Page 10 of The Burnt
Ariel handed them their menus. “I highly recommend the Salposar. It’s the chef’s specialty. He stuffs a salmon with a pollock that’s stuffed with a Spanish sardine. Then it’s served with a purée of fresh kelp. The fish will be deboned at your table by Frank, our master filletologist. It makes a perfect meal for two,” she added.
“It’s a marine turducken,” Charlie whispered.
“We’ll do it,” Carrie said.
Once Ariel had departed, Charlie put his hand on Carrie’s. “Okay. Tell me what’s on your mind.”
He moved his chair closer to her. Charlie could always tell when she was having man-problems. “So, who is he?”
A soft smile spread across her face.
“You pegged it,” she said.
He quickly filled up her glass. “I know you better than anyone else. Tell me everything.”
“Well…he’s perfect. He’s kind, considerate and really cute. And he’s the greatest cuddler.”
“And what’s the problem you’re having with this world champion cuddler?”
Carrie leaned in. “Well, for starters, I think he’s afraid of commitment.”
“Only an idiot wouldn’t want to commit themselves to you,” Charlie said.
“He seems to be far more concerned about how a relationship will affect his job.”
“Well, what kind of guy puts his job ahead of someone he cares about?” he asked.
Carrie just stared at him.
The penny finally dropped. Charlie sat up straight. “Hey, unfair. You tricked me.”
“No. I just opened the door and you walked right in.”
“We’re here to talk aboutyourproblems, not mine,” Charlie said.
“Butyou, sweet man, are my problem. I’m concerned about you. You’re piling up unresolved problems on top of unresolved problems and I don’t think those shoulders of yours are built to hold that much weight.”
Carrie refilled his glass then reached across the table. She grasped his hands and said, “Talk to me.”
Charlie stared into his lap. “The stress is killing me!”
He pulled away from her grasp and started rubbing the heels of his hands into his thighs.
“I’m terrified about screwing up at work. I mean, what the fuck do I know about being a detective? And you can add that to everything else I don’t know.”
“Like what?”
“Like relationships. I’ve never had one before, at least not a romantic one. And to have the first one with a guy like him…it’s like I chose climbing Everest as my first hike!”
“Trust me, Charlie. No one knows what the fuck they’re doing when it comes to loving someone.”
“I’m worried he’ll get bored of me. I mean, he’s exciting. I’m…Charlie.”
“Well, as a friend, I can say that you arenotboring, and I’ve known you for a lot longer than he has. You’re a beautiful man, full of beautiful surprises.”
Charlie continued, “And then there’s my parents. Their brains pretty well exploded when they found out where I was working. Can you imagine what they’d do if they found out I’m in a relationship with Declan? I can just see it now. ‘Oh, Mom and Dad, you know that guy you blamed for almost killing me? Well, we’re dating now. Oh, and by the way, in case you haven’t guessed, I’m gay! But don’t worry, I fuckhim, not the other way around, so that makes it okay.’”
Carrie burst out laughing. “Declan’s a bottom? I never would have guessed.”
