Sexy Stranger(20)

I was fucked with a capital F.





Chapter Eight


Charlotte

"Mornin', this is Maggie. Can I help you?" the voice drawled through the phone.

"Hi, this is Charlotte Freemont. I'm calling about-"

"The Audi. Yup. Let me put Wayne on."

Sitting down on the bed, I plucked a piece of lint off the fluffy down comforter while I waited.

"This is Wayne." His normally gruff voice came out sounding apologetic. "Listen, sweetheart, I hate to tell you this, but I ran your car's diagnostics through the computer, and you've got a bigger problem than I first thought."

I listened as he explained that some converter switch was malfunctioning, and that it was going to add an extra day or two and some money to the repair work.

"Okay, got it."

"That's . . . that's it?" he asked.

"Yeah. Just let me know when you're through. I appreciate this, Wayne."

"Of course, sweetheart. I'll be in touch."

I should have been annoyed, should have felt trapped and isolated, but I felt anything but. It was crazy, but part of me was excited at the idea of spending a few more days here.

I dialed Valentina next, who answered without even a hello.

"Charlotte, tell me you're on your way. I'm freaking out."



       
         
       
        

"Hello to you too." I chuckled.

"Ugh, what's happening? You're not still stranded, are you?"

"I'm still here, yeah."

"Whose ass do I need to kick? I'll call the mechanic myself. Just tell me where you are."

"No, it's fine, Val." It was weird, but the desire to keep this place a secret flared inside me. It was like if I could shield it from the outside world, I could stay here in peace for a few more days.

She let out a huff of frustration and cursed in Spanish.

We spent the next few minutes catching up on everything going on back home, in the real world, and it was weird. Normally, I'd eat up this kind of conversation. Gossiping with Valentina was practically an Olympic sport, one I excelled at, but today I was only half listening.

"Just a couple more days. I'll see you soon," I said, finally ending the call.

As soon as we hung up, my phone rang again. It was Molly.

"Hi, Charlotte. I was wondering if you'd want to have lunch with me today?"

My gaze drifted to the clock beside my bed. I had all day to kill. "Sure. What time?"

"I'll meet you at the Garden of Eatin' in thirty minutes."

I picked up my purse and slipped into my nude Tori Butch flats before heading downstairs to ask Opal how to get to the restaurant. It turned out it was only three blocks away, so I'd get in a little midday sunshine and a brief walk. My time here was starting to feel more like a vacation than a death sentence.

The café was cozy chic with rustic little white-painted tables and mismatched chairs. It had character, and the menu was just as eclectic. Everything from chicken and waffles to grits (whatever those were) to spinach salad with fresh goat cheese. Maggie and I were soon seated at a table in front of the big front windows, each having found something on the menu to our liking.

"Thanks for meeting me." Molly tasted her iced tea, then tore open a packet of sweetener and dumped it in.

"Of course. Not like I had anything better to do. Wayne thinks it'll be another couple of days." When her mouth puckered at that, I shook my head. "I'm sorry, that came out wrong. Everyone's been so welcoming since I've been here."

"Luke has been more 'welcoming' than I've seen him with a newcomer in a long time."

I thought Molly might give me a saucy wink or a smile with that comment, but her expression remained serious. She tasted her iced tea again and found it more to her liking before she continued.

"Listen, I think it's great you're interested in my brother, but I think there are a few things you should know." 

Ah. The real reason she asked me to lunch. "Okay."

"Luke acts tough, and he is, but he's been hurt before. He's been through a lot; we all have. I just don't want to see him get left behind again."

I got the sense that she wasn't talking about their mother's leaving town. My mind churned with possibilities, and my curiosity was too strong to try to be polite.

Screw that. If anyone would know, Molly would, so if I had to pump her for information, I would.

"Has he been in a serious relationship before?" I asked point-blank.

Molly focused on her salad like it was the most interesting thing she'd seen all day. "He has. But that's not my place to tell." She then looked up and smiled at me as she turned the conversation to safer ground.