Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
I handed her a folder with printed out details of the available properties Janice had emailed me, including pictures. And no, I wasn’t particularly a hard copy guy. I was just weirdly energised to help Charli in her search, so I’d gone all out.
“Oh. What is it?” She took the folder and pushed her glasses back down as she opened it to scan the contents.
“Those are some rental properties my friend Janice sent. She said she can arrange a few viewings this Saturday if you’re free.”
“Wow, this is great. Thanks so much. And yes, I’m free Saturday.”
“Perfect. I’ll let her know.”
With that, I turned, sending a quick nod to Charli’s coworkers. “Barry. Maeve.” And then I left. I knew Maeve would be straight on her phone to Steph, but I no longer cared. I’d tried being the good guy, but Steph clearly wasn’t interested in my kindness. When I’d spoken to her at the bar during Aidan’s restaurant opening, she’d made it very clear her intention was to sleep with my friend. I was so done with her games and hadn’t even bothered to call Aidan and ask if anything had happened. I didn’t want to know, and besides, Aidan was far too shrewd not to immediately peg that Steph was out for revenge. He’d been a bit vacuous as a teenager, but he wasn’t like that anymore. In fact, I enjoyed his company nowadays almost as much as I enjoyed Derek’s.
About an hour later, my phone buzzed with a text.
Charli: Maeve’s been shooting me some aggressive side eye since you dropped off that folder.
Guilt nagged at me. Maybe I should’ve just emailed her the list of properties instead.
Me: Sorry. Would you prefer if I don’t stop by your office anymore?
Charli: No way! You’re my coworker and friend. You’re allowed to come talk to me. Maeve shall just have to get over it I’m afraid.
I smiled at her reply as I typed back.
Me: That’s my girl.
It was only after I hit send I realised how Charli might construe my phrasing. I hadn’t meant it as a possessive statement even if I did have a lot of old feelings stirring for her. When she didn’t write anything back, I worried I might’ve inadvertently said the wrong thing, so I tried a new subject.
Me: I can drop by on Saturday and drive you to the viewings if you’d like?
Charli: Oh, that’s not necessary. You’d be driving so far out of your way. Could we meet at the first property instead? I’d still like you with me so that you can chime in on the location, etc.
I pressed a finger to my chin, wanting to say I didn’t mind driving out of my way for her, but again, I was worried about coming on too strong.
Me: Of course. I’ll let you know the schedule as soon as Janice sends it.
Charli: Thanks, Rhys. You’re the best :-)
For some reason, the little smiley face got to me. If her meltdown in the restaurant on Friday was anything to go by, she’d been through a lot the past few years. Hell, she’d been through a lot for over a decade. It was why I liked being able to make her smile even in text form.
I wanted to make her smile every time I saw her.
29.
Charli
That’s my girl.
I read his text more times than I could count, a fluttery feeling in my belly every time I imagined Rhys saying it in his deep Irish accent. In the end, I had to force myself to stop because I liked him referring to me as “his girl” far too much, but he’d obviously meant it in an encouraging, friendly way.
On Saturday morning, he was already there when I arrived to the first apartment. It was an open viewing, and there was a line of about fifty people ahead of us. His friend Janice had scheduled the open viewings for the morning and would be meeting us after lunch to show us around a few places privately. But if this was the current demand for rental properties, I worried I was going to have a tough time finding a place.
“Oh man, this doesn’t bode well,” I said as I reached Rhys and casually slid my arm through his. The more time I spent around him, the more comfortable I’d been getting, and lately, I couldn’t resist touching him in small ways. I craved his nearness. It was a big change to how I’d been only a couple weeks ago when I’d first arrived. I’d been anxious and tended to give most people a wide berth, especially men. But I didn’t hesitate for even a second to get close to Rhys. After how gentle and understanding he’d been when I’d broken down at the restaurant opening, he’d certainly earned my trust. I felt safe with him.