Page 134 of The Charlie Method

“I do too,” Will admits quietly. “As another member of the only child club.”

I glance back at Charlie. “If it were me, I’d make the effort to get to know him. You might regret it if you don’t at least try.”

The kettle clicks, and I duck back into the kitchen to prepare Charlie’s tea, hearing them continue to talk about the situation in the other room. A minute later, I bring her a steaming mug and set it on the table next to my beer. I settle on the other end of the couch, keeping some distance between me and Charlie.

“Let’s not talk about it anymore,” she says.

Will tips his head toward her. “You sure? ’Cause we’re happy to listen.”

“I know, and I appreciate it. But it’s just too much to think about. It’s going to overload me.”

“Does that happen a lot?” I ask her. “Getting overloaded?”

“I mean… Yes. I’m a STEM major. It’s senior year. I’ve got a capstone project to finish. Grad school essays that are due. I’m the VP of finance of my sorority, and we’re planning a huge gala. I’ve got a Little I’m supposed to mentor. A biological brother who showed up out of nowhere. I’m lusting over two boys—”

She stops, her mouth snapping shut.

Will grins.

I can’t stop a chuckle. “Lusting, are we?”

“Just shut up.”

We both laugh harder.

“Very mature of you, Charlotte,” I chide.

“I’m not Charlotte. I’m Charlie right now. Charlie tells people to shut up.”

“Yeah. What else does Charlie do?”

When she frowns, I realize how that sounded.

“That wasn’t a challenge,” I assure her. “I promise. No expectations tonight.”

“No?”

“We’re just watching a movie. Like last time.”

“Last time ended with sex.”

“Doesn’t mean that’s the precedent.”

“That’s exactly what setting a precedent is!” She sighs, glancing at the screen, which is frozen on a shot of Professor Qualls about to kiss the hot diamond thief he saved in the last movie. “Fine. What are we watching? Another one of your love-triangle rom-coms where you get to see boobs?”

Will chuckles. “No. It’s the most recent installment in the Timeline franchise. Number four.”

“You know, I’ve never actually seen these movies.”

I gape at her. “How is that possible?”

“I don’t have time to watch movies. Did you not hear that entire list of stressors I recited for you?” She pulls her knees up, making herself more comfortable as Will unpauses the movie. “Do you need to catch me up on the first three?”

“Nah, they’re all self-explanatory. That’s the professor who invented the time machine. The hot blond is his current love interest, but she’ll betray him. They always do. And the dude walking in right now is Professor Qualls’s son.” I nod at the bearded man gracing the screen.

“Wait, that’s his son? They look the same age—Ohhhh.” She nods. She gets it. “Time travel.”

Will snickers. “We’ve got a smart cookie over here, Beck.”

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