Page 39 of That Emerald Vow

“Yeah . . . So how did you get Liam?”

It’s nice to be able to talk to someone about this who understands but isn’t already part of our crew. “Alex doesn’t bother us when it comes to people outside of her network—”

“No, what did you do to make him pay?” she asks as her voice takes a husky tone.

We’re at a red light, so I can turn to look at her. She has a twinkle in her eye and is leaning towards me with intrigue. I never would have guessed I would find this hot—someone excited over violence. But my God, she looks sexy. I tell her all about every little thing we did to Liam. “I am not sure what happened after I left. But I assure you Adrian made him pay until his last breath.”

“Good,” she growls.

We make it to the restaurant she picked out, and I decide to rip the Band-Aid off and take a risk. “So, I’ve been thinking . . .”

Charlie’s eyes immediately go on alert. “Yeah?”

It starts to make me lose my cool. “I—uh—It’s been really nice getting to know you, and I—”

“I’ve loved getting to know you too. Ourfriendshiphas definitely been a highlight,” she says, not daring to meet my eyes.

My jaw ticks at her using that godforsaken word again. I’ve never hated a word more.

At that moment, I realize that without even trying, Charlotte Thatcher has made me fall for her.

Is this how Adrian felt with Lily?

Falling in love feels like a slow progression that builds and builds, but it also feels like it all happened at once. I think I knew the moment I laid eyes on her that first night, but I didn’t have the words to explain it.I guess love at first sight really is a thing.

“Yeah, it’s been great,” I say quickly. “I want to continue getting to know you and am excited to join forces.”

“Yeah. Same here.” She laughs nervously.

I didn’t truly believe this could be something more until the moment the word friendship came out of her mouth again. It’s now cemented deep in my bones that Charlie and I are meant to be more than that. That word feels wrong to describe what this is.

I can wait for her. She is worth waiting for. Plus, I don’t believe she only wants to be friends—not with how nervous she looks. She’s scared, and I get it, ‘cause so am I.

I smirk at her. “Come on, little gem, let’s head inside.” Her eyes light up every time I call her that and it makes my heart skip a beat.

Dinner with Damon the other night was nice, but there was an unspoken elephant in the room. I’d known he wasn’t about to mention how great ourfriendshipis. And of course my big mouth opened, spewing out crap before I could allow him to say anything else. When I spoke to Lily, I wasn’t lying. I need more time to feel this out before we start having those serious discussions. It’s a “not now,” not a “not ever.”

We sadly haven’t been able to hang out since I’ve picked up some extra overnight shifts to help cover after Miley quit to go back to school to be an elementary school teacher. I hope she realizes kids aren’t much easier than crashing patients. Damon and I have been keeping up with each other via daily texts. At first, it was simple things, but slowly and surely, our flirty personalities took over. It’s definitely something I’m not mad about.

Damon:

Good morning, sunshine. I’ve been thinking about you. When can I see you again?

I sit up in my bed, wondering if it’s bad to say I want to see him right now. Wanting to doesn’t mean that I won’t still give him a hard time.

Me:

Well that makes one of us. I am too busy thinking of more important things. ;) Like just about ANYTHING else.

Damon:

Cause you didn’t text me all throughout your shift where you literally do have more important things to think about—like your sick and dying patients.

Me:

Shut up. It was thankfully a boring shift. All my patients were asleep for most of the night.

Damon:

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