Page 18

Charley blinked open her eyes. Barely. Her eyelids were heavy.

In fact, every inch of her body felt weighted down.

She lifted her head, pressing her hands against the soft cushion and pushed up, taking her time.

Charley’s head was pounding incessantly.

She wasn’t even sure she was in an upright position.

Why is the room spinning? She openly moaned, taking short, even breaths.

She didn’t have the energy for anything more.

She dropped her feet to the floor, digging her toes into the lush pink carpet. Where the hell am I? She grasped the edge of the couch and slowly lifted her head. She tried to ignore the throbbing pulsing in her brain, but it was impossible.

Everything ached, and she rolled her shoulders.

I feel like death. Never in her life had she felt this way.

It was a reminder of why she’d steered clear of alcohol.

She sucked in a breath, and her stomach gurgled.

Oh God! A wave of heat raced through her body, and her mouth watered.

This is not good. She cupped her mouth and clamped her lips.

“Charley.”

She searched the room for the owner of the voice. Penny was on a chair in the corner of the room holding a mug, narrowing her gaze.

“This friendship can go one of two ways. It can continue to blossom, or end in five seconds depending on whether you make it to the bathroom or not. That is a brand-new couch.”

Oh shit!

Charley bent forward, grasped her hand tightly over her mouth, and mumbled, “Where’s the bathroom?”

Penny pointed to the door off the living room. “First door on your right.”

Charley had no idea where she found the strength to push up from the couch and sprint to the bathroom.

Sprint may have been a stretch. It was probably more of a stumble.

She felt like a pinball, slamming into all the hard surfaces before reaching her final destination.

Thankfully, in the nick of time. She dropped to her knees in front of the toilet, ignoring the pain shooting up her leg, and heaved over.

Her arms circled the basin like a long lost relative.

It was no one’s favorite pastime, but vomiting was especially hard on Charley.

She couldn’t remember the last time it had happened.

She was making up for lost time. Her eyes welled, and her entire body thrust forward, emptying all the contents from her stomach.

It couldn’t get any worse. But it did. After a small reprieve, the dry heaves started. She wasn’t sure what was worse.

Sweat beaded her forehead and neck, and she continued to lunge forward. Oh, take me now. I’m ready to meet my Maker. She felt a soft touch on her back and a cool hand slide up the back of her neck. Oh, that’s nice. Her hair was swept away. She swallowed the knot in her throat and clamped her lips.

“Stop fighting it. Better to get it all out.” Penny’s tone was soothing.

Charley couldn’t even open her eyes, and she blindly wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. “I don’t have anything left.”

Charley’s stomach disagreed. She heaved forward and unleashed once again.

She wasn’t sure how long she clung to the toilet. Minutes, hours, hell, has it been a day? It felt like forever. Her cheek rested against the seat. Once she was clear headed, she’d be thoroughly disgusted, but for now, Charley didn’t care.

“C’mon.” Penny grasped her waist and guided her to a standing position. Charley wasn’t sure how she’d managed to walk her to the couch again, but she felt the cushion under her butt. Penny opened her palm, placing two aspirin on one and a water bottle in the other.

“I don’t know if I can swallow them.” Her throat was so froggy, Charley could barely make out her own words.

“If you could eat flowers last night, you can take two small capsules now.”

I ate flowers last night? Charley barely had any recollection of the night before.

She lifted her hand, swallowed the pills, and chased them with a huge gulp of water.

Then another and another. Before she knew it, she’d finished one bottle, and Penny was handing her another.

She didn’t feel anything close to good, but at least the spinning and vomiting subsided.

She was finally able to think clearly. Kind of.

“Where’s Keely?”

“Dropped her off at Dahlia’s. Figured it was only fair she’d be on alcohol poisoning duty too. She offered to take you, but I figured I’d spare you the lecture Keely is definitely getting right now.”

“I’ve never drank like that before.”

Penny laughed, sipping her coffee cross-legged on the chair across from her. “And it shows.”

This was mortifying, irresponsible, and reckless. What had she been thinking? Nothing, you weren’t thinking, moron.

Charley dropped her face in the palm of her hand. “I’m sorry you had to take care of me.”

“Hey, look at me.”

Charley glanced up to find Penny smiling. “As drunk people go, you were funny, sweet, thanked me for anything and everything I did, then you passed out and made it to the toilet to throw up. Trust me, you rank high as drunks I’d willingly take home.”

