What About Charlie? (30 page)

Suddenly he moved away from her and removed his pajama bottoms. Then he pushed up her nightgown to her stomach, and with several tugs, slid her panties down her legs.

Centering himself between her thighs, he thrust hard inside her. She arched up to him, meeting him thrust for frantic thrust.

It happened fast and quick for both of them. But instead of feeling empty because it was over so soon, Charlie felt amazingly filled and, yes, very happy.

Evan rolled over to his side and tenderly wrapped her in his arms. Within moments, they were both fast asleep.

The temperature was mild and the sky the bluest she’d ever seen. It was a beautiful day. A magnificent day. And, of course, it was because of her day with Evan yesterday. After all these long and lonely months of depression, she actually felt happy, felt as it her life was not a long, narrow road to nowhere. Her life now had purpose, a future to look forward to with Evan by her side.

Charlie smiled to herself. She was looking forward to tonight so much! It was another huge step for them, though it may appear insignificant at first glance. But they were going out as a married couple, a happily married couple! That distinction was one of great significance. This was their beginning.

She’d spent a good portion of the day shopping with Evan’s mother, trying to find the perfect outfit for the occasion. When they finally returned home, she was disappointed to find Evan out. So, she lay on the bed and closed her eyes to rest for a few minutes.

When she opened her eyes again, Evan was standing beside the bed, looking down at her, smiling.

“I was about to wake you. We need to start getting ready. It’s too late to eat before we leave, so I thought on the way home we’d stop for a late supper.”

Charlie lazily stretched then sat up. “I hadn’t intended on falling asleep. I meant to rest for only a few minutes.”

“There’s no need to apologize. Mother told me you two had a very busy morning shopping. She said you found a beautifully elegant dress to quote her. You didn’t let her talk you into a dress you didn’t like, did you? I wanted you to get what you wanted.”

“No. The dress is lovely. The only thing I was concerned about is that it is sleeveless. It’s winter. I never heard of wearing a sleeveless dress in winter. Your mother assured me, however, that she had a coat that would match it perfectly. She said that I wouldn’t want my dress to be too heavy because it can get warm in the theatre.

“She is correct. It can become very warm.”

Charlie stood. “Well, let me start getting dressed.”

Evan reached out and took her hands into his. “Charlie,” he said, looking deep into her eyes, “this night is for you. I want you to have a wonderful time. Your wish will be my command.”

She squeezed his hands and smiled. “This will be our night, Evan, and no one else’s.”

****

Evan’s breath caught in his chest when he saw Charlie slowly descending the staircase into the foyer, her hand on the rails as she slowly maneuvered down. Then she smiled, and at that moment her beauty seemed to increase tenfold. Of all the women he’d dated and seen over the years, none compared to her. No one. She was amazing; a breath of fresh air, his island in a stormy sea.

****

Charlie felt like she was floating on air as Evan escorted her through the main lobby of the Wang Theater. She had never seen anything so beautiful and elegant in her life. On the ride over, Evan had mentioned that the theater had been originally modeled after European theaters when it had been built in the 1920’s. Only a few years ago the building had gone through a costly but much needed renovation and was named after a generous donor. Evan’s own family had substantially contributed to the cause, with his mother playing a major role in the fund raising activities.

Their efforts had certainly paid off, Charlie saw. She felt like she had been transported back to Victorian times, she a Lady and Evan her Lord, the marble floors gleaming beneath them, the crystal chandeliers sparkling above them.

Evan looped his arm through hers and escorted her through the crowd in the lobby and up the stairs that ascended through the middle of the lobby. Evan held her arm tight, walking slowly to accommodate Charlie’s slow and awkward gait.

Normally, she would have felt exceedingly self-conscious, certain that people were staring at her as she walked. But at that moment, the thought never occurred to her. Evan made her feel so beautiful and complete – perfect like nothing at all was wrong with her.

Looking down at her, Evan’s chest tightened. This was his Charlie. This was the woman he’d come to know and thought he had lost. She was so full of life – vibrant, glowing. She was breathtaking.

He leaned his head towards her and spoke in a low voice so only she could hear. “You look lovely tonight. By far the loveliest lady here.”

Charlie looked up at him, her eyes filled with surprise. Laughing, thinking this was just like old times when they used to tease each other, she said, “And you are by far the handsomest man here.”

They stopped and stood in line waiting to be seated.

Evan’s eyes locked with hers. “I mean it, Charlie.”

She looked away from, suddenly at a loss for words. Through the years they had bantered back and forth saying these very words. But tonight was different. He was serious. As serious as she’d ever seen him.

An usher appeared to escort them to their seats.

Waiting, making sure the usher was several steps ahead of them, Charlie said, “I mean it too, Evan. I really do.”

