“It depends on what you have to say.”

“A cautious man.”

“I’ve been married. I know there are hidden pitfalls.”

She wanted to laugh, or at least smile. But right now it was hard enough to keep breathing. In a very short period of time, Clay had become important to her. Not in-love important—she wasn’t a complete idiot. But he was someone she liked having around. She would miss him. A whole lot more than she would have thought possible.

She supposed the good news was that with her healing came the prospect of a regular relationship. Sadly, she wasn’t interested in anyone else. Which made her the star in a bad teen movie.

She reminded herself that doing the right thing might hurt in the moment, but it always felt better in the long run. She sucked in a breath and plunged ahead.

“I want to thank you,” she said. “For helping me. For being patient and funny and godlike.”

She expected him to smile at that, but his gaze remained serious. “I know where this is headed.”

“Maybe so, but I’m still the one doing the talking. Remember?”

“Go ahead.”

She tucked her hands behind her, then dropped them to her side. “You were great. Better than you had to be. The bottom line is you’re going to get fair treatment at the department and I’m healed. So, technically, we’re done.”

She stared into his face, trying to figure out what he was thinking. There was no obvious sign of relief, for which she was grateful. A loud “Thank God!” would have been humiliating.

“No more deal,” he confirmed.

She nodded.

“No obligation.”

“Right.”

“Good to know. Now we can start dating.” He put his hands on her waist and drew her closer.

She stared at him. “What?”

“Dating. You know, going out. Seeing each other.” He leaned in close and pressed his mouth to her ear. “Hot monkey sex whenever we want.”

She shivered in anticipation, but still had to pull away and stare at him. “You’re saying you want us to go out?”

“No, I’m saying I want us to be a couple. Exclusive. I don’t like casual relationships. It’s too confusing.”

“Dating?”

“Yup.”

She felt bubbly inside. Almost girlie. But she wanted to make sure she understood. “We’ll exclusively date each other for an undetermined period of time.”

He gave her a slow, sexy smile, then took her hand in his and laced their fingers together. “Uh-huh. What do you say, Charlie?”

“I say yes.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“IT’S A BAR,” Dominique said as she glanced at the name on the door. “Are you sure?”

“That it’s a bar or that we should be here?”

“Both.”

“Mom, you gotta trust me. I eat here all the time. You’re going to love it.”

Dominique glanced from the sign proclaiming they were about to enter Jo’s Bar back to her daughter. “Very well.”

This was their first outing together. Dominique had offered lunch and Charlie had agreed. It sounded shorter than dinner, but offered more time together than coffee. Not that Charlie was looking for more time. Still, it was a good compromise.

They stepped into the bar and Dominique paused as she looked around. Charlie tried to see it from her mother’s worldly and elegant perspective.

The walls were a pretty mauve, the lighting bright enough to keep the place from being creepy, but still flattering. Dominique had always been a sucker for good light. The big televisions were turned to what looked like a fashion show and shopping and the clientele were all women.

“Very nice,” she said, at last. “I like it.”

“I’m glad.” Charlie motioned to a booth on the side. “Want to sit here?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Hey, Charlie.”

She glanced toward the bar and waved to her friend. “Hi, Jo.”

“Great burgers,” Charlie told her mother when they were seated. “I hear the salads are terrific.”

Dominique glanced at her daughter. “Ah, to be young and physical again and not have to worry about my weight.”

“Mom, you look great. Seriously. You’re practically bony. Give herself a break and have a burger.”

“Is the meat organic and grass-fed?”

Charlie rolled her eyes.

“I’ll take that as a no,” Dominique murmured.

Jo walked over with a couple of menus. “Ladies,” she said. “We’re running a special on the barbecue chicken salad. I can also make it into a wrap. And in honor of the fact that it’s nearly fall, we have sweet-potato fries today.”

Charlie moaned. “I love those.”

Jo grinned.

“Jo, this is my mom. Dominique—”

“Dixon,” Dominique said, interrupting her. “Dominique Dixon.” She held out her hand.

“Jo Trellis. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

“You have a mother,” Jo said, raising her eyebrows.

“I didn’t just hatch,” Charlie told her. “I’ll have a diet.”

“A glass of Chardonnay for me,” Dominique said. “No. On second thought, I’ll have a Corona with a lime.”

Both women stared at her. She stared back.

“Beer?” Charlie asked when Jo had left. Before this moment, she would have assumed her mother didn’t even know what beer was.

“It will go better with my nonorganic burger. And sweet-potato fries.”

“Impressive.”

“I can be fun,” Dominique said with a sniff.

“Apparently.”

Annabelle and Patience walked into the bar. When they saw Charlie they waved but didn’t approach. Instead they joined a table that included Nevada Janack and Liz Hendrix.

“Friends of yours?” Dominique asked.

“Yes. Annabelle works at the library. She’s engaged to Shane.” Speaking of Clay’s brother reminded her of a conversation she needed to have with her mother, but she would get through the who’s who list first.

“Patience works at one of the local salons. Divorced. Her husband was a real jerk, but she’s got a great kid. Lillie. Nevada—” Charlie pointed “—is one of three triplets.”

Dominique glanced at her. “I’ve met her mother. Denise. She’s very nice.”

“I’m glad you think so. Liz is married to the oldest Hendrix son, Ethan. She’s a mystery writer.”

“I’ve seen her books in the bookstore. What a wonderful place. I know we’re all going to be getting books directly implanted into our brains soon enough, but I still enjoy a good old-fashioned book in my hands.”

“Paper over electronics?” Charlie asked.

