Charlie put her fork down. “When is she relocating?”
“From what I hear, as soon as possible. The client wants to get started right away. But she has some things to sort out in New York first.”
“Of course.” Charlie nodded absentmindedly.
“You’re taking this very graciously, Charlotte,” Nick said. “You’ve grown as a person.”
“You were right, I guess. It has been ten months now.”
“And not to worry, Christian will stay in New York.”
“He’d better take good care of Stella and Fritzie.”
“The children, erm, I mean cats,” Nick explained to Ava.
Charlie slapped Nick playfully on the back of the head.
Nick ignored her and continued, “They’ll commute back and forth every other week or so.”
Charlie decided to postpone the long-awaited confrontation with her ex a little while longer. Odds were, Jo would spend a considerable amount of time with Nick and Jason. That meant she needed to make some sort of peace, because, arranged or not, they would see each other again soon.
The rest of the night’s conversation meandered through a variety of easy topics, and Charlie started to feel almost fully relaxed in Ava’s company as midnight approached.
They brought the used dessert dishes to the kitchen together, insisting that Nick and Jason stay put at the table.
After they’d deposited the crockery on the counter, Ava leaned against it and regarded Charlie. She looked so regal, and even taller than normal in those slacks.
“So?” she asked.
“So… what?”
“My signed copy of Crying Rivers ?” Ava grinned.
“Oh, right. I’m sorry, I haven’t been able to come up with something suitable yet.”
“Should I take that as a compliment?” Ava cocked her head.
“Definitely.”
“Well, then I insist you hand deliver it to my house later this weekend.”
The words Not safe! Not safe! flashed in Charlie’s brain. “Okay,” she said, bypassing her gut instinct. “I’ll bring my own bathing suit this time, just in case.”
“Pity. I was hoping to put a slinky tiger print number on you.” Ava smiled and Charlie melted all over again.
“Not a chance.” Charlie wanted to stay in this almost tender moment of flirtation for the rest of the weekend, but Ava pushed herself away from the counter. Wordlessly, they headed back out.
After they said their goodbyes—which included a loose hug that lingered a few moments longer than politeness required—Charlie went home and tortured herself some more by watching Knives Out videos on YouTube.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
After Sunday’s softball game, Charlie skipped post-game drinks, and declined an invitation from Liz and Sarah to join them for dinner with a few friends at their house.
Fully aware of her one-track mind, Charlie drove to Malibu, determined to somehow hash out this ever-growing attraction to Ava, without actually acting on it.
When she rang Ava’s bell, though, it took several minutes—long enough for Charlie to worry—before Ava opened the door. When she finally did, Ava’s lips were drawn in a thin line and the whites of her eyes were dotted with tiny burst veins.
“Are you all right?” Charlie asked.
Ava just stood there and looked at Charlie. “Not according to some people.”
“Erm, can I come in?”
“Oh, yes, of course.” Ava moved to the side and closed the door behind Charlie. No hello kisses or embraces were exchanged.
“What’s wrong?”
“I had brunch with my so-called friend Eric and he gave me a piece of his mind.” Ava marched through the house. “Do you want a sherry?” With a snap of her wrist she opened the liquor cabinet in the living room.
Charlie figured she had enough time to sober up before heading back home, and it was always better to drink with a friend when distressed. “Sure.” Ava deposited the sherry glasses on the table with two resolute bangs.
“Why don’t I pour?” Charlie asked. “You sit down.”
“Gosh, I’m sorry, Charlie. Where are my manners?”
“From what I hear, as soon as possible. The client wants to get started right away. But she has some things to sort out in New York first.”
“Of course.” Charlie nodded absentmindedly.
“You’re taking this very graciously, Charlotte,” Nick said. “You’ve grown as a person.”
“You were right, I guess. It has been ten months now.”
“And not to worry, Christian will stay in New York.”
“He’d better take good care of Stella and Fritzie.”
“The children, erm, I mean cats,” Nick explained to Ava.
Charlie slapped Nick playfully on the back of the head.
Nick ignored her and continued, “They’ll commute back and forth every other week or so.”
Charlie decided to postpone the long-awaited confrontation with her ex a little while longer. Odds were, Jo would spend a considerable amount of time with Nick and Jason. That meant she needed to make some sort of peace, because, arranged or not, they would see each other again soon.
The rest of the night’s conversation meandered through a variety of easy topics, and Charlie started to feel almost fully relaxed in Ava’s company as midnight approached.
They brought the used dessert dishes to the kitchen together, insisting that Nick and Jason stay put at the table.
After they’d deposited the crockery on the counter, Ava leaned against it and regarded Charlie. She looked so regal, and even taller than normal in those slacks.
“So?” she asked.
“So… what?”
“My signed copy of Crying Rivers ?” Ava grinned.
“Oh, right. I’m sorry, I haven’t been able to come up with something suitable yet.”
“Should I take that as a compliment?” Ava cocked her head.
“Definitely.”
“Well, then I insist you hand deliver it to my house later this weekend.”
The words Not safe! Not safe! flashed in Charlie’s brain. “Okay,” she said, bypassing her gut instinct. “I’ll bring my own bathing suit this time, just in case.”
“Pity. I was hoping to put a slinky tiger print number on you.” Ava smiled and Charlie melted all over again.
“Not a chance.” Charlie wanted to stay in this almost tender moment of flirtation for the rest of the weekend, but Ava pushed herself away from the counter. Wordlessly, they headed back out.
After they said their goodbyes—which included a loose hug that lingered a few moments longer than politeness required—Charlie went home and tortured herself some more by watching Knives Out videos on YouTube.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
After Sunday’s softball game, Charlie skipped post-game drinks, and declined an invitation from Liz and Sarah to join them for dinner with a few friends at their house.
Fully aware of her one-track mind, Charlie drove to Malibu, determined to somehow hash out this ever-growing attraction to Ava, without actually acting on it.
When she rang Ava’s bell, though, it took several minutes—long enough for Charlie to worry—before Ava opened the door. When she finally did, Ava’s lips were drawn in a thin line and the whites of her eyes were dotted with tiny burst veins.
“Are you all right?” Charlie asked.
Ava just stood there and looked at Charlie. “Not according to some people.”
“Erm, can I come in?”
“Oh, yes, of course.” Ava moved to the side and closed the door behind Charlie. No hello kisses or embraces were exchanged.
“What’s wrong?”
“I had brunch with my so-called friend Eric and he gave me a piece of his mind.” Ava marched through the house. “Do you want a sherry?” With a snap of her wrist she opened the liquor cabinet in the living room.
Charlie figured she had enough time to sober up before heading back home, and it was always better to drink with a friend when distressed. “Sure.” Ava deposited the sherry glasses on the table with two resolute bangs.
“Why don’t I pour?” Charlie asked. “You sit down.”
“Gosh, I’m sorry, Charlie. Where are my manners?”
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