Page 69 of When You Smile

“I’m gone on you, Taryn.” She offered a soft smile. “And I may not get everything right all the time. But please know that I’m trying. It’s new to let someone in like this.”

“Just know that you deserve happiness, Charlie.”

And there it was. Evidence that Taryn saw deeper into Charlie than even she realized. Because Charlie often got in her own way when it came to accepting love. After years of being made to feel like she was a burden and a duty, it was hard to believe she was worthy of someone’s sincere affection. What she’d found with Taryn, she had to remind herself, didn’t have to be earned. It was the purest thing she’d ever known.

“Just keep telling me that, okay? It helps.”

“Eighteen times a day if that’s what you need.” She kissed Charlie’s forehead and then placed a lingering kiss on her lips, making Charlie feel like she’d stepped onto the screen of a movie where this beautiful, thoughtful woman was hers, and they were happy with nothing at all in their way. She just kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but maybe it never would. How wonderful would that be? Was it possible she was that blessed?

Chapter Sixteen

It was good to be back.

Taryn’s first spring semester at Hillspoint was underway, and she was more than motivated. She loved her classes and the elevated privileges that came with advancement within the photography department. Her friends had tackled her with hugs and whisked her off for drinks and a catch-up session. But best of all, she’d been reunited with Charlie, who had been the definition of a sight for sore eyes. They’d spent the first couple of days back smiling and staring and acting like people obsessed with each other.

“Do you want to get boring and dessert coffee and people watch?” Charlie had asked that first afternoon.

“Immediately I do,” Taryn said, dashing for her jacket. She’d spent the rest of the evening at the Bump and Grind, talking to Charlie about their new schedules and stealing glances of her profile as she watched customers come and go.

Once classes officially kicked off, the chaos took over. They had to find their focus, and that meant less time together, which Taryn felt all over. Though they’d talk every hour, there were days when it just wasn’t possible to get together. Charlie’s classes, teaching, and work at the library commitments had her busy most every second of the day, which meant Taryn had to rely on memories and daydreams to get her through.

That night, they’d planned on spending the evening together after a whirlwind week. She’d been looking forward to this date of theirs for days, counting the seconds. Unfortunately, Taryn was going to have to occupy herself while at the apartment because Charlie hadn’t made the progress on her short story that she’d been hoping for, which meant she needed the time to write. “I’m just going to make popcorn and sit in a corner and watch the talent work,” Taryn proclaimed.

“I wish it was going to be more exciting for you.” Charlie rested her chin in her hand. “At least we’re in the same room, though. I like having you here.”

An hour later, and Taryn was craving attention. “Wanna take a break soon?” She blinked her eyes slowly.

“No, baby, I can’t be taken in by those big brown eyes and your ridiculous body right now. I’m smack in the middle of this thing.”

“Why not?” Taryn asked with her best pout. Charlie was a sucker for pouting, and she used it to her advantage.

“Because I have a five-thousand-word story due tomorrow. And because I’ve spent every available moment drooling over you and smiling as you talk and watching you taste food, I’m sitting on only two thousand.”

Taryn straightened, feeling the need to help and not distract from Charlie’s goals. “We need a plan.”

“Exactly my thinking.”

“I could stay back at my place and give you the whole night to work.” It was the mature thing to do, even though she craved Charlie in every way possible. They hadn’t had enough time lately, and suddenly it felt like the most precious commodity. Taryn was wildly aware of the calendar and Charlie’s impending graduation date, which meant every moment mattered.

Charlie deflated. Her blue eyes flickered with sadness. “Any other ideas?”

Taryn gave it some thought. “Well. There’s always a reward system.”

“I like the sound of that.” She tapped her cheek. “How’s this? For every thousand words I write, I get ten full uninterrupted minutes with you.”

Taryn made a point of looking thoughtful. “Hmm. I don’t know. What are we going to do in those ten minutes? How would we possibly fill them?”

Charlie closed her eyes, her gorgeous lips parting slightly. Taryn wanted to suck on the bottom one but refrained from saying so. “I can’t really guess,” Charlie said with nonchalance. She shrugged. “I guess we’ll figure that out once we get there.”

“If I’m the reward, I say you get to decide. In the meantime, I’m going to sort through my digitals and organize them by theme and then color because that’s who I’m becoming.”

“You’re already making this sexy.” Charlie’s eyes darkened, and Taryn felt it all over. Nope. Don’t get ahead of yourself.

Taryn took a step back. “Then you better get that first thousand words. I’ll be waiting.” The reality was every inch of her was already longing to kiss, touch, and stare at Charlie up-close and personal. The next fifteen minutes crept by with only the quiet sound of Charlie ticktacking away on her keyboard. The tension in the room was heavy, and Taryn felt it pressing down on her skin. It felt warm in the apartment, but she had a feeling she’d done that to herself.

Another twenty minutes passed. “I’m almost there. Three hundred more words.”

“I’m just gonna take this off,” Taryn said, losing her T-shirt, leaving her in black joggers and a black sports bra.

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