Page 78 of The Last Time

Once I pull the anchor up, I sit down and turn the boat around.

With the sun now gone, it’s a bit cooler when the breeze hits you. I notice Charlotte shivering and nod for her to join me.

I motion for her to sit on the edge of the seat, between my legs then wrap my body around hers while I drive.

Her head rests next to mine.

I knew bringing her on my boat was the right decision. She just adds to the peaceful tranquility I feel on here.

She adds it to my life every second that I’m with her.

Once we’re wading through the water, on our way back to the dock, it’s peaceful and dark.

“Thanks for bringing me out here,” she says to me as she starts to pick up.

“Thanks for coming.”

“And to think I almost went out with Avery, Josh, and Paul. I’m glad you asked.”

I clench my mouth tight. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing,” she says coolly. “Avery just invited me to dinner. She said Josh and Paul were gonna be there.”

“Like…a date?” I ask, my mouth set in annoyance.

“No, not like a date. Just friends going out to dinner.”

“I don’t like you going out to dinner with Paul.”

I do my best to park the boat despite the emotions raging through me. As soon as it’s parked, I grab the rope and loop it around the dock.

“Not just with Paul.”

“Yeah, you and Paul with another couple. Sounds like a date to me.”

It’s happening again. I knew letting down my walls was going to kick me in the ass. Here she is, already showing warning signs of someone who is careless with another’s heart.

I should heed the warning and walk away from it all right now.

“It’s not like that,” she defends as I help her back onto the dock.

“Excuse me for not believing a damn thing you say when you were about to go on a double date without telling me.”

As soon as I know she’s got her balance, I storm off toward my truck. I toss the bags in the bed and get into the front, starting the truck immediately.

She lets herself in, and we sit in silence for a minute as I drive.

This time, the silence is deafening. There’s no comfort to it.

“Care to tell me what is going on?” Charlotte asks, breaking the silence.

I grip the steering wheel. “I really shouldn’t have to spell it out for you.”

She replies, voice hoarse with frustration, “Well, I’m not getting it, so you’re going to have to spell it out for me.”

We pull into her driveway, and I slam the truck into park.

“Okay!” I shout. “You want me to spell it out for you? I don’t trustanyone. And when I hear the woman I’m spending all my time with is going on a double date, I’m bound to get a little angry! Because you going to a dinner with a couple and one other man, who might I add, has shown interest in you, that’s called a double date. It’s not that fucking difficult to understand.”

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