Chapter Twenty Five

The DVD had been humorous and with an extra couple of glasses of wine each, Charlie and Joey were definitely relaxed.

"Wow, I didn't realise what the time was," Charlie remarked, glancing at her watch.

It was hours past ten o'clock.

"Yeah, the movie was longer than I thought," Joey said, stretching and yawning.

"I'd better go home," Charlie said, standing up.

Joey stood up too and the women gazed at each other for a long moment.

"I don't want to go home," Charlie admitted unhappily.

Joey wasn't sure what to say. Her impulse was to tell the truth – she didn't want Charlie to go home either. Their day together had been perfect and she never wanted it to end.

"I love spending time with you, Joey," Charlie said earnestly. "I'm so glad that I'm allowed to do this again."

Without thinking, they reached out and held hands.

"Plus, I don't want to go back to that house knowing what Ruby will be doing in her bedroom."

Joey managed a smile and squeezed Charlie's hands.

"It'll be okay," she said. "And we can hang out over the weekend or something if you like?"

"Spend the night with me," Charlie suddenly begged.

Before Joey even had time to answer, Charlie had swooped in and kissed her.

All of Ruby's friends had gone home, aside from Xavier. With Leah home and in bed, the teenagers sat next to each other on the couch.

"I'm not sure I want to do this anymore," Ruby admitted.

"Ruby, I said I'm sorry for what happened..." Xavier ventured, full of disappointment.

"I know but..."

She sighed.

"I'm not sure I'm ready after all."

Joey jerked back in surprise, although the sensation of Charlie's lips pressed against hers was not altogether intolerable.

"Sorry," Charlie managed. "I screwed this up again, didn't I?"

"No," Joey assured her, pulling her to sit on the sofa. "I just... can't."

"But it was good between us, wasn't it?" Charlie asked hopefully. "Physically, I mean?"

"It was amazing," Joey agreed.

"So, we could have that again. You don't have to love me, Joey. You don't even have to like me. I just want to be with you. I..."

She trailed off anxiously.

"Charlie, if something were to happen between us then it would have to be real," Joey said honestly. "I couldn't..."

"You could," Charlie interrupted. "You can do whatever you want with me. You can use me. I don't mind. I want to be with you. I don't care how. I need you..."

Joey held onto her hands again, making eye contact.

"I would never, ever use you," she stated firmly. "I could never do that to you, Charlie. I respect you too much. I care about you."

"But if I'm offering it on a plate..."

Joey shook her head.

"I know I've hardly been a saint these last few months but I vow to you right here, right now that I never want to hurt you again, Charlie," she said. "I'll be your friend, I'll support you, I'll spend time with you but I'm not doing this, okay?

"It doesn't have to mean anything to you..." Charlie persisted weakly.

"It would only complicate things," Joey told her. "I'm not prepared to do that."

Charlie nodded, sighing heavily.

"I still don't want to go home," she said sadly.

Joey smiled gently. Standing up, she led Charlie to her bedroom.

Xavier and Ruby lay in bed in each other's arms. They had decided not to have sex. The party hadn't gone to plan and Ruby was desperate for it to be perfect. Instead, they'd got into their pyjamas and curled up together beneath the blankets. They cuddled by lamplight and drifted off to sleep feeling content and loved.

Charlie and Joey lay in each other's arms. It was oddly familiar and definitely comforting, although a little strange. Joey cuddled Charlie from behind, keeping her close. Of all the things she had imagined happening tonight, sharing a bed, however platonically they convinced themselves it was, hadn't been an option.

"Thank you," Charlie whispered into the dark. "Thank you for saving me when I don't deserve it."

"I'll always save you, Charlie," Joey promised.

Next time... everyone wants to know where Charlie and Joey stand with each other – including them!