Page 12 of One More Time

Across the inlet, the sun was beginning its descent behind the lush green mountain ranges that hugged Sapphire Bay like a warm embrace. As the sun set, the brilliance of Mother Nature’s ovation-worthy show rightfully stole her attention, and her dreamy smile endeared itself to Charlie’s already smitten heart. Lying on his side, propped up on his elbow, he dunked another vinegar-ladened chip in tomato sauce then popped it in his mouth. In a moment of quiet contemplation, he admired the way the dusk enhanced the dusting of freckles on her cheeks, and made her glossy lips all the more desirable. He’d thought she was beautiful back in high school, but now she was absolutely breathtaking. What he’d give to lean in and kiss her …

For now, though, his focus was on proving to Grace and her father that his rebellious ways were far behind him, and he could be a true gentleman.

‘See that beautiful building at the end of the wharf?’ She pointed, and smiled softly. ‘One day, if everything pans out, I’m going to make it all mine.’

‘You mean the old fishermens’ shack?’ Charlie propelled another chip into his mouth.

‘Yes.’ She nodded.

‘Hmm.’ Sitting up, he regarded the rickety structure, unable to hide his grin. ‘I don’t think I’d call it beautiful, but as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’

And by god, she was beautiful …

Regarding him thoughtfully, her head tilted a little to the side. ‘Oh come on, Charlie, you have to admit, it has amazing character.’

‘Yeah, okay, I’ll give it that,’ he laughed, nodding. ‘When you make it all yours, what are you thinking of doing with it?’

Her sea-green eyes glittering with unbridled enthusiasm, Grace pulled her knees to her chest. ‘I want to turn it into a teashop, with pretty paintings on the walls and big windows and doors that allow the ocean inside.’ She breathed in deeply, her smile and eyes widening. ‘And a deck that stretches out over the water’s edge, with settees to watch the sunsets from, so it’s casual and relaxing but sophisticated.’ She closed her eyes for moment, as if envisioning it, and when she brought her gaze back to Charlie’s, it was filled with purpose. ‘I want it to be a place where people can share time with family while they eat delicious cakes, or propose to their lover over a pot of tea and scones, or just choose to kick back and watch the world go by. A place that people come back to, again and again.’

‘Wow, Grace, that sounds really fantastic.’ He turned his gaze from her pretty face, to seeing the old shack through her eyes, feeling honoured to be envisioning her vision. ‘And what would you call it?’

‘Now that, Charlie Wilson, is a great question.’ She rested her chin on her knees. ‘I’d call it Serendipity, because the word makes my insides sparkle.’

‘Sparkle, huh?’ His eyes met hers. ‘I really like that, Grace.’

She sighed, then shrugged. ‘It’s all a pipedream for now. One day, maybe, I’ll be lucky enough to make it my reality, but I have a lot of hard work ahead of me to save enough to do it.’

Her hunger to turn her ambitions into an actuality was so palpable, Charlie could feel it deep within his soul. ‘Well, if it counts for anything, I really hope you get the chance to fulfil your dream, Grace.’

She beamed from ear to ear. ‘Thanks, Charlie.’

He bathed in the genuine warmth of her smile. ‘So, what would you do, if you didn’t open a teashop?’

She thought about this for a few moments. ‘I’d probably become a nurse, like my mum.’ Her smile faltered. ‘I like to think I could help people, if I can’t feed people.’

‘Nice.’ Charlie couldn’t help but stare at her in adoring wonder – this woman was amazing, in every single way.

Grace narrowed her gaze a little, her smile turning wispy. ‘What are you thinking about, Charlie?’

He thought it best to be honest. ‘I know we shared that one magical moment in high school, which I’ll never forget, but it wasn’t like we spent much time together after that, and well, how do I put this …’

‘Oh, Charlie.’ Grace cut him off as she began fidgeting with the hem of her blouse. ‘Let’s not go there.’

‘No, please, let me finish.’ He reached out and touched her arm, wanting to put her at ease. ‘What I’m trying to say is, and I hope to god you don’t think I’m a weirdo, but I … I genuinely feel like I’ve known you for a lifetime. I mean, like I’ve really known you.’

‘Yeah, me too,’ she said quietly. ‘Weird, huh?’

He felt a flash of uncertainty. ‘Weird in a good kind of way, I hope?’

‘Yes, definitely in a good kind of way,’ she said, reassuringly, biting her bottom lip shyly.

Then, for a breath, followed by another, and another, they held each other’s gazes. A flood of heat rushed through Charlie, followed by a feeling of uninhibited tenderness and a potent need to protect this woman. He’d never experienced such an overwhelming sensation.

Not ever.

What in the heck is happening?

‘Dinner was great,’ he finally choked out, breaking the mood before he went and said something stupid, like ‘I think I’m going to fall madly in love with you’, and needing to do something with his hands, like wrapping up the greasy newspaper, before he did something else with them, like pulling her to him. ‘Did you want to stay a bit longer and stargaze before I drop you home?’ Although thrown off-kilter by what he was feeling, he didn’t want this night to end.