Page 86 of The Ruined

I imagine that if and when that ever happens, I’d likely stop coming around to family dinners and keep it to holidays only.

Otherwise, I’m looking at endless attempts at setups and talks about my love life.

I step out, finding Charlie in the kitchen, cleaning. She’s dressed in sweatpants and a sports bra. Her blond hair tied over her head.

“What are you doing?”

“Maybe you should go without me. I’m not all that hungry anyway. I do need a workout, so maybe I’ll use your gym while you’re out.”

I grip her waist and lift her onto the counter. “First off, you’re not working out without my supervision.”

“What, are you afraid I’d drop a dumbbell on my foot?”

“Yes. Or pull a muscle or something. You don’t work out. You don’t know what you’re doing.”

She purses her lips, hesitating.

“Second, you’re coming to dinner. Everyone is expecting you, especially Pepper. There's too much testosterone at the table, and she needs another female there.”

She glances up at me. “People are starting to talk. About us. Dinner at Villa Frescos, the Inn, now at your Dad’s.”

I grip the counter, hovering my lips over hers. "Someone approach you?"

She rolls her eyes. "It's not me I'm worried about. I'm leaving. You still live here."

Tightening my jaw, I pull away from her. Both grateful for and cursing the reminder that this is temporary. "I wouldn't worry about it. Besides, I think we’ll silence a lot of people when you show up at the wedding with Landon Humphrey on your arm.”

Her eyes flash the way they do when I mention him, and I hate that I can't fucking place it.

“Come on. It’s family. You’ll be surrounded by all the people who care about you and would never judge you.” I lower her from the counter. "Then later I might help you get a good workout in.”

She looks up at me with a mischievous question. “In your gym?”

I wrap an arm around her and press my lips to the side of her face with a soft murmur. “No.”

“Levi, I hope you don’t mind I invited a few hockey buddies to poker next week.”

Levi shrugs. “It’s your bachelor party.”

“Wait,” Charlie starts. “Are they going to the dinner? I’ll need to change the reservation. How many are we talking?”

I’m relieved her first question wasn’t if Landon would be there.

“Riley, Chris and Landon. Oh, and Coach.”

Levi nods. “Reasonable. Charlie, you think you can squeeze them in?”

Charlie’s eyes are wide as she slides her bottom lip between her teeth. “Umm…gee I don’t know. I guess.”

I touch her arm. “Want me to call the restaurant?”

She swallows, her face turning red and I wonder what her issue is. Is she nervous about Landon and me being in the same room? Will it be awkward? Does she think she’ll need to sit with me instead of him since we’re…getting her ready for her big date?

“No. I’ll call them. So four more, you say?”

“Maybe ask for one long table instead of a round one?” Pepper suggests.

Charlie stands, grabbing her wine and phone with her. “On it.”

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