"No, he's back in Frederick."I bite my bottomlip."Charlie?—"
"How about I come over?"he says, interrupting me."I was hoping we could talk some."
Mychesttightens. This is it. He's ending it. Despite my mental bravado over the past few days, myshoulderssag as Istartthe car."Okay."
"I'll bring the pizza."He shuts the door and taps thetopof the car before sauntering away. I squeeze my eyes shut for a second and breathe through my nose, then put the car in gear and head out. I don't want to see him walking away.
The humidity is high today, and even within the covered garage, the air is so thick that stepping out of my car and to the elevator is like sludging through molasses. I take another shower and reapply my moisturizer, then fret in front of the closet. Do I go with comfy as I planned? My ultra-soft Vuori joggers and brushed cotton sleeveless tee would be my first choice. Or do I go the seductive route with a low-cut fitted tanktopand running shorts toshowoff the tattoo? Maybe the vintage swing dress I thrifted last week? It's cute and feminine. I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard. That's what the old me would've done.
The knock on the door forces me to grab the first thing in front of me, which is how I end upwearinga pinkzippered terry cloth cover-up. My wet hair hangs like strings around my face, but I can't worry about it now. A glance through the peephole confirms it'sCharlie, and I swing open the door, greeting him with a smile stretched so wide it hurts my ears. His smile isn't as brilliant and it only shows one dimple, which causes me to dial down the sunshine a few notches. Heholdsup a pizza box."Anchovies and extra garlic, right?"
I grin at the inside joke."Only if topped with pickled jalapenos."
He walks past me to put the pizza on the small bistro table inside the kitchen whileI closeand bolt the door."One of these days, you're going to try pickled jalapenos and you'llthankme for it."
"Hah."I join him at the table."When you try black pudding."
He shudders andpullsa face. Istartto relax as I gather our plates."Haven't seen much of you lately,"I say, the lightness in my tone belying my anxiety.
"You know how it is coming up to playoffseason,"he says, opening the lid to reveal a very normal pepperoni and green peppers."Coachhas been working you guys hard. We’re just as busy."
"We've only had the one loss thisseason, so there's a lot of pressure."Iholdthe plates while he slides slices for each of us on them.
"HeardTishawon't be able to play in one finalgame."
"They wanted to perform surgery now, but she talked them into waiting until theseasonis over. She's been assisting Donovan with coaching, and I think that might be her next move. She's so good at it.Beer? Wine? Coke?"
"Beer,thanks."
His brows rise as he takes the can of Natty Boh from me."Since when do you keep Natty on hand?"
I shrug and grab a can of Coke for myself."Since you told me it's your comfortbeer."
I realize as soon as the words are out they were a mistake. Casual flings don't do things like keep a favorite beverage on hand. I try to brush it off."There was a six-pack at the register when I was picking up the wine."
"I appreciate it."Hemovesthe pizza box to the counter to make room at the table for us to eat, thenholdsout the chair for me.
"So what else have you been up to?"I ask, dabbing the excess grease off the slice with a napkin."How'sMatt?"
"He's good. Actually, he's engaged."Charliecracks open the can.
"Congratulations. That's exciting."
He takes a sip."Biancawantsa Christmas wedding, so when I'm not at work, I've been helping with wedding preparations."
"Oh."I take a bite of pizza."That explains why I haven't heard from you much."
"Yeah,"he says,puttinghis slice down."About that."
Iholdup a hand, the pizza turning to dust in mystomach."It's okay,Charlie. You don't have to say it. This arrangement we have had a deadline, and now things are getting busy, so you want to end it early. It's okay. I get it."
Charliedrops his slice."That's not what I'm saying at all. In fact, I thought you might be finished with me."
My brow creases."So you aren't ending our fling?"
He releases a quietlaugh."No. No, I'm not."
He opens his mouth like hewantsto say more, then closes it again and picks up his pizza. I hum as relief flows through my veins.
