Page 22 of Charlie

"Ummm..." I take another bite, thinking. "I'm a girl that's sick of letting shit happen to her, so instead, I'm learning how to make shit happen." Fuck, that sounded prophetic.

"I like you, Charlie," Isla says, eyes sparkling over a wide grin.

"I like you, too," I laugh, "So what's on the agenda?"

Isla pulls a folded piece of paper out of her back pocket and reads off the list, ticking each one off on her fingers. "Grocery, florist, hardware store, party supply. I know that's a lot, but we can go out and have some fun afterward. Maybe it'll make up for it."

Lachlan pushes away from the table. "Meet you both back here in twenty minutes."

"Thanks for breakfast!" I call as I head for the front door.

The day flashes by in a whirlwind. Store after store, shopping bag after shopping bag until they're crowded around Isla in the back of the car.

"I need to buy a truck," Isla grumbles as she squeezes herself into the back, declining, yet again, to sit in the front.

"What kind of car do you have?"

"I have a mustang and a motorcycle."

I twist in my seat to face her. "Damn! Seriously?" It's hard to imagine her tiny body on a motorcycle.

"Seriously." She beams. "They're my pride and joy. I'll show you next time we have a chance."

"Are we still going to do the 'fun' part I was promised this morning?" Lachlan asks as we get in the car after the last store.

"Let's go skating! It's right there!" Isla begs, pointing out the skating center.

"Don't you have to work tomorrow?" Lachlan asks.

"And?"

"Fine. Are you good with that, Charlie?" He glances over at me, his eyes glowing in the evening light.

"I haven't been skating since elementary school, but I'm willing to try."

"I'll help you," Lachlan says, cocking his eyebrow when I blush. I get out of the car before my body can give anything else away.

It's dark inside; black lights and smoke machines are everywhere. Lachlan pays again, completely ignoring my protestations. The three of us sit side-by-side on a bench lacing up our skates. Lachlan is next to me, his thigh pressed to mine, his arm brushing against mine every time he pulls at his laces. Every touch sends sparks shooting through me, each one lodging in my core until I'm on fire. Lachlan finishes before me and crouches down, helping me with my other skate.

"I've enjoyed spending time with you today," he whispers after Isla pushes away from the bench. He ties the bow and rests his hands on my knees, starting to push himself up. Before he can stand, I pull his face to mine, pressing my lips to his. He cradles my head with his hand, his fingers threading through my hair. His tongue swipes over my bottom lip before he bites it softly. Every nerve ending in my body comes alive. He pushes off me smoothly, skating backward with his hands held out to me. I stand up slowly, shuffling my feet toward him.

"Take my hands."

"How will you skate if I'm holding your hands?" I ask, envious of the people flying around the rink.

"Trust me, Charlie." He beckons with his fingers; I grab onto him and immediately lose control. My feet start to slip out from under me, but Lach grabs me around my waist, steadying me. He moves back as soon as I have my balance, taking my hands in his once more. He helps me step down onto the rink, and we skate a slow lap. I cling to the wall when we get close to our starting point, waving at Lach to keep going. He skates away – still backward – holding my gaze. He grins before flipping around. My mouth hangs open as I watch him skate. His movements are fluid, weaving in and out, turning forward and back.

"Get ready!" he says on his second pass.

"Ready for what?" I ask, but he's already halfway around the rink. I shriek as he skates up behind me, barely slowing. He scoops me up in his arms, one hand gripping under my knees and the other around my back. I wrap my arms around him in a vice grip.

"Trust me," he whispers, his breath hot on my ear.

I force myself to relax my muscles as we zoom around the rink. Two laps in, the mood in the rink changes as a sweet, slow song comes on. Lach skates to the center of the rink and sets me down gently, running one hand down my calf to my foot, angling it forward so the toe stop is pressed to the floor.

"That will help you keep your balance," he murmurs, pulling my arms up around his neck and then wrapping his around my waist. I look around and spot Isla among a sea of couples swaying back and forth in time to the music.

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

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