Page 53 of The Charm of You

“Too generous. I can’t accept,” I argue.

Bo saunters over with a little too much enthusiasm for my liking, and he points at me. “This guy. He can never accept a favor when it comes knocking. Too proud and hard working. It’s why he frowns so much, you know?”

“I think you’re onto something.” Caroline turns her glimmering gaze onto me once again.

“Hey, Judd!” Bo calls over his shoulder. Even though I object, he continues yelling until Judd emerges from his office.

“What’s gotten into you, Bo?” Judd says.

“Don’t you think Austin should take the afternoon off? We’re ahead of schedule with all the hours this workaholic puts in, and Caroline here wants to go fishing with him.” I didn’t think it were possible, but Bo’s grin widens.

“Is that a euphemism the kids are using to refer to sex these days? Pardon my language, ma’am.”

My groan echoes between us, and it resembles the sound a dying cow makes. They’re fucking killing me, and it’s obvious the only way I’m getting out of this game of who can piss off Austin the most is if I leave.

“Fine. We’ll go fishing.” I glare so hard, my eyes are sore.

“If you insist,” Caroline says in a singsong voice.

“Do you even own normal shoes—a pair of sneakers, perhaps?” I ask doubtfully. “Those heels are going to get ruined faster than you can say the word crankbait.”

“It’s cute that you’re so worried about my shoes, but I brought a variety. Half my car is full of shoes.”

Outside, she skips toward her trunk, from which she retrieves a pair of black-and-white ASICs like she’s holding up a trophy.

“Perfect,” I mutter.

“You two kids have fun.” Bo shuffles by the door. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do…”

I could easily strangle him. I have forty pounds on the kid. Nothing would make me happier than to wrap my fingers around his neck and strangle the damn weasel.

“Thank you so much for covering for him,” Caroline calls out before the shop door shuts behind him. She then turns to me, her sneakers dangling in her hands by the shoelaces. “I’d offer to drive, but my car’s out of commission.”

chapter

sixteen

CAROLINE

When I woke up this morning, I didn’t expect to go fishing today, with Austin no less. I honestly just wanted to get my oil changed, but getting under the broody man’s skin has become my new favorite hobby.

I can’t resist the chance to make such a large, intimidating man flounder—it’s too easy.

I like him.

He’s curt and gruff, but he’s surprisingly easy to talk to. He’s actually fun to be around. On top of it all, he’s made me forget why I ran down here with my tail tucked between my legs to begin with.

The fact that he may or may not have had a crush on me in high school makes my heart rate skyrocket. I’d say I wish he’d admit the truth of it, but could I take it? My heart—and ovaries—might explode.

I wasn’t lying when I told him I shouldn’t be interested in another man so soon after Edward, but it’s hard not to get swept away in this grumpy man’s unexpected charms.

I was also telling the truth when I said I haven’t held a rod in my hand since I was fifteen. What I didn’t say was how much I’ve missed my father today. Talking about him last night brought so many emotions to the surface, and I woke up with a tear sliding down my cheek.

I had a dream of sitting at the breakfast table with Daddy, where I was coloring. I had to have been eight years old, and he smelled of coffee and aftershave. In the dream, he was laughing at a story my mother shared from her spot at the stove, while I quietly hummed. I could still hear the tune in my head when I woke up, but the tear I shed was from the fact that I couldn’t remember if it was a real memory or a figment of my imagination.

It wasn’t until I talked to Austin that I had the idea of going fishing. I thought it might help me connect with Daddy.

Once I’m finished lacing up my sneakers, I lean the back of my head against the seat in Austin’s truck, small wisps of hair flapping across my cheeks like boat sails in the wind.

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