Tides and Tidings

Chapter 26

Charlie

T here’s not a chance Blythe actually believed that.

I’m heartbroken. Tonight was my only chance to propose to her. I had a rooftop reservation because it would be romantic under the stars.

“What if this is the universe’s way of making us go out tonight?” Blythe asked.

“This is the universe’s way of telling us we should stay in.” My skin was on fire with anger.

“Stop being so negative. If I’m honest, I’m relieved.”

She was relieved?

“I was thinking…” Blythe paused, her eyes trailing off. “The money we would’ve spent on dinner, we should give it to Dickie.”

I shook my head, “I don’t think he would accept it.”

“We could donate it anonymously. I’m not suggesting we walk up and hand him money.”

I thought about it. It could work. “Let’s do it.”

Blythe stepped forward and looked at me, “I know you were looking forward to your… salad.” She scrunched her nose. “I don’t believe you for a second with that.” She shook her head. “We could have sat home all weekend and I would’ve had the best time. Every day I spend with you, Charlie Hannigan is the best day. You make my life worth living. You’ve picked up my pieces and put me back together. You’ve hung the galaxy for me.”

My heart skipped a beat. Blythe was right, even though she didn’t know about what. Our relationship has been anything but ordinary. Why would a proposal be anything less?

“Do you want to head back to the hotel, change into some comfy clothes, and order room service?”

Blythe shook her head so vigorously that her auburn curls bounced against her smooth complexion. “No way. That was not one of your options. I worked really freakin’ hard on my hair and makeup. We’re going out, Charles .”

I snaked my right arm around her waist while my left reached her chin, lifting it ever so slightly. “Is that so?”

She nodded. “We have a free pass. Why don’t we head back to the hotel, get changed, and we can head out.”

“You’re sure you want to go out?” Now that I was in a foul mood, Blythe’s original idea of ordering room service in white fluffy robes sounded pretty good. I knew that I couldn’t tell her why I was pissed.

Blythe’s face lit up. “We could grab something to eat and then go out.” She shrugged, “We don’t have to be out all night, but maybe we could hit a bar or two.”

I was hesitant. The last time I went out and bar-hopped, I was in my early twenties, got blackout drunk, and didn’t remember how I got home. “I don’t know…”

Blythe rolled her beautiful green eyes, “Can you loosen up?” She shimmied, “Live a little. Pretend you’re not a dad for one night.”

A deep sigh escaped, “Fine. But I want to change into something more comfortable than this suit.”

I hated nothing more than getting dressed up. There was something about a tucked-in shirt that made me feel claustrophobic. Honestly, the whole outfit made me want to crawl out of my skin.

Blythe’s face lit up, “Wait, really?”

I nodded, “Why the hell not? You were right; we have a night all to ourselves and can do what our friends do week in and week out.”

Blythe wrapped her arms around my neck and placed a kiss on my lips, “Oh, this is going to be so fun! I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drunk in public before.”

I wracked my brain.

“It’s been a while.” Becoming a dad turned me into a completely different person. Wren came along, and I morphed into Mr. Super Serious.

“Well, I look forward to it.” There was a slight twinkle in Blythe’s eye. “Should we grab something to eat first?”

My stomach started grumbling a while ago. “Maybe something quick? It’s already after seven-thirty.”

“Are you on a time crunch?” Blythe bit back a smile.

I shook my head.

“Good. Let’s head back and get changed and then we can decide on dinner.” She looked up at the closed restaurant in front of us and sighed. “I’m sorry this didn’t go according to plan, but I have a feeling we’ll have an even better time.”

“It’s okay.”

There was something about her words that made me feel better. She had no idea what I had planned, but as long as I was with her, I didn’t care what we did. I’ll find another day to pop the question. A time when she least expects it. A time when it feels right.