Page 57 of The Charm of You

We’re on fire, him and me. Not even the entire river could douse this flame, and it’s about time we stopped fighting this attraction. It’s like trying to alter the direction of the wind, or the position of the sun—it’s no use.

And as he devours my mouth, his strong hands firm on my body, there’s no doubt in my mind or my heart that this is exactly what I want.

For the last few days, I’ve wandered around Sapphire Creek as a lost woman, but in Austin’s arms, I’m finally in the right place, if only for a few fleeting moments.

chapter

seventeen

AUSTIN

I remember a time when my life was simple. Nothing about this week has been simple. In fact, it keeps getting more and more complicated with each passing day.

I have a gorilla in my garage.

My usual booth at the Tap is occupied.

And my skin still burns from when Caroline Summers touched me earlier this afternoon.

I’d still be kissing her had Addie not called her to help with decorations at the Buchanan House. I had to leave, anyway, since my mom texted me to get her eggs, flour, and sugar for a cobbler she’s making.

I should’ve been happy to cut our make-out session short. I shouldn’t have kissed Caroline in the first place. But I’m sliding into an empty booth at the Tap like someone rear-ended my truck.

Because instead of being relieved for the interruption, I’m disappointed we had to leave.

Cole taps on his phone screen as he sits opposite me in the booth, his red-and-black plaid shirt nearly identical to mine.

“We look like fucking dorks,” I grumble, pointing at our matching attire.

Rather than agreeing as I suspected him to, he smirks. “I was thinking of sending a Christmas card this year. We should take our picture now.”

I roll my eyes as Scarlett practically bounces to our booth, an apron tied around her waist and a notepad in hand. “You know what I was just telling Matilda?”

“This should be good…” Cole plays along and sets his phone aside.

“I was telling her how badly I love seeing Cole Rivers on his nights off. I just don’t get enough of him during his bar shifts.” The young girl squeals sarcastically. “And do you know what I love more than seeing you on your nights off? Waiting on you during your nights off.”

“Here I thought you were going to say Taylor Swift.” Cole releases a small laugh.

Scarlett points a stern finger in his face. “Don’t you dare disrespect the queen.”

“I wasn’t! It was an accurate and totally plausible notion.” He holds his hands up innocently.

“You’re on thin ice, Mr. Bigshot.” She tsks, using the nickname like it’s a mix between a term of endearment and an insult.

Cole told me he used to hate it, since it reminded him of his former life as a bigshot lawyer in Charleston, but since he made his peace with it, he now seems to have a soft spot for the nickname.

A certain girl from Atlanta definitely had a lot to do with his newfound peace too.

Fucking city girls.

Scarlett taps her pencil against the notepad. “I’d ask for your order, but I’m going to go out on a limb and guess half a dozen wings with barbecue sauce, a side of ranch, and two Michelob Ultras?”

“You’re correct,” I confirm.

“Really living on the edge, Mr. Homecoming Queen.”

I whip my head toward her. “What?”

---