Charlie's Last Stand Read Online Free PDF Page B

kiss as she pleased?
    The blood rushed through her veins as she tried to keep
herself grounded in front of him. She'd be a puddle of goo at his feet if this
lasted much longer. She wanted Chris so desperately, she wasn't sure if she'd
burst into flames when they finally kissed.
    “Charlie...” His lips barely moved as he said her name.
Chris, the man she thought she understood above everyone else, confused her.
She couldn't tell if it was need or something else laced in the way he looked
at her.
    She couldn't stay suspended in this moment of expectation
forever. Even with her heels, she was still inches shorter than him. She lifted
herself up on her toes. The frustration of needing him closer finally urging
her to move. Then the look in his eyes changed and he almost knocked her off
balance as he pulled her closer into a hug.
    Her breath escaped out of her in one disappointed huff but it
was muffled by his shirt. She held her body stiff against his. The need to sink
into him dissipating in the wake of utter confusion.
    Had she been so completely blind in her own feelings that in
those twenty seconds she read desire and need in a friendly glance?
    “Charlie, your friendship means more to me than anything
else. I'm not making any decisions without your input.” He stepped back and
looked down at her face.
    She nodded to give him some indication that she understood
and he let go.
    “I have to get back to work.” He paused with his hand on the
door. “We're both busy tonight but maybe you can save some time for me tomorrow
to talk about the offer. How's breakfast sound?”
    She answered on autopilot. Her disappointment turning into
disillusionment and bitterness. “Better make that lunch.” She felt a thin smile
cross her face. “Just in case.”
    His eyes narrowed, and he opened his mouth to say something
but seemed to think better of it. He left her office, taking every bit of hope
and faith she had with him.
    She didn't let the feeling settle over her until she had
reached the door and clicked the little lock. She turned around, taking in the
small space. Every little detail, from the dark wooden bookcases to the paint
on the walls had been chosen by her. The rugs and the magazines in the waiting
room, the medical supplies she'd poured over in catalogs. All of it had been
lovingly picked out for him. And now their relationship was reduced to a hug
over a major business decision.
    Where was the kiss that was going to make him realize that
he couldn't live without her? Where was the passion that she knew was brewing
underneath their comfortable friendship?
    She felt the first sob well up and tried to stifle it. She
was at work, and she’d promised herself she wouldn't cry. No matter what the
day brought. At least she hadn't humiliated herself in front of him. How
horrible would it have been if she’d actually initiated a kiss with Chris, when
all he was intending was a friendly embrace? When a second tear ran down her face,
she grabbed up a tissue and dabbed at them, taking care with her makeup.
    Chris had plans for the night? Well, so did she. She picked
up the business card she'd left by the phone on her desk and dialed the number.
    She smiled when she heard Rob's rough voice on the other
end. Her message was short. She was on. She left her cell phone number and told
him that she was up for whatever he wanted to do.
    No need to worry about babysitting. After all, her brother
already knew she wasn't available.
    She hung up the phone and imagined his smile. Rob was a
cutie, wore motorcycle boots, and brought her cupcakes. New Year's Eve didn't
have to be a total waste.
    She pulled out the mirror she kept in her desk and fixed her
makeup. All the while, she pushed Chris out of her mind and dragged Rob into
focus. A hot guy was interested in her, and she wasn't going to lose her chance
with him on memories and wishful thinking. She got through a painful divorce,
the loss of a career she loved, and possibly the loss of