Page 10 of Of Course, Cutie
“Then make him see you that way.”
I sighed and headed up the stairs to my room, gently closing the door behind me. “I love you, Mattie.”
“I know. Did you pick your Halloween costume yet?”
Ugh. I’d forgotten about his party. “No. Do you have any ideas for me?”
“Only like a thousand! I’ll bring you something fabulous.”
“Thanks. Have you talked to Jonah since inviting him to the party?”
Matteo groaned. “No! He RSVP’d yes, but then hasn’t said a word to me!”
I sank onto my bed, with Burke’s jacket still tucked under my arm. “Aw, Mattie, I think he’s a little shy. Don’t give up on him.”
“You think? I’m so not shy, so I don’t understand that personality type, and it stresses me out!”
“I know, boo. At least give Jonah a chance to come out of his shell a little on Halloween.”
Matteo sighed. “You’re right. Okay, I have to go. Love you!”
“Love you!” I ended the call and curled up on my bed, pressing Burke’s jacket back against my nose. Shit. I could get drunk off this smell. I was in trouble.
5
Burke
I didn’t open Charlie’s notebook, even though it taunted me on my kitchen counter all weekend. I had a feeling that girl’s mind was full of hidden gems, and I wanted a peek, but I also wanted to keep her trust. So, instead of opening it, I kept myself busy taking care of Tess and making sure she got better.
Tess’s fever went away Saturday evening, and then I was left with a cranky little six-year-old that didn’t want to rest or eat anything I cooked for her. “Daddy, you make disgusting food.” She snapped at me and folded her little arms, sticking her chin out in a pout.
I smiled and kissed her forehead, so grateful that it was cool under my lips. “That’s not very nice, Tess.”
“Well, it’s not very nice when you make me eat crunchy mac and cheese!”
I fought to hold in my laugh. “Hey, it’s not crunchy! I cooked the noodles exactly as long as the package said. I think…”
Tess rolled her eyes at me. “Yeah. Ya think. Did you set a timer?”
“I don’t need a timer, smarty pants.”
“Yes, you do.” Tess glared at me and pushed her bowl away.
I shook my head, unable to keep my laugh in check, and took a bite of the mac and cheese from the pan. Shit. It was crunchy. I glanced over at my daughter, who had both eyebrows raised at me. “Fine. You don’t have to eat it. I think there’s more of the soup Charlie made in the fridge. Do you want that instead?”
“Yes, please. She’s a much better cook than you. You should take cooking lessons from her or something.”
I laughed again as I heated the soup in the microwave. “Did you like Charlie, sweetheart?”
Tess nodded. “She was really nice.”
“Good.” Charlie was sweet, wasn’t she? Sweet and funny and sexy.
Shit. And nineteen.
After Tess finished her soup, I gave her a bath and then read her favorite Sleeping Beauty book three times. When she was finally asleep, I wandered back out to the kitchen. Charlie’s notebook sat on the counter, staring up at me. It was just me and a book full of an intriguing girl’s innermost thoughts.
I let out a deep breath and ran my hands through my beard. Don’t do it. I picked up my phone instead and reread the text messages I’d exchanged with Charlie the night before. I thought I’d scared her off with the hug, but then she texted. Maybe I didn’t scare her. I wanted to talk to her again. I posed Charlie’s notebook with the newspaper and sent her a photo. Proof of life. 10/26