Page 43 of The Rookie

But I fucking like her. A lot.

“Yeah, just too busy eating to talk,” I fib. I take a big sip of coffee and Charlie bites her lip as she refills my mug, and my mind goes back to when I had her bent over the table, filling her with my cum. Fuck me twice.

I go quiet and eat while Charlie and Jules talk about Nina’s romance books, and the careers of the other women in our group. Charlie listens, fascinated, and once I finish scoffing my food, I start to gather up the plates.

“Leave them for us,” Jules says. “I can’t be useless all weekend.” She glances at Rider. “Let’s stack them for later. I’m anxious to go explore.”

We stack the dishes in a bin and ten minutes later, we’re all in the Jeep, with Charlie driving us to Pond Cove where we’ll begin our hike. I take in the gorgeous scenery again as she drives, and Jules has her phone out to take a video.

“I can’t wait to take Sophie here when she’s big enough,” Rider says.

“Yeah, she’ll love this. Ohmigod, look at all the seals,” Jules shrieks.

I gesture with a nod to the hill Charlie and I picnicked on. “We can go to the hill to get a better look.”

“I am so glad we came here.” I look over my shoulder to see Jules’ huge smile. “What other things do you suggest we do when we’re in town, Charlie?”

She puckers her lips in thought. “Next weekend is Digby Days. It’s the town’s big scallop festival.”

“Right, I forgot about that,” I say. “Are you away here doing tours on the weekend?”

She shakes her head. “No, I booked it off. My sister will be doing the tour.” Charlie looks a bit sheepish when she says, “I’m signed up for the scallop shucking contest on Friday afternoon. The parade and most of the events are on Saturday, and of course fireworks both Friday and Saturday night.”

I grin at her. “Scallop shucking? Are you kidding me?”

She lifts her chin. “I don’t plan to relinquish my trophy any time soon.”

I laugh. “You won last year?”

She blows on her knuckles and buffs them. “Uh, yeah.”

“I can’t wait to see you win this year,” I say and give her a wink, totally impressed.

She crinkles her nose. “You don’t have to watch. You’ll probably be bored to death.”

“Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t miss you winning the title again for the world.”

“I like your confidence in me.”

“Charlie, you can do anything you put your mind to. I have no doubt.”

She smiles and glances at Jules in the rearview mirror. “The festival starts Friday and runs until Sunday afternoon. Lots of people come from all over, and many who moved away come back home for it.” I nod in agreement. Last year I never made it back. I was too busy setting up my life in Seattle. “You picked a good week to be here if you’re into scallops and parades and fireworks.”

“We’re into all that stuff,” Rider says.

“Don’t forget I want to get back to the city,” Jules says. “I want to try that restaurant we walked by last time.”

“Which one?” Charlie asks.

“The Bicycle Thief, that fancy-looking place on the water with seats overlooking the harbor. I really want to get dressed up and enjoy a little fine dining in the city. Maybe we can do that Friday night after Charlie wins her shucking contest. That way we don’t miss the parade Saturday, and we’re up first thing to leave early Sunday.”

Charlie nods. “It’s such a great restaurant, Jules.” I’m about to ask her to come along on a double date when she speaks. “During the festival there’s a demonstration for scallop shucking on Saturday if you guys are interested. I’ll be volunteering.”

“I’m game for anything,” Jules says, practically bouncing in her seat.

Charlie turns into the cove and parks. Jules jumps from the back seat to get a better look at the beach and seals and Rider follows her out.

I grin and give Charlie’s leg a squeeze, thanking her for giving my friends such a nice adventure, and reminding me of the festival. “Come to dinner with us Friday night,” I blurt out.

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