Page 53 of Charlie Takes a Chance

It’s mainly all people I know from the local area. There are some unfamiliar faces but the majority are visiting family.

Ellie Jefferson is the only person I’ve seen glare at Charlie, and I think that’s probably my fault. I made the fateful mistake of walking into the building with Charlie. Ellie has made it no secret that she wants me to date her daughter, Bliss. She only suggests it every time I see her.

I glance across the room at Bliss, who is sitting at one of the square tables chatting with Darlene. Bliss has dark, wavy hair. Long lashes. Red lipstick. She’s a pretty girl. She seems nice, too. I actually like her. And we’ve already come to an understanding that we should not date.

I watch as Zane Madden walks up to Charlie, where she’s standing at the bar talking with Billy. She says something to Zane, and he laughs. Billy looks thrilled, which makes me think he’s a little too hopeful about a possible wedding. Poor guy is desperate to have grandchildren. Billy and Zane are good people. That doesn’t mean I want to see Charlie stumble all over herself for him. So what if he’s good-looking? And nice? She doesn’t need somebody like that. I swallow the lump in my throat as I watch them walk onto the dance floor together. I watch as Charlie places her hand in his and I don’t know why it makes my vision go dark.

Zane places a hand on her hip, and they begin to sway to the music. I already know what it feels like to hold Charlie in my arms, so I know exactly what Zane is feeling right now.

“They look good together,” someone says from behind me.

I turn around to find Bliss standing there. I didn’t even notice her get up and walk over here. I was too focused on Charlie and Zane. “I guess it depends on what you mean by they look good together.”

Bliss shrugs. “They look like they’re having fun.” Bliss doesn’t look likeshe’shaving fun. She looks like she’d like to be anywhere but here. She looks like she’s doing her best to disassociate.

“Charlie’s only here for a short time,” I tell her, but really, it’s just a reminder for myself.

Bliss finally turns to look up at me, pulling her penetrating gaze away from Zane and Charlie.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be morose.”

I study her face for a minute before I ask, “Have you ever said anything to Zane?”

Bliss throws her head back and laughs. “Now, that would be funny.”

“What would be so funny about that?” I ask her.

“I regret ever saying anything to you about that little crush.” She scowls up at me.

I grin at her. “It’s too late. We’ve already decided that I’m too close to being a big brother to you for us to get together.”

Bliss laughs at that. “I keep trying to explain that to my mother, but I think she’s about ready to start copying and pasting you into family photos.”

I glance at Bliss’s mom and decide she really has been glaring at Charlie all night. She’s looking at Charlie like she came to steal all happiness and joy this holiday season.

Bliss nudges me with her elbow. “Oh, please, I saw how you walked into the room with her. And I saw you glare at anyone under the age of 60. Of course, maybe you should be worried about my grandpa. He is single and ready to mingle.” Bliss points to her grandpa, who is in his mid-80s. He’s chatting it up with Darlene.

“Well, you could always introduce him to Charlie. Maybe they’ll hit it off. Because I definitely am not going to take anything anywhere with her.”

Bliss shakes her head. “I don’t know. I liked her when you two came to get the tree from Dad this week. She seemed nice. Normal. She seems like she wasn’t afraid of a little bit of a grumpy workaholic hermit.”

“I am not a grumpy hermit,” I try to defend myself.

“I wasn’t talking about you. I was talking about my grandpa when he came out to talk to her.” She laughs.

Oh. It sounds ridiculous now that I replay it in my head. I’ve just outed myself as obsessed with Charlie.

“You should ask her to dance,” Bliss suggests.

“You just don’t want her dancing with Zane.”

Bliss shakes her head. “I’ve decided this whole liking him thing is going to have to end. I think I need to do something about it.”

“That’s what I’ve been telling you. You should talk to him. Ask him out.”

Bliss looks at me with a surprised look on her face. “That’s not what I meant! I’mnotgoing to talk to him. I’m going to try and date somebody else! I’ve been letting that man rule my decisions and he doesn’t even know I’m alive.”

When she puts it that way… I turn back to see Zane and Charlie leave the dance floor and beeline for us.

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