Page 33 of Small City Heart
“Go away,” Patrick grumbled, which only made Charlie laugh harder.
“Lucky for you, that’s exactly what I’m doing. Now that my float has traversed the whole street, I’m set to volunteer at the face-painting booth.”
“That’s very … uh, adorable of you.”
Charlie’s smile softened, and he touched Patrick’s chin as if he couldn’t help but put his hands on him. “I can do butterflies, hearts, and a cat face. That’s everything in my repertoire if you’re interested.”
“I’ll pass.”
Rachel stepped forward. “Can I tag along, Charlie?” She lifted up her camera. “Need some photos for the paper.”
“Sure thing.” Charlie offered Rachel his elbow, and she took it with an eye roll. Before walking off, though, he turned to Patrick. “You’re going to be here tonight, right?”
“Yep.”
“Good. I’ll be watching for you. I want a dance. Maybe more than one.”
Patrick acknowledged that with another blush, then, in the blink of an eye, Rachel and Charlie disappeared into the crowd.
He turned to find his mom watching him with a little tilted smile. “Your mouth is super blue. Not the best look when trying to snag a boyfriend.”
“I’m not trying to snag a boyfriend!”
“Neon blue is a good color on you, though,” she said decisively, and he couldn’t help but sling an arm over her shoulders.
“I’ve missed you.”
“Maybe you need to not avoid Small City for years at a time. Then you wouldn’t be all full of missing, young man,” she teased.
He crossed his hand over his heart. “I solemnly swear.”
And he did. Even if he wasn’t sure about moving back here, it wasn’t the place of his nightmares anymore. He had Charlie North, and Rachel Michaels, and Arnold Mikhailov to thank for helping him see that.
* * *
A muggy breeze sifted through Charlie’s short hair, and he closed his eyes. It was a perfect Kansas evening, not blazing hot but not windy or rainy either. Limestone Drive had been blocked off for the dance, a stage set up at the end of the road in front of the courthouse, and the whole town had turned out for it.
Local vendors sold treats and drinks along the sidewalks, and strings of lights stretched across the street, from storefront to storefront, lighting the block like a fairytale.
He was always in awe of the Alumni Weekend Dance, and it was one of the reasons he’d wanted to volunteer on the planning committee this year. The dance was straight out of a movie. Perfect atmosphere, perfect music and food. People actually danced, the street full of townsfolk two-stepping or swing dancing.
It was beautiful—the beating heart of the whole town—and he hoped he never missed it.
Veronica sidled up to him an hour into the night, and his heart immediately began pounding. “Where’s Patrick?” he asked. Charlie had been busy helping set up and hadn’t gotten a chance to enjoy himself yet.
“He’s stuffing his face with funnel cake and reminiscing about marching band with Suzy. How about a dance?”
“Of course.” His father hadn’t taught him much, but he had taught him how to two-step. He quickly realized, however, this wasn’t a simple dance between friends.
“Now, I quite like you Charlie North, but if you break my Patrick’s heart, I’m going to stop buying you coffee once a week,” Veronica said sunnily.
“Half the time I buy the coffee. Would that still be okay?”
She scowled, so he twisted her into a slow spin. “I’ll allow it,” she said when she returned to his dance hold.
He grinned. “I like Patrick. I don’t intend to break his heart.”
Her mouth tipped down. “I don’t want him to move back here because of a man.”
