Page 58 of Charlie Takes a Chance

“Hmm, I was just checking on you.”

She raises her eyebrows at that. “Really? Because it looked like you were sneaking around.”

I grimace at that because I can see the hurt in her eyes. How did we go from fighting over a house to worrying about each other’s feelings?

“I was making sure you were okay before I head out to the barn.”

She nods slowly.

“Okay. You’re fine. Have a good day.” I spin around and start back to the door.

“Listen. About last night,” she calls out to me.

I stop in my tracks. What I’d really like to do is run out of here, but I can’t. Something holds me in place.

“I’m not—” Charlie clears her throat. “I’m sorry I said all that stuff.”

Turning slowly, I take in the sight in front of me. Charlie is shifting her weight from foot to foot, twisting that faucet around in her hands.

“You’ve been…” She trails off again.

I shove my hands in my pockets while I wait for her to continue.

“You’ve treated me like somebody.”

I frown at that. I don’t know what she’s saying.

“What I mean is, you’ve acted like I’m normal and not a novelty.”

“You are normal. What the heck are you talking about?”

She smiles a little at my response. “I’m outspoken, loud, and work in a male-dominated career. Men either treat me like a novelty or the competition.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“You’ve never been out to hurt me or build yourself higher. You’ve never made me feel bad about who I am.”

“That’s not true. I’ve been tempted to toss you in the snow a time or two.”

Charlie plants her free hand on her hip. “What I’m saying is you’ve shown more acceptance of me than my last three boyfriends. I think that’s why I said what I said last night. I think maybe I was misinterpreting things, and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make things uncomfortable for you.”

My heart is making a strange beating pattern as I try to swallow the lump in my throat.You didn’t misread things.Idowant you. But I don’t say that. Instead, I tell her, “If you ever have to change who you are for someone to like you, then they don’t really like you. You deserve better than that, Charlie.”

She nods once. “Thanks, Max.” She swallows audibly. “Gosh, this was embarrassing.”

“Don’t even worry about it.” I wave a hand at her as if that will shoo the problem away. I turn to leave, then stop once more. “The electricians coming today?”

“Yup.”

“I’ll leave Jim with you.”

The smile she gives me is going to be the image stuck in my head all day.It’s the smile that makes me think it’s worth throwing caution out the window.

CHAPTER 24

Charlie

The electrician crew was a dream.

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