Chasing Tomorrow Page 4

  “I can’t help it. I’m starving here. I’ve just slept for fourteen hours and before that I’d only had airplane food.”

  Emma laughed. “So much for you English women being proper ladies.”

  “Oh, but we are! When we need to be. It’s just that right now, I don’t need to be.” She cocked her pinky finger in the air as she took another swig of her tea. “Is that better?”

  “No!” said Emma with a laugh. “I prefer the real you, not the airs and graces version.”

  They sat on the bed and worked their way through the plate of croissants as they talked.

  “So, what’s been going on in your world?” asked Charlotte.

  “Not much. I got into the school I wanted.”

  “Ben said you’re going to Oregon?”

  “That’s right. So I won’t be too far away if you want to come visit.”

  Charlotte smiled. She knew that Emma must be nervous about striking out on her own. “Don’t worry, we’ll come and see you. But I’ll bet you won’t need us. You’re doing a creative writing course, aren’t you? You’re absolutely brilliant. You’ll make all kinds of friends.”

  Emma nodded. “I am kind of excited to meet people who want to write, but I wish I could take you all with me. I’m going to miss everyone so much.”

  Charlotte gave her a hug. “You’ll be too busy to miss anyone, and before you know it we’ll all be back here for holidays.”

  Emma nodded, but she didn’t look convinced. “You must be excited.”

  “I am! We’re not going to live in dorms. We’re going to get a place together. I can’t wait. We really are starting out on our life together.”

  “It’s perfect. I’m so happy for you both.”

  “Thanks, Emma.”

  They both looked up at the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs. Missy burst into the room. “Beanpole!” she cried.

  “Shrimp!” replied Charlotte as she jumped off the bed to hug Missy. She couldn’t resist it, she patted her on the top of her head. “I see you’ve still not had that growth spurt, then?”

  Missy wrinkled her nose at her. “Good things come in small packages, you know. Not everyone can be the tall and slender supermodel build like you. And besides, what I lack in height, I make up for in wobbly bits!”

  Charlotte and Emma both laughed as Missy wiggled her backside and shook her ample breasts at the same time.

  “Slow down there, would you? We’re going to have wobbly bits flying out the window if you’re not careful. You made your point.”

  Missy laughed. “Okay, but just because you don’t appreciate my build, some people do.”

  Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “And what people or person would this be?” She looked at Emma. “Anyone I know?”

  Emma shook her head with a smile. It didn’t look like a very genuine smile though.

  “His name’s Travis,” said Missy with a big grin. “And he totally appreciates my wobbly bits. All night long!”

  Charlotte was a little surprised at that. “Really? So, tell me more about this Travis. Do I get to meet him this afternoon?” Again she noticed that Emma’s smile was a long way from genuine. In fact, it was fading completely now.

  “No,” said Missy. “I just see him at night.”

  “Oh.” Charlotte was even more surprised. Missy wasn’t the kind of girl who just saw a guy for that! Or at least she never had been.

  Missy shrugged. “He’s a nice guy.”

  Charlotte stared her down.

  “What?”

  “So, if he’s a nice guy, why isn’t he coming to hang out with everyone?”

  Missy shrugged. “We don’t have that kind of thing going on, we just, well…you know.” She laughed. “I’m using him for his body, okay?”

  “More like he’s using for you for yours,” said Emma.

  Charlotte was a little taken aback. Emma never had a bad word for anyone.

  “Ignore her,” said Missy. “She’s just jealous. Little Miss Prim and Proper over there is still a virgin.”

  Emma’s cheeks turned bright red. “So! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. I’m not ready to go there, so I’m not going there. And when I do it will be with someone I like and respect.”

  Missy laughed. “And that’s fine for you. But don’t judge me for not feeling the same way. I like sex! Travis is good at it. What’s the problem?” She grinned at Charlotte. “I bet you and Ben have already made up for lost time. You agree with me don’t you? Sex is great!”

