Page 55 of If My Wishes Came True
I feel a little better when my eyes work their way up to Charlie’s face, and he’s checking me out, too. When our gazes meet, I smile, and he winks at me.
Begrudgingly, I turn to face the other way in Warrior II, but my heartrate has picked up, and my skin is glistening—and it’s not because of the heat index. Somehow, I make it through class, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t spend the entire time in Savasana, our final resting pose, fantasizing about Charlie’s hard body pressed against my soft curves.
“What’d you think of class?” Maya asks us afterward. “Hot, wasn’t it?”
“Very,” I say, trying not to watch Charlie wipe down his muscles with a towel. “But it was such a great flow. You’re a fantastic teacher! I can’t believe you just got certified.”
“Agreed, you’re incredible, Maya. Congrats,” Charlie says, looking proud.
“We’re planning to get breakfast in the neighborhood,” I tell her. “Would you like to join us?”
Maya smiles. “I’d love to, but I have a coffee date of my own this morning.”
Charlie’s face lights up. “No way! Maya, that’s awesome.”
Her freckled cheeks turn red. “Thanks,cousin.” Then she faces me. “I just came out at the ripe old age of twenty-five, and your beau is the first person I felt comfortable telling in our family,” she continues, beaming at Charlie.
He smiles, but waves his hand dismissively. “I’m your only family in Chicago. Who else were you going to tell?”
Maya laughs. “No, really, Jenna. This guy, here, has a heart of gold. The best of the best. He sat right next to me when I Facetimed my mum last week to share the news. It was a shit conversation…but having him by my side made me feel so supported. And safe.”
Now Maya’s eyes are shiny, and mine are stinging as well. I’ve been wondering how I can feel so comfortable with someone I haven’t known very long—but I guess that’s just the kind of guy Charlie is. A guy with a heart of gold, like his cousin said.
The guy I’ve been waiting for my whole life.
I glance at Charlie, whose cheeks are a deeper shade of pink now, too. Could he really be this perfect? What’s the catch?
Just as I’m asking myself that question, Charlie pulls his cousin into a hug and says, “I’m here for you. Whatever you need,” and my heart melts.
Well, if there is a catch, I guess I’ll have to deal with it—because I’m completely head over heels for this man.
“I’m sorry the talk with your mom didn’t go well,” I tell Maya, when she and Charlie pull apart.
She gives me an appreciative nod. “Being a Sutton isn’t always easy.”
I take my gaze from Maya to Charlie. He’s looking down at the sand, his jaw clenched in silent agreement.
“Sorry, Jenna, I didn’t mean to unload my life story on you after a relaxing yoga class,” Maya continues with a laugh. “You just have one of those faces I feel like I can trust. And if my cousin likes you, that means you’re a good egg.”
“You can talk to me anytime, Maya,” I tell her, which puts a smile on her face and Charlie’s. “So, who is this lucky lady you’re meeting for coffee?” I ask, giving her a playful nudge.
“She’s a med student called Elle. She’s lovely, and smart, and—god, I hope she likes me,” she goes on with a worried sigh.
“She will, if she’s as smart as you say,” I reply with a grin. “Well, we don’t want to make you late for your date, so?—”
“Right, I’d better dash,” Maya says, blowing kisses at me and Charlie as she starts to trek through the sand. “Enjoy your brekkie!”
“Brekkie,” I echo, turning to Charlie. “I love that.”
“My dad and his sister were born and raised in London. Maya grew up there, too, hence the accent,” he explains with a smile.
“I had no idea that Sutton’s had an English owner,” I say as we start walking south to a nearby strip of eateries. “But now that you mention it, you guys do have an amazing tea selection.”
“My dad does pride himself on that.” Although he says it with a chuckle, there’s a hint of longing in his eyes—I imagine for the relationship he wishes he had with his father. I don’t mention it, of course. Instead, I use the opportunity to ask Charlie about his family tree.
“So that makes you half English,” I begin, hoping he’ll fill in the blanks for me. I’m dying to know what combination of genes resulted in this beautiful man.
Luckily, he takes the bait. “I’m a mix of a handful of things. Sometimes I make people guess, because it’s fun to hear their answers. But I’m not going to put you on the spot like that.”