“Yes.”

Jo returned with their drinks. As Charlie watched, her mother expertly squeezed lime into the chilled glass, then poured in the bottle of Corona.

“You’ve done this before,” she said, not sure if she should be admiring or shocked.

“More than once.” Dominique took a sip, then smiled at Jo. “I’ll have the burger. Medium, with the sweet-potato fries.”

“You got it.” She glanced at Charlie and raised her eyebrows. “Same for you?”

Charlie nodded.

When Jo had left, she took a drink of her diet soda, then squared her shoulders. “Mom?”

Dominique sighed. “I know that tone. You’re about to tell me something I won’t like.”

Good call, she thought. “I’m about to tell you that Clay and I are dating.”

Her mother tilted her head. “I already knew that.”

Big oops. “Um, we’re exclusive,” she said quickly, knowing that she would take the truth to her grave. No way was she discussing her long-term sexual dysfunction with Dominique.

“It was his idea,” she added, both proud and defensive.

Dominique picked up the napkin and blotted her lips. Then she nodded slowly. “I think that’s wonderful. If you’re getting serious, I should probably get to know him. Isn’t that the traditional next step?”

Charlie felt her mouth drop open. She consciously closed it. “You want to spend some time with Clay?”

“Yes. Don’t worry. I’m not going to ask any embarrassing questions. I just want to get to know him. He’s your boyfriend and an important part of your life.”

Charlie hadn’t thought in terms of the b word. She found it a little startling to think about. “Okay,” she mumbled, knowing she would do her best to put off the meeting for as long as possible.

“Good.” Dominique took another drink of her beer. “I hope it works out for the two of you. Falling in love is so wonderful.”

Had Charlie been drinking, she would have choked. “No one’s in love.”

“You don’t start out that way, of course, but who knows what could happen. Love is a miracle. I still remember when I fell in love with your father. He swept into my life without warning and changed everything.”

She smiled fondly. “It was freezing outside. I remember how he brought the cold in with him. I was about to complain, but then he smiled and I couldn’t speak. He was wearing a ridiculous plaid coat. I hated it. He let it fall to the ground and he had a plaid shirt on underneath. I hate plaid. But it looked so good on him. As I looked at him all I could think was that I wanted those strong arms around me and that I never wanted him to let go.”

Dominique paused, then glanced down at the table. “Sorry. I got carried away.”

“No. Don’t apologize. It’s nice to hear you talk about Dad. I know you loved him.”

“I did. He was everything. In a world where I could never be sure of anyone, he was my rock.” She looked at Charlie. “I would have given it all up for him.”

“He wouldn’t have wanted that. He knew how your career made you happy.”

“He made me happy. I was so lucky to have him, even for those few short years. I will love him forever.” She reached across the table and touched Charlie’s hand. “I hope you find that kind of love. With Clay or someone else. I hope you know what it’s like to be with the one person who truly loves and respects you.”

Charlie felt the sincerity of her words. “Thanks, Mom. I’d like that, too.”

“Your father saw me for who I really was and he loved me anyway. So few people were interested in me as a person. They wanted to be with the star, the dancer. He loved the woman, flaws and all. That was very powerful.”

Dominique drew back and stared at her drink.

Her sadness was tangible. Charlie missed her father, but had a feeling her pain was on a different plane. Dominique had been shattered. It was unfortunate that the two of them hadn’t been able to connect over the loss and find solace in each other. Maybe they could change that now. Reconnect with each other. Charlie wasn’t looking for a sitcom mother who baked and giggled about boys. But she wouldn’t mind having someone she could think of as family.

* * *

ANNABELLE STRETCHED OUT on one of the lounge chairs in Charlie’s backyard. She had a sun hat pulled low and her feet up. “Don’t for a moment think I’m leaving without getting an answer. You two have been seen all over town, making out like teenagers. I consider myself a close personal friend, so I want the truth.”

Annabelle raised her hat and narrowed her eyes. “Do you doubt my determination?”

Charlie laughed. “Not for a second.”

“Good. Now start at the beginning. Last I heard, you were using Clay for sex. I totally respect that, by the way.”

“I know. It’s why we’re friends.”

“And?”

Charlie was glad Annabelle worried about her delicate complexion. That meant she was more concerned with keeping her face covered than watching Charlie’s expression. As Charlie was currently grinning like an idiot, she didn’t have to be embarrassed. She could revel in her happiness and still be considered one of the cool kids.

“Clay and I have been sleeping together,” she began. “It’s been going well.”

“I should hope so. I’m going to marry into the family. I would hate to have to be embarrassed by my brother-in-law’s bedroom skills.”

“You can rest easy. He’s spectacular.”

Annabelle groaned. “TMI.”

“Sorry. Anyway, I was thinking that I was, you know, healed, so I told him.”

Annabelle pulled off the hat. “Just like that?”

“I thought I had to.”

“You are principled, young lady. Then what happened?”

“Clay listened and agreed. We were done with our deal.” She did her best not to beam. “Then he said he wanted us to keep seeing each other. Exclusively. So we’re dating.”

Annabelle laughed. “You have a boyfriend.”

“Something like that.”

“Patience said you were holding hands when you went to the movies. It’s very sweet.”

“Don’t make me hurt you.”

“Come on, let us have fun with this. You’ve got this amazing guy. The little people should be able to find happiness where they can.”

“Fine. Mock me all you want.”

“I will.” Her eyes widened. “I know. Marry Clay and then we can be sisters.”

Charlie was surprised by the jolt of longing that shot through her. “Calm down. No one’s getting married.”