Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 117574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
“You won’t need to, and neither will I. We’ll do the stuff we talked about and crowdsource ideas, too. Do your superfans want to see you mowing the lawn, naked? Do they want to see you hanging from that chandelier in Ryan and Tessa’s dining room, naked, while I eat you out from below? The possibilities are endless, really. The weirder we get, the less they’ll expect either of us to actually come. It’ll be about the journey, not the destination—putting you into weirder and weirder naked scenarios.”
She giggles. “That’s actually a great idea.”
“You’re surprised by that?” I snicker. “Even a broken clock is right twice a day, baby.”
Charlotte laughs and nuzzles her nose into mine. “This week is gonna be so much fun. I’m so glad you’re here with me.”
“Me, too.” It’s the understatement of the century. I’m elated. Counting my lucky stars. Feeling like I’ve won the lottery. True, this woman unintentionally slapped a target on my back with a hitman. Not ideal. But at this point, regardless of that one, pesky little thing, I feel like Charlotte is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. My lucky charm. If only she’d feel the same way about me, my entire future would be set.
Charlotte pecks my lips. “I’d better shower and get some sleep. Tessa’s flight is butt-crack early tomorrow.”
“I’ll come with you to the airport, if you want.”
“Nah, get some sleep. I don’t think there’s enough room in the car for another adult, anyway, because of all the luggage they’re bringing. I’ll pick up coffee and breakfast on my way back to repay you for all the times you’ve done that for me.”
“I do that because I’m already getting it for myself and you’re watching Lucky for me, remember? There’s nothing to repay. But thank you.”
She drags her teeth across her lower lip. “Wanna come shower with me?”
“More than I want to breathe.”
Charlotte slides off me and we head to the attached bathroom together, where we make out and explore each other’s slick, wet bodies. When that bit of fun is over, we slide into bed, facing each other, and smile like goofs at each other.
“Goodnight, Charlotte,” I whisper.
She pulls a playful face. “I’m scared I’m gonna have a nightmare, Uncle Auggie. Will you sing me a silly song?” She pokes my abs underneath the covers. “Pretty please with sugar on top?”
I chuckle. “What do you want me to sing about?”
“Anything. Just like you told Zacky, let your mind wander and the words tumble out.”
It’s a dangerous game for me to play—a huge risk to take—considering the fact that the only word coming to mind, as I lie here, naked, with Charlotte in the moonlight is the word love. Love, love, love. I love you, Charlotte McDougal.
I smile. “Sorry, I think I’m done singing silly songs for the night. My mind is drawing a blank. Why don’t you give it a try?”
Charlotte makes a funny, pouty face, but ultimately, she huffs out, “Fine.” After giving it a moment of thought, she says, “This is a lot tougher than I thought.”
“It can be anything. Let your mind wander.”
“You’ve got a real talent.”
“Nah. Anyone can do it. Relax your mind.”
Charlotte closes her eyes and remains still for a long moment. When she opens them, she smiles and sings, “Hello there, Auggie Vaughn. Let’s have a talkie, son. You’re a stone-cold hottie. With a three-legged doggie. Thanks for letting me join you for Lucky’s walkies and for getting off my rockies. I’m having so much fun with you, Auggie Vaughn. Can’t wait for the rest of this week together, and beyond.”
And beyond?
Wait, what?
Did Charlotte sing that heart-stopping part, simply because it rhymed, or was she telling me she’s thinking about exploring this relationship after our mutual emergency is resolved?
“That was f-fantastic,” I choke out.
Charlotte looks anxious. Does she realize what she just said? Does she want to take it back? “I’ve got another one,” she says quickly. She sings, “My life is in flux right now, Auggie dear. I’m pretty fucked right now, as you know, don’t know what my future holds. But no matter what happens next, Auggie dear, I promise you this . . . I won’t wind up in Milwaukee, dear. Cuz in a cit-y like that, this LA girl would freeze her titties off and turn into a polar bear.” Charlotte giggles, so I join her in laughing, even though the lyrics felt like a bit of a gut punch. Okay, message received, Charlotte. The word “beyond” in your first song meant nothing.
I’m tempted to roll over onto my other side, so I don’t have to fake a smile. But the allure of Charlotte’s smiling face is too great. I pull her to me and hold her close and tell myself to savor the here and now and not let my stupid brain think about the future or anything else.