Page 17 of When You Smile

“And it shows. What’s the best part?”

“I love the way the technical and artistic work together.”

Charlie nodded, studying her unabashedly, taking her time. Taryn felt her stare all over and wondered what she was about to say. “You’re different these days,” were the words Charlie finally chose. “You used to come with this vibration of energy just below the surface, like a sweet puppy dog. Now you seem grounded and unaffected.”

“I’m deciding whether you just threw a rock at me. Ow.”

Charlie laughed and leaned forward lightning fast, arm out in apology. “No. Not like that. In a really impressive sense. I’m saying you know who you are now.”

“Well, I was a kid all those years ago. Lots more energy. Plus, it’s a total act. Don’t buy any of this. I’m a bundle of nerves half the time. For some reason, less so with you.”

“Really?” Charlie seemed intrigued by the confession.

“Oh yes.”

Charlie shook her head in mystification. “If you say so.” She wore a blue knit top that nearly made her glow and brought out the vibrancy of her eyes. Her blond hair had lazy beach waves, which meant the curls had likely loosened as the day wore on. Taryn liked the look a lot. Too much, apparently, because a tingling sensation engulfed the lower half of her body. Here was the thing. She had a mad crush on this girl. Correction, woman. Then again, she likely always had without realizing it back in the day. Charlie was hot and smart and charming, and Taryn’s entire being took notice in her presence. Her only hope was that she wasn’t broadcasting her feelings.

Charlie pointed at the bar behind Taryn. “I’m going to grab a coffee. What can I get for you?”

“No. I’ll get it.” Taryn leapt up and then forced herself to slow her movements. “What would you like?”

“Oh.” Charlie pulled her face back. “You’re gonna buy me a coffee?”

“I am. The extravaganza calls for it.”

She sat back. “Incredibly sweet of you. I’ll take their cookie crumb latte.”

“Okay, but that’s not a coffee.” Taryn winced at the beverage choice and her own blunt response. Her filters didn’t work when it came to coffee.

“It’s not?” An amused grin. “Well, I’m learning so much. Tell me, Taryn, what is it then?”

“It’s a hot milkshake with, I don’t know, a sprinkling of caffeine for decoration.”

“Oh.” She leaned forward. “In that case, I guess I’ll take”—Charlie pursed her lips and made a show of contemplation. It was a stunning sight to behold—“a milkshake in hot form with a sprinkling of caffeine. Sounds amazing.” She sat back, pleased.

Taryn grinned, put in her place and loving it. Charlie knew what she liked and owned it. Badass. “Coming right up.”

She tapped on the bar as she waited on their order, more bonus energy. All the while, she stole glances back at their table, just so damn happy to be in Charlie Adler’s presence again. She was hanging out with the cool girl from back home who used to make Taryn feel exponentially more sophisticated by proximity. Throw in the way Charlie’s boobs filled out her top, and Taryn might be in over her ridiculously lust-spun head.

“Show her you,” she said to herself under her breath. “And no objectification.”

The barista slid the drinks her way and followed her gaze to Charlie. “You got this,” the girl whispered.

“Oh.” She straightened. “No. It’s, uh, not like that.”

“Mm-hmm,” she said with a knowing look on her face. “Whatever you gotta tell yourself. But she’s a snack. I say go for it. Leave no crumbs.”

“Ha. Yeah. I hear you, but it’s never going to happen. Not like that, anyway.”

“No? Have you not looked in a mirror?” she asked, turning with the milk jug and placing it back in the fridge. “If it doesn’t work out with her, come back sometime. I have a friend I could fix you up with. She’d be all about you.”

“Oh. Really? Thanks.” Taryn did her best to absorb the compliment and harness its effects. She carried the drinks back to Charlie, feeling an inch or two taller and a lot less on edge. The problem with the barista’s advice was that Charlie was the straight girl poster child. She had a serious boyfriend, gave off zero queer energy, and used to flirt with the guys around her lifeguard chair in high school. Sadly, Taryn wasn’t exactly her type and knew it. Even if she had been, why would Charlie be interested in an undergrad she used to babysit, for fuck’s sake? There was a babysitter barrier she didn’t have the ability to hurdle. Something about the no-shot-in-hell realization took the pressure right off. The stakes were nonexistent, so she should relax and enjoy Charlie’s company. That helped.

“Hot dessert for you,” Taryn said, with a sly grin.

“Look at you. You’ve grown into a coffee snob.”

“Guilty.” She slid into the chair across from Charlie’s.

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