Page 62 of Never Kiss and Tell

“That’s what I thought.”

“So, why do you do it?”

He shrugs. “Blow off steam. Helped me quit drinking after Mom died.”

Oh. I hadn’t known that. Looking back on how badly he was struggling then, I wish I would have reached out after the funeral. He was so upset that day, as you can imagine. I’m sure he needed someone to lean on. I was too concerned with how he dismissed me and Drew’s attitude about me being alone onthe terrace with him, that I didn’t think that maybe, Charlie was just deeply, deeply unwell.

“How was the party?” he asks, trying to change the subject. I let him, this time, knowing if I press him about his mom, he’ll only get angry.

But I also don’t want to talk about the bridal shower. I look up at the sky, but unfortunately, there are too many clouds to see anything.

“No stars,” I murmur.

“Bailey,” he warns, his eyes on my face, searing a hole through my skin.

“Fine,” I sigh, facing him. “It sucked.”

He chuckles, moving closer. His arm is so close to my leg, I can feel the heat coming from his skin. It’s distracting and makes goosebumps rise on my skin. “Tell me more.”

“All the women hate each other, but no one’s brave enough to say anything. Everyone’s so focused on looks and status and being snooty that I don’t think anyone had any fun. Not even your sister. She looked miserable from the moment I got there.”

“Sounds normal,” he nods.

“Oh,and,” I snap, remembering Camille and her dismissal of Lionel. “Your aunt was incredibly rude to Lionel when she found out he was gay. She wouldn’t even shake his hand.”

“I hate to tell you this, but Camille is rude to everyone. She probably just did it behind your back.”

That makes me feel better, I think, dryly.

“I’m serious. She hates everyone.”

I shake my head, the worry starting to sink back in. “I don’t know. I think it just felt too much like California.”

He watches me for a moment, like he’s studying me. Maybe he’s thinking about what he’s going to say for once, rather than just throwing an insult my way.

“You don’t sound too happy about that.”

I chuckle humorlessly. “I guess I was just enjoying a simpler life.”

No gowns. No balls or fancy dinners to attend. No appearances to keep up. Just me.

After a long moment, Charlie speaks up, that usual mocking tone back. “You know,” Charlie says, stepping off the wall and floating into the center. “Don’t feel too superior about Mawmaw liking you. She can’t hear very well.”

What a jerk. I splash him and he splashes me back, dousing me with cold water that runs down between my breasts and makes me shiver.

“You know, don’t feel too superior about your dick. I’m sure there are better,” I snap back before I even think about it.

Charlie’s eyebrows raise and he tilts his head dangerously.

“Charlie, don’t,” I warn, holding up my hand and he steps toward me. It’s no use. He grabs my hand and yanks me forward until I crash into the water beside him. It’s cold, not freezing, but enough of a shock that it startles me. When I come up, sputtering, Charlie is chuckling, actually laughing, for once.

“Youasshole,” I sputter, leaping onto his back and pushing him into the water. I get the feeling he let me do it, considering he’s a whole foot and a couple inches taller than me, but I’m still counting it as a win.

When he comes up, he shakes his head and wipes his eyes, before facing me with a dangerous look on his face.

“Charlie,” I caution, backing away from him as he stalks toward me. I laugh, mostly because I’m nervous, but also because this is the first time I’ve seen him really playful. Normally, he’s so serious that I forget hecanhave fun.

He chuckles, but it sounds like a predator cat hunting a little mouse.

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