Oh, great. I’ll add that to my resume tomorrow.

“I don’t really remember much.”

Penny’s lips twitched, and her eyes sparkled with a teasing glint. “Want a recap?”

From the eagerness in Penny’s tone, she wasn’t sure she even wanted to know. Unfortunately, Penny took that decision out of her hands.

“You remember going to the X-Lounge, getting into the exclusive VIP?”

Charley nodded. “Nash brought me in.”

Penny snickered. “A decision I’m sure he’s regretting.”

“What do you mean?” She widened her eyes and panic set in.

“Tell me the last thing you remember,” Penny said.

“Keely ordered us those purple drinks.” Her memory was hazy, but something clicked. “They had those edible flowers, right?”

Penny nodded.

“Then um, some guy sat next to me and started talking, but, uhhh…”

The details were semi-fuzzy.

“Security stepped up, and he left. We bullshitted for a little bit, then Keely went to dance. And” —Penny paused, eyeing her suspiciously— “You and I got to know each other a little better. Do you remember that?”

This was awful. Here was a woman who helped her out, took care of her, and Charley couldn’t remember a conversation.

“I’m sorry, I don’t.”

Penny waved her hand, “No worries. But I’m guessing you also don’t remember Keely encouraging you to kiss Nash, and on our way out, you did.”

Charley stilled, her hands uncontrollably tightening over the plastic water bottle. What did she just say? Penny grinned and slowly nodded.

No.

Charley gasped and shook her head, in complete denial. Surely, Penny was joking.

“Oh yeah, you did. Well” —Penny chuckled— “You tried. And right after, you told him you had a dream about him.”

I tried to kiss Nash? And I told him about my dream? She closed her eyes and dragged her hand down her face. This was beyond humiliating and so out of character. What was she thinking? I wasn’t thinking.

She groaned, on the verge of tears. Her stomach painfully twisted, and she wrapped her arms around her belly, rocking on the couch.

“It’s probably better you don’t remember.

The details would play over and over in your head, and you’d be mortified, spending the next few days dwelling on it.

This is actually a good thing.” Penny pushed up from her chair.

“Okay so, I’ll order some breakfast. Don’t worry, just toast for you.

Keep drinking that water, because we got a lot happening today.

After we eat, we’ll head to your place to pack up your shit.

I got a guy who owes me a favor, so he’s gonna move all the heavy stuff and bring boxes. ”

What is happening? She had no clue what Penny was talking about.

Charley blinked. “Move?”

“Yeah, you told me about getting evicted.”

I did? Charley had no recollection of any of it. What else had she shared with Penny? She’d have to worry about that at a later time. For now, she needed to focus on the present subject. My eviction.

“But I haven’t found a new place yet.” Charley had searched and scoured the market, but everything was so expensive. Those in her price range were rented before she even got a chance to look at them.

Penny waved her hand and stood. “I found you a place.”

Jesus! How long was I sleeping?

“Wait, Penny, I can’t just…” What is happening?

Penny marched forward and bent down to her eye level.

“I used my connections and got you an apartment downtown. It’s not exactly the Ritz, but it’s dirt cheap, extremely safe, and they have vacancies.

Well, one vacancy. For you. Now get your ass up.

This is my only weekend I can help you ’cause I’m going to see my man. ”

Charley bit her bottom lip. While she appreciated Penny’s help, this was all happening so fast, she had no time to process anything. Yes, she only had a few days before her eviction, so this seemed like her Hail Mary. Too good to be true. Is it?

“Look, take what I’m offering. From what you told me last night, you don’t have anybody else.”

“I told you that?” Charley’s voice was barely a whisper.

“Yeah,” Penny muttered. “You told me a lot of things. All of which are between you and me. You didn’t call them secrets, but I’m pretty sure you haven’t shared them with many people. And I won’t either, okay? All your secrets are safe.”

Charley had met Penny less than twelve hours ago, but there was something honest and genuine about what she’d said.

Penny glanced down at Charley’s phone when it beeped. “Looks like Keely’s up. Make it quick, then we’ll eat and head to your place.” Penny started to the kitchen, and Charley straightened her back.

“Why are you helping me?”

Penny glanced over her shoulder, smiling. “I like a charity project every once in a while. You’re gonna fill my quota this year. You’re welcome.”

“Wait, Penny…”

Penny stopped in the doorway, turned, and rested her shoulder on the frame. “Most people would just thank me.”