate as naughty photos, and then to just break up and never see each other again.

“I think Logan might have stolen one of my favorites, though.”

“And which one is that?” she asks dryly, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Remember when you were a sexy Bo Peep for Halloween?”

“Oh my God, no!” Her eyes close as she laughs. “We were what, juniors in college then? I have no idea why I thought that was a good costume. Actually, I might still have it in my parents’ basement. I have a few bins of crap down there.”

“Wear it to dinner Sunday.”

She laughs once more, reminding me how much I miss hearing that sound. And the way her eyes crinkle just a bit when she’s laughing. Reaching out, she takes the wine from my hand and pulls out the rubber stopper. She pours a bit in her glass and then looks around once more.

“This place is amazing. I can’t get over how busy it is.”

“Thanks, and you should see it tonight. Fridays and Saturdays are crazy.”

“Maybe I’ll come by some time with Carly. When I’m speaking to her again.” She takes a sip of wine.

“I can imagine things being a little tense since her dogs attacked your cat.”

She nods. “They didn’t do it maliciously, but still…” She lets out a sigh and turns back to me, biting her lip. She’s probably thinking that crashing at my place is a bad idea. And if that’s the case, I’m going to show her just how good bad can be.