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I chuckle at him and lean forward, picking my clutch bag up off the table and standing.

“Just going to the bathroom,” I tell him when he raises a brow in silent question.

He puts his fork down on the plate, pulling on my hand as I walk by and kissing my knuckles. I shiver at the touch of his lips on me and my mind wanders to where else I’d like those lips to be before he lets go.

I swerve my way through all the tables and chairs and through the back hallway to the restrooms. I do my business and then check myself out in the mirror.

The curls I put in my hair have dropped, leaving me with soft waves. My lipstick has worn off a little so I grab it out of my bag and reapply it, moving closer to the mirror so that I don’t end up drawing all over my face with it.

I spent hours getting ready and it was all worth it. When I do my hair and makeup like this, it makes me feel beautiful, even if I do know that what’s on the inside right now is a complete mess, at least I’m projecting the image of being okay to the outside world.

As I pop my lipstick back in my bag, my fingertips brush my pill bottle. I know I promised Evan that I wouldn’t take anymore but I found myself driving back to Wayward and Joel this afternoon. This time I got two bottles, hiding one under my bed in case something like that ever happens again.

I took two just before I came out and I haven’t felt the need to take anymore until now. My mind tells me no but my fingers are already popping the top off and taking two out.

“No,” I tell myself, putting them back in the bottle and staring at myself in the mirror. I don’t need them right now. I need to get back out to Charlie and let him chase all the thoughts away.

I snap my bag shut and walk out of there as fast as I can with these heels on and head back to the table where Charlie sits.

“You ready to get out of here?” he asks.

“Yeah,” I answer as he stands up and wraps his arm around my waist.

I lean into him all the way to his car and when he opens up my door, I rest my head on his chest, taking a few seconds before I turn around and jump up into the seat.

My hands clutch onto my bag as he drives back to the compound, my head spinning all the way there. Now that I remember that they’re in my bag, I can’t stop thinking about them. The itch to take some is becoming unbearable and I open up my bag discreetly, staring at the bottle the rest of the way to the compound.

“Want to come in for coffee?” I ask when he pulls up to the cottage. He smirks before opening his door and heading around the front of his car, pulling my door open and holding his hand out to me.

He walks me to my door and places his hands on my hips, pulling me closer and resting his forehead against mine.

“I enjoyed tonight.”

“Me too.”

We stay silent, just staring into each other’s eyes, butterflies taking flight in my stomach the longer I stare at him. I never thought we’d be here, not like this. I was sure that I’d always be the bit of ass on the side, the girl who would never be enough.

I’m not enough, I know that, but I’ll damn well try to be, I’ll try as hard as I can.

My eyes close instinctively as he moves closer, his lips pressing against mine on one sweet, gentle kiss and then he pulls away.

“You didn’t answer me.”

“Kitty, both you and I know that if I come inside, it won’t just be for a coffee.”

“It won’t?” I ask innocently.

“No, it won’t.” He shakes his head. “There’s something you should do before we do… that.”

“There is?”

“Yeah, you need to meet my parents.”

My eyes widen at his statement and the breath leaves my lungs in one audible whoosh. The date was a big step, but this, meeting his parents, that’s a huge leap and for a fleeting moment, I wonder whether I’m ready for all of this. I may have dreamed about it for years but now that it’s happening, I’m doubting myself.

“You want me to

meet them? As your…”