7
Her heart was pounding and not just because Charles was sitting beside her. What was she thinking, letting him come home with her? This was no time to play “meet my parents.” Her father had his hands full keeping things as normal as possible. Unfortunately, that changed from day to day.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Charles said.
“Thinking.” that this is a mistake.
“Worried about your mother?”
“Every moment. You can just drop me off if you don’t want to come inside.”
“It’s not an issue for me. The question is, is it for you?” Charles asked as they turned onto her street.
She wasn’t about to lie to him. “It’s been a long time since I brought someone home with me. It’s possible they get the wrong impression.”
“Just tell them that I care about you and knew this was where you wanted . . . no needed, to be this weekend. Very simple.”
Internally she laughed. Nothing about you is simple. “I wasn’t thinking. No one knows you’re coming. Heck, they don’t know I’m coming. Things can be . . . complicated at night. I’m thinking this was a bad idea.”
“Mornings are better for your mother?” Charles asked.
“Yes. Which would make the visit more enjoyable for you.” Not that it was going to be good either way, but once her mother started to “sundown” things became unpredictable. And it’d be nice if she knew my name too.
“Rosslyn, I meant what I said. I’m okay with whatever you want.”
“Tomorrow morning would be best.”
“Let me book us a hotel room and then we can have dinner. How does that sound?” Charles asked.
It seemed so weird being in her hometown and staying at a hotel. “I know a friend who runs a B&B. She will probably give you a great deal.” Not that you’re worried about money. But I am.
“Sounds good.”
Rosslyn sent a quick text to her friend Brandy. Who would’ve thought she was busy this weekend, but she said she’d squeeze them in. Turning her attention back to Charles, she said, “We’re all set. You’re going to love this place. It’s a huge old Victorian with a wraparound porch.”
“Point the way.”
It wasn’t all that far from where they were. When they pulled up she felt totally relaxed. And as soon as she got out of the car, she knew why. It was quiet. That was something she didn’t have in the city. Letting out a long exhale she said, “This is nice.”
“Being home?” he asked.
“That too. But being here where we can hear ourselves think.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve had a weekend that wasn’t filled with work.”
“If your boss doesn’t give you time off, you need to work for someone else.” She didn’t understand why he had a smirk on his face. She was totally serious. “I’m serious. I hear people complaining all the time about their working conditions, long hours, no breaks and no appreciation. The only thing Max—Mr. Grayson—wants is results. They stay for the money, but there are so many more important things in life than money.”
“You are working for him.”
“I explained why. If it was for me, I wouldn’t be in the city, never mind working for someone like him.”
“And if you had the option, what would you do?” Charles asked.
She chuckled. “I’d strip down and jump in the lake, without a care in the world.” Rosslyn saw his eyes widen and she said, “Not serious. Please, I skinny dipped one time and that was many years ago. There is no way in hell it’s ever happening again.”
Charles laughed. “Not that I wouldn’t mind seeing you take that dip”—he winked—“but I meant if you had the option for another job.”
Rosslyn blushed. “Oh. I thought you were . . . never mind.” Why did she think for a second that he was going to offer her a job just to see her naked? Then again, she didn’t know why she had mentioned it in the first place. Maybe because I hoped you offer to join me. He really was awakening something more . . . playful in her. A side she’d thought was dead. It was nice and refreshing. But it was not the time for that.