  Charlotte nodded. She didn’t want to take sides in this one. She did agree with Missy that sex was great, but she also agreed with Emma. It was only great for her because it with someone she liked and respected. More than that, it was with the man she loved. Maybe they were a little young, but she planned on Ben being the only man she would ever have sex with.

  Missy made a face. “Anyway. We’ve got far too much catching up to do to be wasting time on this.” She plonked herself on the end of the bed and gave Emma a quick hug. “Sorry, Mouse. I guess I’m maybe a little defensive. I’m kind of shocked at me, too, but I’m enjoying it, so I’m going with it, okay?”

  Emma smiled and hugged her back. “I’m sorry, too, Miss. It’s only because I love you and I worry about you. I’m not being judgmental. I just don’t want to see you get hurt—or used.”

  Missy shrugged. “I’m a big girl, but thank you. I do know it’s only because you care.”

  Charlotte smiled to herself, relieved that the tension between them had already evaporated. Those two were so different. It didn’t make sense that they should be such good friends, but the one thing they had in common was a great big loving heart and that more than outweighed their differences.

  “So now that you two have kissed and made up, catch me up on all the gossip. What’s been going on around here? What have I missed?”

  Missy picked up a croissant. “How long have we got?”

  “However long it takes. We’ll see the guys when we get there.”

  Chapter Six

  Ben ran down the stairs and stopped when he saw his mom standing in the kitchen.

  “We’re back!” she said with a smile.

  Ben nodded. He could see that, much as it surprised him.

  “Come and give me a hug, then! Anyone would think you weren’t glad to see me.”

  He leaned in and gave her a brief hug. “I thought you weren’t coming home until next weekend?”

  She laughed. “We thought we’d surprise you. Charlotte’s here, isn’t she?”

  Ben had to bite his tongue. He shouldn’t let it get to him, but it did. “Yeah, she got in last night.”

  “And we wanted to see her. We thought you both might be happy to see us.”

  Ben nodded again. He was a firm believer in the old adage, if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.

  His mom wasn’t going to let his silence pass, though. “But you aren’t, are you?”

  “I’d have been happier to see you if you could have made my graduation.” Damn! He’d promised himself he wasn’t going to bring that up.

  She reached out and touched his hair, pushing it back away from his collar. That just irritated him more. She hated that he wore it so long, and never missed the opportunity to let him know it. “We did say we were sorry about that.”

  He nodded again. He really didn’t want to get into it with her. All he wanted to do was get out of here and get over to Michael’s house. Charlotte was probably already there by now. She must have slept longer than she expected to. She hadn’t come by the resort to find him today.

  “Do you want to ask her over for dinner?”

  He shook his head. “We’re meeting everyone over at Michael’s. I need to go.”

  “Oh. I see. You see your friends all the time. Can’t they do without you for one night?”

  “No. I’ve made plans with them. They’re expecting us. I don’t like to let people down.” He left it at that. She got his point.
He didn’t need to add the unlike you that he wanted to. Or to mention that he saw his friends all the time because they were always there for him. Unlike her and his dad who just waltzed in and out when it suited them. “I’ll see you later,” he called as he made for the back door.

  He was the first to arrive at Michael’s place and breathed a sigh of relief when he walked into the kitchen. He loved this place, it always felt so homey and welcoming. Michael’s parents were awesome. His dad looked up from his seat in the corner.

  “How’s it going, Ben?”

  He nodded. “Okay, thanks. How about you, Doc?”

  “Better than you by the sound of it.” He gave Ben a kindly smile. “I heard your folks are back?”

  “Yeah.” He shrugged. “But on the bright side, Charlotte’s here!”

  Doc laughed. “I heard that, too. That should be enough to keep a smile on your face.”

  “Oh, it is!” Michael said as he came into the kitchen to join them. “He’s been grinning like an idiot for the last week, just at the thought of her getting back here. You know they’re going off to college together, right, Dad?”

  Doc nodded. “I had heard.” He winked at Ben. “At least they’re not going to the other side of the world.”

