Page 53 of When You Smile

“It really is,” Charlie said, dabbing the corners of her eyes with her napkin. “I’m a sap every once in a while.”

Taryn seemed to register that these were happy tears and reached across the table and took her hand. “I happen to like occasional saps. And I like you. This feels like a win-win.”

The food arrived and the cocktails were at half full, which loosened them up nicely. “When do you head home?” Charlie asked. The fall semester would end in just over a week, and with them being so new, they’d yet to discuss what the month apart would entail.

“End of next week, I take my last final. I’ll probably get on the road the next morning.”

“Back to Dyer.”

“Mm-hmm. Want to come visit? What about Christmas?”

Charlie’s forkful of amazing risotto was placed on pause. “Really?”

The reality was that Charlie didn’t have a family anymore beyond the one she’d made with Danny’s. She’d planned to linger at Hillspoint until closer to Christmas, writing and preparing for the move to New York in May. She was originally supposed to join Danny in Indianapolis for Christmas and New Year’s. Now, she had nowhere to be.

“Are you kidding? I’d love it.” She proceeded to eat, dropping her brows in thought. “But I can’t imagine your parents would want you bringing someone home.”

“They would love every second of it. Same house. Same friendly people. They’d make you cocoa with a peppermint stick and ply you with Hallmark movies.”

“That’s not real.”

“It is.” Taryn cut a bite of chicken. “It’s a two-person operation in Dyer, and you should come witness the wonders. They also dress up and go caroling, likely taking you with them if that’s your jam. Do you sing? I realize I don’t even know. Personally, I prefer to take photos and cheer them on.”

“You’ve offered some really impressive selling points. I do like to sing.” She hesitated because it sounded so wonderful that she nearly turned to tears a second time, which seemed gratuitous. “Why don’t I think about it?”

“Because you’re not sure you want to come or because you don’t want to intrude?”

“Definitely the latter. You all are a family and probably don’t want an outsider at such a special time of year.”

Taryn grinned and chewed her food. “Then it’s settled because you’re forgetting my parents and their overly social agenda. You’re coming to Dyer. The great homecoming. We can take a photo of you next to your old lifeguard stand. Swimsuits are encouraged, but I have selfish reasons to vote yes.”

“Taryn.” Charlie laughed and shook her head, so not used to blushing at comments like that one. Yet this was the new normal.

“Yes?” she asked innocently, blinking her eyes slowly.

“Why are you so adorable?” Charlie asked with a tilt of her head.

Taryn furrowed her brow. “It’s my life sentence.”

“I can’t with you.”

“Yes, you can.”

Charlie let the wineglass linger and peered at Taryn over the top of it. “Yes, I can.” A healthy drink from her glass followed. She placed it in front of her just as an older woman approached their table in a white coat with glasses on her head and brown hair with soft curls.

“How was your dinner tonight?” she asked with kind eyes and a quiet voice as if to purposefully not disturb the ambiance at their table nor the other diners.

“It was the best meal I’ve had in years,” Taryn said. Her plate had been mostly cleaned, and it had been fun to watch her taste and enjoy the food. As with everything, she’d seemed to give a lot of thought to each bite.

“Are you Rosemary?” Charlie asked. It was forward, but she simply had to know.

The woman pulled her face back in exaggerated surprise before breaking out into a smile. “I am. And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?”

“I’m Charlotte Adler and this is Taryn Ross. We’re so happy to meet you.”

“Likewise. Are you celebrating anything special tonight?”

Charlie hesitated, trepidation firing. She looked over at Taryn who nodded her encouragement, and suddenly she felt strong and at home. The truth was she was proud of Taryn, and there was no reason not to share, other than this was all new for her. “We’re on a first date.”

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