Coffee for Charlie

Pinky Promises

"Skip, that's too embarrassing!" I laughed before pushing my hair behind my ears.

"That's cheating. We said we be honest." Charlie stated. He was sitting in front of me on our hotel floor.

"Okay, okay...someone dumped their food on me because they didn't like me." I admitted forcefully.

"That is pretty bad. In front of everyone too." Charlie chuckled.

"Your turn. What's the worst thing that's happened to you?"
Our fingers were twined together in front of us. His hands were back to that warm feeling that sent tingles up my arms. His green eyes were alive again; bright forest green orbs taking in everything around him.

"I tripped going up the steps..." He said softly. I opened my mouth to protest but he lifted a finger from his free hand. "But, I ended up cracking open my head." He laughed and picked up my hand to press my fingers against his forehead. I could feel a soft indent under my fingertips and I gasped.

"Certainly beats my story." I grinned at him. He held my hand before him; studying it with great intent. I bit my lip, questions were gnawing around in my brain.

"Charlie..." I murmured. He looked up at me from under his dark lashes and my heart melted. "Why didn't you tell me you had no family?" I saw him work his jaw before sighing heavily.

"I didn't know this would happen, Eva. I didn't want you to be scared or take our time for granted." His cheeks were turning a bright pink and I silently questioned him with a raise of my brow.

"This happened sooner than..." He let out a breath. "Sooner than I wanted. I was going to tell you. Eva! Please believe me." His grip upon my hand had tightened and I gave him a lopsided smile.

"Charlie, I am not mad at you. I am scared, but I am trying not to let that overcome me." I looked into those deep green eyes and he smiled. "I am just glad that you're okay now." My free hand toyed with the white strip of plastic around his wrist.

Ever since we had left the hospital, I had been trying to be very delicate with him; I drove five miles under the speed limit, nearly came to a stop over speed bumps, and made sure he wasn't feeling too hot or cold. It may have been over the top but I felt responsible for caring for him now.

"Thank you." He said softly. When I looked at him he wasn't looking at me.

"For what?"

"Staying there. You didn't leave." He still wouldn't meet my eye.

"Charlie," I cupped his face so that he had to look at me. "I would have waited a thousand years if that's what it took." I smiled at him then I made a face. "Though, those chairs may have caused some back damage." He laughed loudly this time before his hands grasped mine that were on the sides of his face.

"Thank you." He said sternly; looking me directly in the eyes. I almost wanted to question what had happened to him a long time ago. Had his mother left him? Had she died? Did his parents beat him?

I looked down but he pulled my face up and in a quickly moment, I saw his eyes flash to my lips before he leaned in towards me. Realizing his intentions; my heart rate began to thrum against my chest. The corner of his lips pulled up slightly before he pressed his full lips to mine.
My eyes closed on their own accord and I knew I wanted this. I had known I wanted him the first time I had seen him in the coffee shop with that thick paged book. My lips parted against his and he let his tongue slip into my mouth; taking my invitation. My fingers were knotting into his hair as I moved my body closer to his. His hands were sliding down my back and then they stopped just at the hem of my t-shirt. His fingertips purposefully brushed my skin; causing shivers to run up my spine and without telling myself to stop, I moved myself into his lap. Our lips broke apart and our breath came out in ragged breaths. Searching my eyes for an answer to his fingers, I nodded and before I could blink, my shirt was throw behind me and I sat there topless in my little pink bra. Biting my lip, I giggled.

"What?" He grinned at me. "Don't tell me you're self conscious?" I batted his arm.

"Well, you wouldn't understand. You're not topless." I whined. He raised a brow and grinned.

"I can fix that." He stated before lifting his shirt up and throwing it behind me. I stared at him in awe. His fingers ran down my jaw; sparks exploding against my skin. Leaning in, I pressed my lips to his. My teeth dragging across his lips, making him groan as he wrapped his arms around me.
Just as I began to feel him fumble with the clasp of my bra, there was a sharp knock on the door. I felt his fingers form into fists on my back.

"That would be the food..." I murmured against his lips. He shook his head and bit my lip gently. "Charlie..." I pushed at his chest. He groaned and pulled back to look at me. "Pinky promise me that we will finish this?" He lifted up his pinky finger before me. "Seriously?" I raised a brow.

"Come on, food is waiting." His green eyes were bright and so alive, my heart melted and I clasped my own pinky around his. A dazzling white smile was his response to me at he lifted me up; holding my butt so that he could place me down on the couch.
I watched his half naked body stalk to the door; pants hanging just on his hip so that his Adonis belt was in clear view.

I let my mind drift as he talked to the delivery man. I hardly knew who Charlie was. What else could he be keeping from me? His family? How was he managing to pay for those medical expenses? The same questions seemed to be repeating over and over in my head. He was walking towards me now, with two brown bags of Chinese food in hand. Those questions would have to wait...but how long did I really have with Charlie? How much longer did he have left? Does he know?

"What's wrong?" He asked as he sat beside me, offering me a bag. The smell wafted up to my nose. I closed my eyes and let all the questions slip away.

"Nothing." I smiled at him before we both opened our bags.

"Charlie?"

"Hm..?" He mumbled. The room was dark: we both were laying in the two beds of the hotel. I couldn't manage to get myself to fall asleep though. He sounded like he was getting sleepy from the way his voice has deepened.

"You want to go to the lake house tomorrow?" I was playing with the edge of the pillow. I heard his body shift in the bed.

"I thought your family was going to be there?" I heard him stifle a yawn.

"Yes, but, I-I thought that...well, you could meet my family." I said quietly. For a second I had thought he hadn't heard me. Then I heard him suck in a breath.

"Evangeline?"

"Yes?" I was a little surprised that he had used my full name.

"What do you consider us?" I was so glad he could not see my face when he asked me that.
What did I consider him? I mean I had known him for almost two months now. I even call him 'My Charlie'. I had feelings for him. That kiss had to mean something, right? Kisses like that just didn't happen. I had been so busy trying to keep up with our daily activities, I hadn't thought of it.

"What do you consider us?" I questioned him back. Then silence filled the room. What if that kiss hadn't meant a thing to him? Nervously, I began to chew the inside of my lip. Instead of waiting for his reply, I piped up:
"We are best friends! My parents are going to love you!" I tried to force the happiest tone I could manage. Again he said nothing. Sighing, I turned myself over to face the wall: my back to him.

"The lake house sounds grand." I heard him murmur softly before I too heard him move around. I shut my eyes tightly and tried not to think of my feelings for him but I could still feel his damn kiss upon my lips and all I could think of before drifting off into sleep was...

What about our pinky promise, Charlie?