  “They don’t need to. Ben doesn’t have a perfect big brother whose shadow he needs to get out from under.”

  Doc shook his head. “Neither do you! You’ve never been in Gabe’s shadow. I wish you’d give up with that crap.”

  Michael grinned. “I will. Just as soon as I get to Australia.”

  Doc looked at Ben. “Can you believe this guy?”

  Ben smiled. “I believe he wants to go off and see the world, make his own in way in it. I get that.”

  Doc nodded. “So do I, really.” He looked at Michael. “I just wish he wasn’t going so far away.”

  “Aww, are you going to miss me, Dad?”

  Doc laughed. “No, but your mother is, I just don’t want to have to deal with her moping.”

  Lizzie Morgan appeared in the doorway. “I’ve told you both before. I can go, too.”

  Ben laughed at Michael’s expression, and his dad’s as they both said, “No you can’t!”

  “Come on, Ben. Let’s get out of here I’ve got the boat ready down at the dock. The others can come find us when they get here.”

  Ben smiled at the Morgans before following Michael out.

  “You be careful out there,” Lizzie called after them.

  “Don’t worry, mom,” Michael shouted back as they made their way down the sweeping lawn to the water’s edge.

  They climbed into the boat and Michael grinned at him. “I’m guessing you and Charlotte got your long awaited reunion last night?”

  Ben nodded, trying to keep the grin off his face, but not quite managing it.

  Michael smirked. “Don’t worry, I’m not asking for details. I’m just jealous, I guess.”

  “Jealous? You?”

  Michael laughed. “Yeah, why not me?”

  “Because you’re Mr. Fun and Flirty. I would have thought that the idea of having a longtime girlfriend would freak you out. Especially the thought of going off to college with her.”

  Michael smiled. “Well, yeah. You are going to be passing up on the biggest opportunity of your life. But, nah. I do envy you and Charlotte. You don’t need to go off to college to sleep with as many girls as you can. You two have already got it figured. And you’re good together. You’re good for each other.”

  Ben smiled. “Thanks,” was all he could think of to say. He knew it was true.

  “Hey, guys!” Pete came walking down the lawn to join them. “How’s it going?”

  “Going great,” said Michael. “We’re just waiting on the girls.

  Pete nodded. “I guess I’d better take a seat then. Who knows how long they’re going to be.”

  “I wouldn’t put money on them taking too long,” said Michael. “Charlotte’s here, remember. She’ll be dragging the other two along so she can get back to our Ben.”

  As if to prove him right, the sound of laughter made them look up the driveway at the side of the house.

  “Although,” Michael continued, “I may have to take that back. My mom’s not going let Charlotte out of there in under ten minutes.”

  Ben laughed. Lizzie Morgan loved all the girls, especially Charlotte. Charlotte loved her right back and they’d no doubt want to catch up.

  “So, while we wait for them, why don’t we make a plan for where we’re going?” asked Pete. “I hate waiting on the girls to decide what they want; they always take so long.”

  “I was thinking we could go up toward North Cove,” said Michael.

  “Sounds good to me,” said Ben.

  “Me, too,” added Pete. “I’ve always loved it up there.”

  “Wow, that was quick,” said Michael.

  Ben looked up to see the girls making their way down to join them. He smiled at the sight of Charlotte. She took his breath away. Her long, slender legs were encased in faded blue jeans. She was wearing his favorite T-shirt—the one that showed off her breasts so well. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail that swung as she walked.

  Pete punched his arm. “Reel your tongue back in, would you?”

  Ben laughed. He couldn’t help it.

  Michael was up out of the boat and back on the dock before the girls reached them. He wrapped Charlotte in a hug. “Welcome home!”

  “Thanks, Michael. It’s good to be here.” She got into the boat and hugged Pete. “It’s good to see you.”

  “You, too. It feels like summer can finally begin now that you’re here.”

