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“I can’t imagine you giving a baby a bath,” I say.

“I’ll have you know I’ve bathed plenty of babies in my life. I’m 38. Most of my friends are married. And quite a few have kids now.”

“Yeah, I get all that. I just can’t imagine you crouching down in a bathroom with your arms covered in suds shampooing a baby’s head with some lavender-scented shampoo.”

He laughs. “I know. Most people who know me well wouldn’t believe it. But, I’m pretty good with kids as long as they’re somebody else’s kids.”

Charlie's expression shifts, a hint of vulnerability flickering across his face. "Truth is, I'd probably be a horrible parent myself. I'm too self-involved, too much of a workaholic, and honestly, too selfish."

I raise an eyebrow, encouraging him to continue. He sighs, his arms tightening around me as we sway to the music.

"I've built my entire life around my career. All I can think about is coffee. I wake up thinking about work, I go to bed thinking about work. Hell, I even dream about work sometimes."

He pauses, his eyes distant. "I can barely keep a plant alive, let alone a child. Just last week I killed another cactus.”

He glances around the wedding reception, his eyes lingering on the families scattered throughout. "I watch my friends with their kids, and I see the amount of time and energy it takes. The sleepless nights, the constant worry, the endless patience required. I'm not sure I have that in me."

I glance up at him and smile reassuringly. “I think most people feel that way until they have their own kids. Once that happens, something kicks in and you’re able to push through - to do all those things you didn’t think you could.”

He smiles softly at me. “Let’s hope so.”

Just then Jane and Trey pull us off the dance floor to inform us that we all need some tequila, pronto. They drag us over to the bar, the four of us laughing and joking around with each other.

We all down our obligatory shots of tequila and then Jane grabs my hand. “Bathroom break?” It’s a question but I know there is only one answer. She wants an escort and it’s my job as her best friend to go.

We both pee and as we’re washing our hands, Jane glances over at me and whispers, “The two of you aren’t sleeping in the same room tonight, right?”

The thought of that revs up my heart rate instantly. “Oh, God, no. Are you crazy?”

“Listen, girl, I saw that kiss. That wasn’t nothing.”

“We were both half-lit, Jane. Nothing is going to happen between us. I mean, it’s Charlie, your brother, for Christ’s sake. As gorgeous as he is, that’s just crazy talk.”

Jane's expression softens, and she leans against the marble countertop, her eyes meeting mine in the ornate mirror. "Tess, honey, I love you. You're my best friend, and that's exactly why I need to say this." She takes a deep breath, her fingers fidgeting with the delicate chain of her necklace. "Getting involved with Charlie...it's not a good idea."

I feel a knot forming in my stomach, a mix of disappointment and defensiveness rising within me. I manage to say, “Of course, I know that. Totally dumb idea.”

Jane's eyes dart to the bathroom door, ensuring we're still alone. "Look, Charlie is...he's amazing in so many ways. He's smart, successful, funny, and yes, ridiculously handsome. But a good boyfriend, he is not."

“Well it’s a good thing I’m not planning to date him for real then,” I say, putting a new layer of lip gloss on and trying desperately to sound convincing.

“Then, we’re all good,” Jane says, giving me a hug. “Time for another tequila shot?”

We bounce back to the bar, arm in arm.

It’s been such a wonderful day, one of the best I can recall. So why do I have a nagging feeling in my stomach that something is about to go terribly wrong?

Chapter 10

Tess

Hours later, we arrive at the cute little boutique hotel where Charlie had reserved rooms for us. I’m still a bit tipsy from hours of drinking but, surprisingly, I still have my wits about me.

Most of the other guests are staying at the larger hotel down the street but Charlie informed me he prefers the small hotels to the huge cookie-cutter chains.

The lobby is lovely with plenty of comfy light-gray couches and homey touches such as a bookcase with real books you can borrow and greenery adorning the side tables.

Charlie checks us into our two rooms and we grab our small overnight bags.