Page 19 of Lady Luck’s Kiss
CHARLIE
Charlie discovered that, every night, Jack found some reason or another to meet up with her.
They’d been to dinner, a movie, shopping and played mini-golf.
It was one thing or another, but they were together.
She really enjoyed his company and caught him a few times leaning towards her to kiss her but then yanking his head back at the last moment.
He was trying so hard to keep things slow between them.
Tonight would be no different. They were supposed to meet up at about seven.
She’d invited Jack over to watch tv and hang out.
He suggested going out instead and when she’d asked him where he wanted to go, that is when she realized that he was afraid to be alone with her.
The man was scared he’d ruin things with her again.
“Charlie?”
She jerked up, slamming her head into the low hood on her Camaro at the sudden voice nearby. Buddy had pulled up and she’d never even heard the truck outside.
“Owwww!” she grimaced, rubbing the crown of her head. “Hey, Buddy, how are you doing?”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m pretty hard headed. I’ll be fine,” she said with a smile. “What brings you by?”
“I wanted to apologize.”
“Stop. There’s nothing to apologize for.”
“I felt like I pushed you and made an pest out of myself. If you’ve got a guy and you are happy, well, I hope he makes you happy.
And if you don’t, then I’d like to try to be that guy for you.
” He stood there holding his baseball cap in his hands, curling the bill nervously.
She’d known him for years and he really was a nice guy. But he did nothing for her.
“I’m glad you came by,” she started softly, seeing his face light up.
She hated to dash his hopes, but it wasn’t fair to lead him on.
She should have told him long ago that she wasn’t interested in him like that.
“We’ve known each other for a long time and been friends forever.
I would hate to lose that friendship, but that is what it is for me. I’m sorry, Buddy.”
“I kinda always knew but had to tell you how I felt.”
“I understand completely.”
“Still friends?”
“Always,” she said firmly with a wide smile. “Now, what brings you by? I don’t see a ‘victim’ on the hook of your truck,” she teased.
“Nawww,” he drawled with a smile. “No ‘victim’ today but I do have something for you.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I picked up a side hobby and deliver boxes for a wheel shop up the road. You know Jimmy’s?”
“Yes.”
“Well if he’s got stuff in town, then I run it up the road. Nice gig, he pays pretty good and covers my fuel. If I get a call or see a car, I can tow them, too.”
“What are you delivering? I don’t understand.” Jimmy’s was a fancy shop up the street that she’d avoided like the plague. It was high line expensive car parts that were completely out of her budget.
“Nope, gotta sign the invoice first. I’ll get the boxes.” It was unusual for Buddy to be grinning like a crazy man, but there it was. And the grin was complete with bits of chewing tobacco in his teeth again. Charlie sighed and accepted the clipboard.
Glancing down, she saw it was a faded invoice and Jimmy’s printer was in obvious need of toner. She could barely make out what it said. Holding it up to the light, she saw parts numbers and that the balance due was zero.
Shrugging, she scribbled her name at the bottom with a flourish. This would probably be the only time she ever signed for anything from him.
Buddy walked in with a large box hanging from each hand. She stared wide eyed at him as he set them down and returned quickly with two more large boxes. She recognized the shape of the boxes.
“No way,” she breathed aloud and then began to screech excitedly.
“No WAY! NO WAY! NO WAAAAAY!” Charlie raced over and flung herself at one of the boxes, yanking desperately at the top that was held firmly shut with massive staples.
“Is this what I think it is? Buddy, you shouldn’t have! Tell me you didn’t do this!”
“I didn’t, Charlie.”
“Then who did? Gimme that crowbar please,” she said absently, trying to wedge a screwdriver under the staple to free the lid of the box. “Is this what I think it is?”
“They sure are, sweetheart.”
Charlie glanced up at Jack’s voice. She saw him leaning against the cinderblock wall that separated the two garage doors of her shop. Her heart exploded with affection at the lazy smile and soft possessive look he gave her.
