So far Jake hadn't said a word but his face did all the talking. Usually his mouth was set in a relaxed friendly smile that made others feel at ease, yet right then it was drawn tight and apprehension lurked in his eyes.
“I'll leave right after I say what I came here to tell you, if you want.” Charlie forced her feet to remain still. Fidgeting would only give away how nervous she was, besides only children fidgeted.
Still in shock at having Charlie show up at his office, Jake nodded toward the chairs around the meeting table. “Do you want to sit?”
Sitting was the last thing he wanted. More than anything he wanted to embrace her and then demand that she explain her behavior. But he didn't do either.
“Not now thanks.” Charlie gripped her hands together. “I came to apologize. When I heard you left Virginia and then saw that picture of you with another woman I jumped to conclusions. I shouldn't have done that. I was wrong.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to say yeah you were, but he held the words back. Sarcasm wouldn't accomplish anything. “Sophia, AJ's girlfriend, called just after midnight. AJ had just been rushed to the hospital. I didn't have time to call before I flew out. I assumed you would call here when you couldn't get me so I asked Cindy to explain the situation to you when you did. But that didn't happen.”
“She told me before I came in.”
“When I did call you didn't give me a chance to explain.” Jake raked a hand through his hair as the need to know why she'd doubted him increased. Granted he didn't have the greatest reputation, thanks to the media, but he thought she knew him better than that. Until a few weeks ago he'd thought she trusted and cared for him as much as he did her.
Charlie blinked and looked away. “When I heard you were gone and saw the picture it reminded me of …” Charlie's voice trailed off.
He might not be a psychiatrist but he knew whatever was eating at her ran deep. Without hesitation he took a step closer. With a finger he nudged her face up. The sight of her hazel eyes filled with tears tugged at his heart.
“It reminded me of my father. I was twelve when he just walked out. After I saw the picture I started to think about Blair's baby and it all snowballed.”
He knew her parents were divorced but he didn't know the particulars behind it. Though it stung he could understand how she might relate the two.
“You should have trusted me.” Resentment leaked into his words and he clenched his teeth from saying anything else he might regret.
A single tear rolled down Charlie's face. Jake couldn't stop himself from wiping it away.
“You're right, but I kept telling myself we were a temporary fling. Nothing serious so it didn't matter how things ended.”
Charlie wrapped her arms around herself and Jake suspected there was more to her story.
“My mom was devastated when my dad left. I decided that I never wanted to end up like her. I figured skipping the whole love thing was better. I've always kept relationships strictly fun and unemotional. I figured that was safer.” A nervous laugh escaped her. “Until you.”
In his mind he could imagine what it must have been like for Charlie as a little girl after her father walked out. Anger toward the man he'd never meet welled up inside him.
“I understand if you don't forgive me, but I needed to apologize. I was wrong and I wanted you to know I'm retiring from the Navy. I shredded my re-enlistment documents last night.”
Charlie took a step back as if to leave and Jake realized he'd been silent for too long, wrapped up in his own thoughts. “Don't go. I get why you reacted the way you did and I shouldn't have assumed you'd get the message from Cindy. In the future we need to communicate better.” Even though she didn't answer him, he wrapped both arms around her slim waist and pulled her close to him. He had no intention of letting her walk out of his office.
Charlie's forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Future?”
“I know my reputation sucks and you probably think I've said this to hundreds of women but I love you, Doc.” Once the words were out Jake wondered if perhaps he'd said too much. She'd come by looking for forgiveness not necessarily a declaration of love.
“I love you too.” Charlie smiled and put her arms around his neck. “And I don't care about your reputation as long as you’re mine.”
Jake lowered his head toward hers so he could kiss her. “I'm all yours, Doc.”
Epilogue
A wolf whistle had Charlie turning toward the door.
“You look incredible.” Jake closed the door behind him and walked toward her.
He was dressed in a black tuxedo and she thought the same thing about him. “Thanks. Your sister helped me pick out the gown last month.”