Free 3volve by Josefina Gutierrez Page B

to look into their systems. A big overhaul. Man I made a lot of money off them,” he laughs. “Do you have work today?”
    I pile their dirty dishes in the sink to wash later. “Nope. Boss man gave me the day off because I was working doubles.”
    “Why are you working a double? You need the money?” he asks concerned.
    “Whoa. Don’t do that.”
    “Do what?”
    “Worry so much. You’ll get worry lines. Besides I need to save up for Christmas.”
    “I can help, just saying.”
    “I know. I don’t mind a few hours here and there though.”
    “Oh, hold on a moment okay?” he says, muffling the phone. But I can still hear a young woman’s voice on the other side.
    “Sure thing,” I say. Her voice moves from across the room he’s in, getting closer. I can’t make out what they’re saying, but I know it doesn’t sound like his savvy assistant. So who else could he be talking to, I wonder.
    “Sorry about that.” He clears his throat. “Work stuff.”
    “Work huh?”
    “I should be there soon, and I’m tired. So is it cool if I crash at your place? Hotels seem so dreary at the present.”
    “You’ve been tired a lot lately. Any particular reason?” I try to sound casual, but a little jealousy seeps through.
    “Yeah. I’ve had a lot of out of town trips.”
    “Uh huh. Well you’re more than welcome to sleep in my room. The boys have a tutoring session at the library. They should be back before you get here.”
                  “Good. Okay, see you soon.”
                  “Be safe.”
                  “Sure thing love.”
                  I hang up the phone, sitting at the empty table. If he were dating anyone, I’m sure he would tell me. Right? Yeah, totally. We’re best friends after all. I play with my phone, spinning it around on its side. Maybe I should call Nessa…. No, no. He wouldn’t keep any big secrets from me.
     
    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
     
    The entire time I’m waiting for the boys to get home, I can’t stop thinking about Charlie—Charlie laying there in my bed. He probably took a shower and changed into those shirts, which highlight all the right areas. Okay, I really need to stop thinking of him on my bed shirtless.
    Or on my bed.
    But I’m still thinking of him when the front door jiggles open.
    “Hey.” He greets me with a smile like the one he always does, but this time it feels different. This time I want to reach my hand up and touch his lips.
    “Hey. You’re uh, in luck, the boys aren’t home yet.” I scramble to get the words out.
    “So then I have you all to myself.” Charlie pulls me towards him, resting his hand on my hip.
    I laugh uneasily but unmoving. “What did you have in mind?”
    His smile etches upwards in a slant, eyes crinkled, then finally says, “Food.” Charlie releases his hold on me and walks into the kitchen. “I’m starving.”
    He leaves me standing in the entryway shocked. What the heck just happened? I sigh, exasperated. “Food,” I mutter. I follow after him, kicking my feet at the air.
    Charlie is sitting on the bar stool, legs outstretched, tie loosened around his neck. And in so many ways he looks disheveled yet handsome all at the same time.
                  “You should get some sleep before the little germs get here,” I say, sitting on the kitchen table.
                  “Studying huh?” He takes a bite out of my Chinese leftovers.
                  “It’s a new thing they’re starting.” I check my phone again for updates, but they still haven’t called or texted.
                  Charlie’s phone starts ringing. Looking at the caller ID, he gets up, putting the plate in the sink. “I’m going to take you up on that nap before they get here.”
                  “Oh. Yeah okay.”
                  He squeezes my shoulder before walking upstairs and talking on his phone in hushed tones.
    The boys tumble