“Jack? This is Buddy. Buddy, meet my boyfriend - Jack Seguin.”
“We met over at Jimmy’s,” he admitted. “Buddy was there waiting for his next delivery. We got to talking about you and said he wanted to be there to see your face when you opened the boxes. Do you need some help?”
“Yes! Please!” she cried out, trying to peer in the hole that served as the handle. “Did you get me rims for Martha Stewart?”
“Would you be disappointed if I said no?”
“Very much so.”
“And if I said yes?” he asked with a wide smile, winking at Buddy who stood nearby laughing at her dancing around the boxes excitedly. He slid the crowbar up under the edge of the box to pop the reinforced lid open.
“I’d be thrilled,” she said happily, clapping her hands together as she knelt again once the staples popped free of the thick cardboard.
“And what if they were some sleek and sexy custom rims for your car? Would you be happy?” Jack leaned down and whispered in her ear, for her alone. She stopped and stood up, looking him directly in the face.
“Custom?”
“Custom, sweetheart.” He smiled and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear tenderly. “No one else will have shoes like your Martha Stewart. My pretty girl will always get the very best… for her car.”
“I’d be more than thrilled.”
“I’m glad. Now open your presents.”
Charlie opened the lid of the box and groaned as the rim was wrapped in Styrofoam and bound with packing tape.
Reaching in, she pulled the rim free and began to peel back the foam padding that protected it.
As she did, it revealed a wicked black pattern with chrome valve stems. This must have cost him a fortune!
She’d priced out rims before and that was why she’d opted for the steelies, due to price.
“This is too much,” she breathed and very nearly dropped the rim in shock.
“Buddy?” She heard Jack call out to the other man in a friendly tone, his eyes locked with Charlie’s. “You’ve known her longer than I have. Do you think she likes them?”
“I think you know the answer to that one. Enjoy your car, Charlie. I’ll see you later.” Laughing, Buddy shook his head and left the building. Alone now, she set the rim on the box carefully.
“They are too much. You have to take them back.”
“Do you like them?”
“I’d be stupid not to!”
“Then that is all that matters,” he said with finality and carefully popped open another box to reveal another black wheel.
“That isn’t all that matters. They are too expensive.”
“Would you agree that we have a strange relationship?”
“I don’t know if I’d call it strange,” she said, trying to keep the insult out of her voice. “But it certainly is different.”
“We’ve ignored the rules, made our own way and I’m quite happy about it. Are you?”
“Yes. But what does that have to do with the rims?”
“Well, if we were any other couple and the guy admitted that he loved the girl, what happens?” Charlie swallowed hard at his question and the tender look on his face.
“You don’t have to answer, but we both know what happens. When a man loves a woman, he tends to show it by showing her how special she is to him. Sometimes, it’s a promise ring or an engagement ring. We are different, and I wanted to show you how special you are to me.”
“You didn’t have to buy me rims for my car.”
“No, but you are truly special to me and I can’t help but love you. Please don’t be scared of that,” he said quickly, his smile falling.
“I’m not. Well, a little bit. But I am getting used to the idea of us being together.”
“Thank goodness,” he breathed, smiling again at her. “You like them?”
“I love them.”
“And I lov-” Jack stopped and ran his fingers through his hair. “This is really hard sometimes, but I’m trying to take it slow. I swear it.”
“I know you are, simply for my sake. Say it, Jack,” she breathed tenderly and walked up to where he was standing. Her hand cupped his face and she marveled at the way he swallowed nervously, his eyes tortured with want. “Say it if you feel it - no games. Tell me you love me.”
“Charlotte English, I love you more than you’ll ever know,” he whispered, looking at her intently. “You make me nervous, scared, excited and happy all at once.”
“I think, perhaps, you’d better kiss me, cowboy.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive, because once we are done kissing, I’m putting these bad boys on my car and we are going for a heckuva ride tonight.”