Are you home?
Me
Just got in. I was getting ready for bed.
Charlie
Want some help?
I bite mylip, unsure if he's teasing me or if it's a genuine proposition. I type back"sure"and wait for his reply.
Charlie
Don't say it unless you mean it, Coco
Me
Coco? And do YOU mean it?
Charlie
Palmer===Coco
Charlie
I always mean what I say
Me
Then I'll wait for you. Park in the garage and you can come right up on the elevator.
Charlie
Be there in a few
I scramble to brush my teeth and fix my hair, then run through the apartment to make sure I haven't left anything embarrassing lying about. I've just finished when there is a knock on my door. After checking the peephole first, I open the door to a rumpled smokeshowof a man.Charlieisn't in his usual khakis and collared shirt, which he fills out nicely.Tonight, he'swearinga fitted black T-shirt with the Maryland flag andBaltimoreBattle emblazoned across thechest, hanging loose over a pair of charcoal gray basketball shorts. His hair is mussed, a few stray pieces sticking up at odd angles like he'd just rolled out of bed. The dark shadow along his jawline is also new;Charliealways came to work with a smooth face. But I like this version of him. Very much.
"Are you going to let me in?"heasks, one corner of his lips tugging upward in a knowing smirk.
I clear my throat."Of course."
I step back to let him enter, then shut and bolted the door. I turn around and lean against it with my hands behind my back, suddenly nervous."How about adrink? I have a half-bottleof Shiraz, Cherry Cola, or water."
He scrutinizes me, rubbing his stubble as ifdeepin thought."I'm supposed to be helping you to bed, so Cherry Cola would be counterintuitive."
He steps closer, into my personal space, and breathes deeply."Minty, which means you already brushed?"I nod.
"Then that rules out wine. Have you ever had red wine after brushing your teeth?"He cringes."As bad as drinking orange juice."
I lick my lips."Thedrinkis for you, not me."
He rubs his thumb against his lips."I don't need adrink. At least not yet. Maybe after I've eaten."
Istart."Oh, sorry. It's so late, I didn't think to ask. I try to avoid junk food during theseason, but I have plenty of fruits and veggies if you want a snack. Or I can make you a sandwich."
Istartto move past him toward the kitchen, but he grasps my wrist andpullsme to a stop."No, Coco. I don't want you to make me something to eat.Youare my something to eat. Consider this lesson two."
Fifteen
