Page 41 of Of Course, Cutie
Charlie drummed her fingers against the bar and let her eyes flick up and down my body. “Good, Burke. I got my schedule finalized for Spring Semester.”
“Oh yeah? What classes will you be skipping this semester?”
Charlie laughed. “English, Intro to Psychology, and Financial Literacy. I will go to the bullshit fitness class I had to sign up for because I know someone that might enjoy the way my butt looks when I start working out.” She plucked a straw from the holder and slid it in and out of her mouth while locking eyes with me.
“Stop it.” I grinned as I watched her pretty mouth.
“Oh!” She reached out and rested her hand on my arm. “I have an Anatomy class, too. And it’s so weird! It’s at your apartment on Wednesday mornings! I will never skip that one.”
I laughed and shook my head. “You better not. And stop flirting in front of your brother unless you plan on telling him about us.”
Charlie glanced over her shoulder at Evan and Sienna. They were deep in conversation, and they both wore frowns. Shit. Had they already seen us flirting? Was I about to get fired?
Then Evan glanced over. “Charlie, help us out here.”
“What’s up?” Charlie swiveled around in her stool, and I went back to my prep work.
Evan and Sienna walked over and leaned against the bar. “Sienna saw Ava this weekend.”
“No shit?” Charlie laughed. “I bet that was awkward. Is she still rich and whiny and awful?”
Sienna rolled her eyes. “I don’t know. She seems different. She um, she wants to come to the wedding.”
“So you’re going to have your ex-girlfriend and ex-best friend at your wedding?” Charlie looked back and forth between Evan and Sienna. “That’s either psychotic or cool and mature. I can’t decide which.”
Evan covered his face with both hands. “Neither can we.”
Charlie shrugged. “That’s a tough call. I mean, I guess if she wants to come, that’s showing a little personal growth. Maybe Sienna should hang with her a couple more times before really deciding.”
Sienna smiled and slid her arm around Charlie. “Smart freaking woman!”
It didn’t escape my notice that Sienna called her a woman. Everyone in Charlie’s family always called her kid or girl, except for Sienna. It was like Charlie’s family didn’t want her to grow up. There was no way they’d take the news of us being together well.
Sienna and Evan excused themselves to go through inventory in the backroom. After they left, Charlie leaned forward to steal a quick kiss. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to come into the bar anymore, Burke. I won’t be able to keep my hands off you after what you did to me last night.” She smiled and bit her bottom lip. “I have to ask, are you going to be a strict Anatomy teacher on Wednesday mornings?”
“Damn, Charlie.” I rubbed my beard and stared at my cutie with desire rolling through my veins. She was getting good at the dirty talk. Then I glanced over my shoulder. “You don’t think we should tell them yet?”
Charlie laughed. “Burke, it’s been a week! Again, if I’d been seeing anyone for only a week, I wouldn’t be spilling all the details to my family. We deserve a chance to decide what this is for ourselves before everyone else starts to tell us what it is.” She pulled her hair back, revealing her gorgeous, delicate neck. “And besides that, Evan has no room to get in my face about keeping secrets. That person they’re talking about? Ava? She was Sienna’s best friend, and he dated her for two years while he secretly loved Sienna. So seriously, if he gives me shit, I’ll give it right back.”
“I have no doubt in my mind that you’ll give your brother plenty of shit.” I grinned at Charlie.
She leaned forward and kissed me again. “All right, I’m going to have lunch with my friend and his almost-boyfriend. Also, I need to actually attend my first week or two of classes so that the professors think I care.”
“You gonna come over for a 2 am booty call then?”
Charlie laughed out loud. “Don’t ever say that to me again. Just because you said that I’m not coming over tonight.”
“Okay, I’ll see you tonight, cutie.” I smirked at her and leaned on the bar. “You better finish your homework on time, or I’ll have to spank that ass.”
Charlie’s mouth dropped open. “Oh fuck. I think I might be into that. Exactly what time do you get home tonight?”
“12:30.”
The backroom door swung open, and Sienna walked out, smoothing her t-shirt. For a split second, I worried that she’d heard us, but one look at her face told me she was far more worried that we’d heard them. She cleared her throat. “Hey, guys! You heading out, Charlie?”
Charlie smirked at Sienna. “Yup. How’s the cock?”
“What?” Sienna gaped at her.