Page 76 of Charlie Takes a Chance

“Yeah, I realized you’re probably just going through a phase, and we can work through it together.”

I press a thumb to the middle of my forehead, trying to physically shove away the tension headache forming there.“Bryce…you said you didn’t like that I’m too loud. Too much. That I work in a mostly male field.”

“But see, that’s the thing! I met someone who runs a painting crew, and it’s all women. It would be the perfect job for you.” He smiles brightly as though he’s solved all our problems.

“Do you ever listen to the words coming out of your mouth?” I shake my head. “I’m sorry you wasted your time by driving out here, but there will be no future between us.”

“Youdon’t get to end things between us!” he barks out, his eyes going dark. “It’s over when I say it’s over. Besides, who else is going to be willing to be in a relationship with you?”

Could my embarrassment be any more complete? He comes to this small town, telling everyone how I’m not good enough, that I should change who I am. They’re all listening to his ridiculous words right now, and it’s making me look ridiculous.

I hope Max isn’t hearing any of this.

But then I feel a hand press against my back, and I know he’s here.

And somehow, even though this could be the most embarrassing moment of my life, I know it’s going to be okay because Max is here.

CHAPTER 31

Max

I’d got caught talkingto Jefferson about alfalfa prices when the man walked into the Willow. It wasn’t hard to know he wasn’t from around here. He stuck out like a sore thumb. And then the way he looked around the room and zeroed in on Charlie?

Yeah, I didn’t like that at all.

He’s closer to Charlie than me, so he reaches her first.

“Jefferson, I need to check in with Charlie,” I mutter.

Charlie’s whole body jerks back when the man stops in front of her. She looks tense, and I don’t like that. No one gets to make her feel nervous.

I sigh with relief when I see Bliss step up next to Charlie. That’s two formidable women arm in arm.

It takes me way longer than I would like to weave my way through the full room, but I finally reach Charlie’s side just as the man raises his voice at her. I want to throttle him, but I settle for resting a hand against her lower back.

Darlene cuts in, “I think Charlie has made it clear she’s not interested.”

The man turns to her. “Charlie doesn’t know what she wants.”

“I’ll tell you what she doesn’t want—” Darlene’s voice fades as I focus on Charlie.

She glances up at me with what looks like relief in her eyes. “Do you want a guess?”

“Bryce.”

She nods and sighs. “How did I date someone so unhinged? He just showed up here like I would want to get back together with him.”

That’s not something I want to dive into with her. Because it would involve me telling her that she doesn’t know her own worth and how amazing she is. That’ll be a conversation for when we get home. “Want me to do something about him?”

“Hey, man, I’m standing right here!” Bryce interjects, finally turning his attention to the two of us.

I ignore him, meet Charlie’s eyes, and see the conflict warring there. “It’s okay. I can handle him.”

“I know you can. But I’ll gladly do it so you don’t have to.”

Her scowl relaxes as she watches me shift forward. “Alright.”

“Are you bothering Charlie?” I ask in a low voice from beside her.

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