  Charlotte came to Ben and snuggled under his arm as he hugged her to him. “Life can finally begin,” she said as she smiled up at him. “This summer is going to be wonderful, but what’s even better is I don’t have to leave when it’s over.”

  Ben nodded his agreement. There would be no more good-byes between the two of them.

  Michael helped Emma and then Missy down into the boat. “Are we all ready to go?”

  “We are,” said Emma. She held up the big tote bag she was carrying. “And I brought supplies.”

  Pete grinned. “You’ve been cooking again?”

  “I certainly have.”

  Charlotte grinned at her. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? I never feel like I’m really home until I get to eat Mouse food.”

  Emma laughed and fished in the bag. She brought out a huge chocolate chip cookie and handed it to Charlotte. “All you had to do was ask.”

  “And what about me?” asked Michael from his seat at the wheel. “I’m the Captain, and I say we’re not going anywhere until I get a cookie.”

  Emma handed him one. “There, and where are we going anyway?”

  “North Cove.”

  “Great. Can we stop and see Aunt Martha?”

  “Of course we can. I reckon she’ll have some goodies for us, too.”

  “You’re such a bloody mercenary, Michael,” said Charlotte with a laugh.

  Michael grinned as he started up the engine and maneuvered the boat away from the dock. “Maybe so, but I bet you’ll eat as many of Aunt Martha’s cookies as I will.”

  Ben grinned down at Charlotte. She no doubt would. He had no idea how she managed to stay so slender, she ate as much as any of the guys.

  She smiled back up at him. “That’s true, Michael.” As she spoke she slipped her arm around Ben’s waist and let her fingers slide down inside the waistband of his jeans. “I have a healthy appetite.”

  She wasn’t talking to Michael any more, and she wasn’t talking about cookies either.

  ~ ~ ~

  It was late by the time they’d said good-bye to the others. Ben held her hand as he drove.

  “Where are we going?” Charlotte asked.

  “I don’t really know.” He squeezed her hand. “Just not home yet.”

  “I can’t wait until home means our place, and we can’t wait to get there.�
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  “Me neither. It’s going to be so cool to have our very own little place, where it’s just us. No one else can come waltzing in.”

  “You mean like your mum and dad?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. They’re back. They want to see you.”

  “I’d like to see them, too.”

  “I know.”

  “They do love you, you know.” Charlotte liked Ben’s parents. She got along with them very well, but they tended to hurt Ben without even realizing it.

  He shrugged. “They just have a strange way of showing it. Anyway. Let’s not talk about them right now.”

  Charlotte was happy not to. She didn’t want to put a downer on things.

  He drove out along the old road by the river and pulled up under one of the big trees. “Do you feel like a walk?”

  She got out of the car with a smile. “I’d love to.” It was a beautiful night. The moon shone brightly, its reflection sparkling on the water. “It’s so good to be back here.”

  Ben put his arm around her shoulders as they walked. “It’s so good to have you back here. Part of me wishes we weren’t going away to college at all, that we could just get on with our life right here.”

  She turned to look up at him. “There’ll be plenty of time for that later. Aren’t you excited to go off out in the world and have some adventures first?”

  He gave her a rueful smile. “I know you are.”

  She laughed. “Too damned right, I am! I want to start figuring out where we’re going to go next summer.”

  “We’ll need to come here first.”

  She sighed. There he went again. “You’re not responsible for the resort yet, you know. Your mum and dad are still in charge of the place.”

  “I know, but they aren’t exactly doing a great job of it. Don’t get me wrong, we will go and travel, I promised you that, but I’m going to have to come and make sure everything’s set up for the busy season before we go.”

  Charlotte shook her head at him. “We’ll see. We don’t need to decide about it now.” She understood that the resort meant the world to him, and that he saw it as his future and his career, but she wanted him to let loose and live a little, too. She had nothing against the resort, nothing against the two of them settling down here—when the time came. But as far as she was concerned, the time wouldn’t come for many years. His parents ran the place, and while they did, she and Ben should be going off and seeing the world.