Free Saving Charlie (Stories of Serendipity Book 9) by Anne Conley Page B

anymore. Goodbye.” She pushed the button to end the call, and then turned her phone off to keep him from calling back. Tossing it onto the bed, she looked at Les, who had a suddenly hopeful look on his face.
    “Don’t you start, too.” He shuttered his eyes, but a satisfied smirk remained on his mouth. Her eyes were glued to the feature as she continued. “I’m going shopping. I need something new, and I’m buying it myself. I’ll be back in a little while.” Grabbing her purse, she was out the door.
    Thrift stores in Santa Barbara weren’t anything like thrift stores in Serendipity. Where Serendipity had tons of t-shirts, sweatpants, old bridesmaids’ dresses and flip flops that had been donated, Charlie actually found a cute little black dress with the tags still on it and a pair of strappy stilettos. For a steal. She stopped at the corner drugstore and bought Maybelline for her face and walked back to the hotel with her purchases.
    When she got back to the room, Les was pacing and she had to contain her shock.
    “Holy shit, you clean up well.” She managed, barely stopping herself from jumping him. He was dressed in black slacks that draped from his slim hips and a black dress shirt that made his shoulders look even wider than before. His hair was wet, or gelled, and the curls were contained, barely. One wayward curl escaped over his forehead, and she longed to twirl it in her fingers, to see if it was as silky as it looked.
    “Thanks. I’m glad you’re back. Did you get everything you needed?” His eyes held tension in the wrinkles around the edges and his mouth was a stern line across his face.
    Charlie held up her bags. “Yeah, I got some great stuff at the thrift shop down the street. Are you okay?”
    “Yeah, just a little case of nerves. This isn’t the Gin here.”
    Unable to stop herself, Charlie stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around Les. “You’ll do great.” She squeezed and was rewarded by the feel of his long steely arms wrapping around her.
    His head rested on her shoulder, fitting her perfectly. Charlie had never known this sensation before, the feeling of fitting with someone. Together, they were one unit. His solid torso pressed against hers and she pushed herself flush against his body, feeling him tense. His heart pounded against her chest and she could hear him take a deep breath.
    “Thanks for that. I needed a hug.” The husky murmur against her earlobe made her insides tingle, and Charlie swore her panties were smoking. She sure could use a lot more than a hug.
    But not now. And definitely not with Les.
    She could feel stirring in his pants against her hip, and longed to grind against him and pull him onto the bed, six inches away.
    But she knew better. Les would want more. She would only break his heart, and he was so broken already, she might just push him over the edge.
    Too soon, he pushed her away, gently. “I’m going down to the bar for a drink. That might help. Meet me there when you’re ready?”
    Suddenly feeling empty at the lack of Les in her arms, she stammered her agreement as she watched him walk out the door.
    An hour later, she was showered, makeup applied, hair blow-dried, and had dressed in the little black dress and heels she’d bought. Proud of her transformation, she rode the elevator down to the lobby and entered the bar area. She found Les leaning on the corner of the bar, smiling and talking to a man in a tux.
    She sauntered over, ignoring the feeling in her gut that had blossomed at seeing his teeth flashing.
    His drink was halfway to his lips when he saw her and froze for a second before smiling at her.
    “Charlie! And you said I clean up nice…” He embraced her and she could smell the whiskey on his breath mingling with the sandalwood aftershave. It was a heady combination, and she suddenly understood the meaning of the word swoon. “Meet Lance, the reason I’m here.” He released her from the all-too brief hug, but kept his hand