Evan suddenly stopped and took her hands into his, turning her towards him, looking into her eyes. “You make me happy, Charlie.” He lightly brushed her lips with his.

“Mr. Collier?”

Evan smiled at Charlie. “Come, Charlie. We mustn’t keep him waiting.”

****

Charlie felt like she was in a fairy tale. They sat perched above the crowd in a loge as Evan had called it. She called in a box. It was just the two of them and they were very much alone among the several thousand gathered in the theater.

Charlie would have liked to have played dumb and ignored his comment, put all the ugliness behind her, but they needed to address it.

“I can understand your wanting to keep your private life private when you didn’t tell your family all there was to know about me. There were many things that I never told my father. I don’t think he would have understood,” she said, though it still hurt to think about it.

“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell my family about you. We had a special relationship, one that was not easily understood by our own friends. I certainly didn’t expect my parents to understand. They’re from an age where a man and woman could never be simply good friends. If a man and woman were continually around each other, enjoying each other’s company, it’s automatically assumed there is an attraction, not friendship. I simply didn’t want them pressuring me about us. I didn’t want what we had to be spoiled or trivialized.”

“I think maybe your parent’s views were correct,” Charlie said thoughtfully. “We didn’t remain friends after all.”

“You’re right,” Evan agreed, pausing for a moment. “Perhaps there had been an attraction between us all along.”

Charlie opened her mouth to ask what about now? Is there more than attraction now? But the lights dimmed and the orchestra below began to play, forcing her to bite back the question she longed to ask.

When Evan clasped her hand in his, squeezing it tightly, looking over at her, giving her an incredibly sexy smile, Charlie was glad the orchestra started playing when it did. They had a special relationship on which they could build their marriage. Though he did not love her, he truly cared for her. That was enough. But hadn’t she said that before? Would it be so wrong to hope for far more?

Slipping her chinchilla coat over her shoulders, Charlie savored the brush of Evan’s fingers over her bare arms. His hands were warm and soft and she couldn’t help but think about how they felt on her body last night when he made love to her. He knew where to touch her and how to touch her was well. Before he had entered her, she had been whipped into a wild frenzy, filled with immense want and need.

Though she seriously doubted she was the most beautiful woman in attendance, perhaps, though, she was the most beautiful woman to him there. The thought made her giddy with happiness. They were becoming closer, more relaxed with each other just as a married couple should.

After slowly ascending the stairs, Evan began guiding her through the crowded lobby toward the entrance. Roughly half-way across she felt his arm tense ever so slightly. She immediately looked up at him, following his gaze across the lobby to a woman walking towards them. She was tall and graceful, moving as if she were floating across the floor. Her dark hair was swept up, her eyes intense upon Evan. As she drew closer, Charlie could clearly see her features. Her eyes were black or a dark brown, her skin tone olive and flawless, her lips full. She was beautiful and elegant and she was headed straight towards them.

Elena?

The moment the thought entered her mind she knew it was true, by the look on Evan’s face, by the way the woman was looking at him. This was the woman who’d broken Evan’s heart; the woman he’d never fully gotten over. This was Elena.

The way Elena asked, her voice, made Charlie feel small and insignificant, like Elena thought Charlie was unworthy of Evan’s company.

“This is my wife, Charlie.”

“Charlie, what an odd name for a woman. Isn’t that an old man’s name?”

“And I find it equally odd, Elena, that you weren’t performing tonight. Ah, yes, you were released from the company because your dancing wasn’t up to standards. I’d almost forgotten.”

Evan turned from her and quickly guided Charlie through the rest of the lobby to the entrance door leaving Elena glaring after them.

Charlie glanced anxiously at Evan, wishing he would slow down. This pace was tiring her hip very quickly. The lightness and the closeness they had shared earlier in the evening had disappeared. His jaw was set and his eyes were narrowed from anger.

Charlie wanted to ignore the incident, pretend it never happened. That would be the easiest thing to do. But she couldn’t let it go. It was there between them right now and had to be addressed. Of that she was certain. But what she wasn’t certain of, however, was what to say and how to say it. She felt very confused.

When they got back to the house, both deciding to skip dinner at a restaurant, the lights were burning in the den, but Evan bypassed peeking in the door and saying hello. Instead, they went up the stairs, Evan only a step behind her in case she took a misstep.

Their room when they entered was dark save for a fire that had been lit in the hearth.

Evan turned on a bedside lamp, yanking his tie loose as he did so.

Charlie watched him, her hands cold and clammy, her heart and mind confused. She wished he would say something, give her an indication as to what he was thinking. He’d drawn up in himself. It was a side of Evan she’d rarely seen directed towards her.