The Problem

CHAPTER 18

LAURA

"You're late. Very late. I was about to just head to bed."

"I'm so sorry Laura. I'm an hour late and it was only because someone needed me. I should have texted you but I was quite surprised by the person."

"Is this another girl you have slept with?"

She looks down, "It was my ex...but let me explain."

"Save it. That's told me enough."

Just as I try to close the door, she wedges it with her foot and pushes through. Closing it behind her, she groans and looks at me with what I recognise as anger. "I get it, I fucked up by not letting you know but for fucks sake, let me explain!"

"Go ahead."

She sighs then leans against the sofa, she looks me up and with a small smirk. "For someone who was about to go to bed, you are very dressed. And you look very good by the way."

"Charlie. You have ten seconds."

"We are going out, then I'll explain when we get there."

"Fine."

CHARLIE

Luckily the restaurant I suggested is owned up by a good friend of mine. So I called him on my way to Laura's to see if he has another time or could squeeze me in. And he did.

As soon as we are seated, we are given a bottle of red. Laura chuckles, "Sorry, can I just have water please?"

The waitress nods, "Sorry. The chef sent this."

"I can drink it!"

Laura laughs, "Yes you can. Now tell me why Dana was at your place?"

By now the waitress had gone to get her the water. I start thinking about how to address the situation without leaking everything but I know it's best to be honest.

"She wants to get a divorce. But the issues is that her husband claims that they made a contract for him to get fifty percent of her company. She claims there is no such contract and she didn't sign it but somehow he has gotten proof. She wants me to be her lawyer in this. And investigate the fabricated contract."

She sits in silence for a while till the water is served to us. We give her our order, then the waitress leaves again. Laura sighs, "So what now? Are you going to become a lawyer full time? And does this mean you two will be...close again?"

"Dana and I don't have any bad blood. We know that it's ended and will never come back. She's a good person and I have no intention in dating her nor sleeping with her."

"You want to be a lawyer again don't you?"

"What?"

"Charlie you avoided the question. I would have thought the whole Dana but would be the uncomfortable part but it seems like it wasn't. It's you wanting to be a corporate lawyer again...why are you scared?"

Thankfully the food lands on our table, as soon as we get a whiff of it, I start eating. The waitress refills our water while the wine is sat in the ice bucket. I'm driving today so I can't drink but I'll be definitely taking it home.

Half way through my meal, I watch a hand steal one of my fries.

"Laura..."

"They look so good. And so does your steak...can I have a bite?"

Chuckling, I nod and cut her up a little. She uses her fork to take it and almost melts in her seat with a soft moan as it touches her tongue. She looks at me with a little pout.

Swapping our plates, she starts eating my steak and chips. I look down at her plate which is consisting of lasagna and garlic bread. My mouth waters slightly as it's my favourite meal.

We then ate in silence and enjoyment. Once we were done, I got us dessert. Two chocolate cakes with ice cream on the side.

Then I watch my friend and chef, Donavon, walk towards us. He clasps his hands with a cheerful glint in his eye. "How is my old friend?! I'm sorry I couldn't come out of the kitchen sooner!"

"Donavon! It's been a while. The food was beautiful as always!"

He smiles then looks at Laura, "Now who is this lady?"

Laura blushes, "Laura Reed."

He takes her hand and places a kiss on it, "Donavon Hewitt."

I clear my throat, forcing them to look at me. "Donny, this is the girl. We're expecting..."

His eyes go wide as he steps back, "Oh congratulations to you both! The food is on the house!"

"I've already paid Donavon. Don't worry about it."

"Charlie...that money will be sent back into your account. You are family! You eat for free!"

Smiling, I stand up and hug him. "I've left a hefty tip too my friend," I mutter in his ear.

He hugs me tighter then laughs, "I hate you sometimes."

"Thanks for having us Donavon. I hope to see you again soon brother."

LAURA

Charlie just parked up by a cliff, and luckily we have just started to watch the sun set. We're sat on her hood and just staring at the sky as it fades between a light orange to a blushed purple.

It's beautiful just staring up in the sky with nothing on my mind.

Everything just seems so peaceful and relaxed. Charlie looks to be deep in thought so I place a hand on hers.

She looks at me and gives me a weak smile, "I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"For Dana. I know your not happy with the situation plus I was late for our date."

"I'm not mad anymore. And if you believe that you and Dana would act professionally then it's fine. I don't want you to get hurt."

She smiles then looks up, "I won't get hurt."

———

As soon as we get back to my place, she walks me to my door and then just stands there. She places a peck on my cheek, forming a heat on my cheeks. She looks at me with a soft smile, "I got you blushing again! It's been a while."

"Shut up Charlie. Now are you coming in or what? This isn't high school...I don't have a curfew," I chuckle.

She told her eyes and walks inside then straight upstairs. Following after her, she is in my room and stripping off to just underwear.

"It's like you forget about who's house this belongs to."

She smirks, "Oh no I remember. I also know you're ready to go to sleep. So come on. Let's consummate the date!"

Walking towards her, I slowly take my clothes off then push her against the bed. Straddling her in just my underwear, I wrap my arms around neck and look down at her.

Slightly adjusting myself, I graze her bulge. She looks at me with darkness in her delicate eyes.

"I don't have sex on a first date."

She smirks, "Don't pretend you didn't have sex before any dates."

"Hmmm I'll pretend I didn't. They were meaningless anyway...and boring."

Her eyes go wide, "Oh your about to regret that."