Tides and Tidings

Chapter 38

Blythe

“T hree.” I moved my hand from the lamp post and was scooped up. I relaxed into his arms. “What are you doing?”

“We’re a team, right?” His face was close to mine, and his eyes bore into my soul.

I nodded.

“Then we win together.” He looked down at my feet. “I was also not about to have you walk barefoot.”

“That’s very gentlemanly of you.” I rested my head on his shoulder, hiding a small yawn. It was almost one-thirty in the morning, and my mind was still alive while I was exhausted.

“Don’t tell me you’re tired already,” Charlie muttered, carrying me the two blocks back to our hotel.

“Already?” I looked at him, “Are you kidding? If we were home, we would be asleep on the couch.”

“ You would be asleep on the couch.” He corrected.

“I—well,” I didn’t have a rebuttal for that. I have always been able to fall asleep quickly—no matter where I am. I’m a goner within ten minutes if I have my cozy purple blanket.

“See! You’re not denying it.”

Charlie stopped at the hotel entrance, under the awning, and gently placed me down. This was the first time my eyeballs had to adjust to bright lights again, and my retinas felt like they were being seared like tuna steaks.

His eyelids were heavy and his southern drawl was thicker. “I think you’ve got it from here.”

“What do I owe you for the ride?” I flirted as we strode into the building hand-in-hand. For being as late as it was, a surprising number of people were out and about in the lobby.

“No charge for you, ma’am,” he flirted back.

“Do you accept tips then?”

A grin spread across his face, “Do you?”

Oh, so that’s how we were going to play. My brain didn’t even go down the sexual route. I thought we were just having a cute conversation.

Game on .

I nonchalantly let go of his hand and walked ahead towards the elevator.

“I prefer the whole thing,” I called over my shoulder.

I heard his footsteps shuffle behind me. Charlie’s hands gripped my waist and pulled me flush against him. His touch electrified every nerve ending in my body. “Is that so?”

There was that second wind I needed.

“Mhm.” I barely squeaked out.

Charlie lowered his lips to my ear. “Good to know.”

His voice was low and gravelly because he sang along to one or two songs tonight. He would never admit it, but I have video proof.

The elevator doors opened, and the older couple from earlier standing in front of us once again.

Charlie loosened his grip on my hips.

“The restaurant was closed. Wasn’t it?” the older gentleman asked.

I nodded slowly. They stepped out of the elevator.

“If you want my opinion, kids.” The woman grabbed my hand. “You look like you had a better time than you would have at that stuffy restaurant.”

I looked up at Charlie, and his expression finally relaxed. His jaw wasn’t tense, and his smile was so wide that his eyes were creasing.

He shrugged sloppily, “I think we did.”

I made eye contact with the woman, “You’re right.”

“Y’all are so cute.” She nudged her husband, “Remember when we were their age?”

He nodded, “Your boobs were a lot higher.”

She gasped, “Albert! You’re going to scar the children.”

Charlie and I broke out in a fit of laughter. He draped his arm loosely over my shoulders and his head hung low. His dark hair fell over his face as water droplets dripped on the floor.

At that moment, I became painfully aware of how wet my clothes were and how badly I wanted them off my body.

“I was simply stating an observation, Eden.” He slapped her butt.

This man sure was hot for his wife.

“We’ll let y’all go. Have a good night,” Eden winked at us. “I’m not tryin’ to be creepy, but can I have one of your phones to take a picture of you two right now? When you’re old like us, you’ll want pictures of nights like tonight to look back on.”

I handed over my phone as Eden put her glasses on.

“This won’t be the highest quality picture.” She admitted. “Let me know when you’re ready.”

“Ready.”

I glanced at Charlie and couldn’t help but admire his transformation. When I met him, he would barely speak to anyone and lived in a constant state of anxiety. The guy was the walking definition of morose. Now, he’s standing in front of me, a changed man.

“What are you lookin’ at?” his voice was low on my ear.

“You.” My eyes met his. The way he looked at me always made me feel like the only woman in the world—a stark contrast from previous relationships.

My last boyfriend told me he loved me, all while rekindling a relationship with his ex and fucking her at work. Whether it was in a relationship, at work, or even to my mom’s boyfriends as they came and went, I was always second fiddle. I had become accustomed to people finding better options, leaving me high and dry.

Charlie has been the exception to the rule. He always puts Wren and I before himself. He cooks breakfast in the morning because he knows I have low blood sugar. He makes sure to tell me how beautiful I look—even on days when we’re just hanging out at home and I’m in a ratty old T-shirt and my hair is in the messiest of buns on the top of my head. He makes me feel special…seen…loved. All things I had never felt before I moved to Wippowa.

A sleepy smile spread across his face, “You’re the best. You know that?”

My cheeks went warm as a blush crept up.

Eden cleared her throat, “Here’s your phone, kiddo.”

The trance I was in was broken, and I remembered two other people standing there, staring at us. She outstretched my phone, and I grabbed it.

“Do you want to check it before we head out?”

I shook my head, “I’m sure whatever picture you took was perfect.”

“I took a bunch. You should have some good options.”

“Thank you so much. Y’all have a good night.” Charlie piped up.

Eden and Albert made their way toward the exit as we entered the elevator.

“Where do you think they’re going this late?” The nosiness getting the better of me.

“Who knows? They’re just livin’ their best life.” He paused and leaned back against the wall of the elevator. “I do know that I can’t wait to get to our room.”