Chapter 2

Laura could feel herself becoming light headed and pulled away from the kiss. She could see Charlie's eyes were fixated on her.

"Charlie, I…"

"Laura, look. I'm just gonna come clean with you."

"Oh."

"I like you, a lot actually."

"But what about Caroline."

"What about Caroline." He asked, confused.

"I thought you liked her."

"I do, as a Boss and Friend I like her, nothing more."

"I thought you'd be perfect together."

"Wait, me and Caroline. Laura, she's not my type."

"But I am." She asked, shocked.

"Well, yeah."

"But Caroline's young."

"So."

"I don't understand."

"Well it's quite simple Laura, I like you and I'd like to see how things might go with us."

"I'm old Charlie."

"Well maybe I like older women, besides, you're not the typical older woman, are you?"

Laura went quiet for a few moments, scared to speak any further.

"Have dinner with me, tonight." He asked.

"Dinner."

"Yes, We'll head out about 8pm. If that's okay with you."

"Okay Charlie, we'll go to dinner but don't get your hopes up."

"It'll try not too."

Laura walked into the kitchen that night to find Joanna and Tom at the table eating dinner. Joanna took one look at Laura and her mouth dropped.

"Wow, Laura you look amazing."

"You really scrub up well Gran."

"Tom, manners." Jo replied.

"It's alright Jo, men always speak before they think." Laura laughed.

"So Laura, where are you off to tonight."

Just as Laura was about to speak, Charlie came through the kitchen door, dressed in his smartest suit. Jo looked between Charlie and Laura and then it clicked with her.

"Wait a minute, are you two going out on a date." Jo asked, surprised.

"For your information Jo, yes I'm taking Laura out to dinner."

"Way to go Charlie." Tom piped up.

"Thanks buddy. So Laura, ready to go."

"Ready." She smiled.

They were just about to head out when Caroline came through the door, carrying her briefcase.

"Hello all. Sorry I'm late, traffic was a nightmare. Oh, Mother, you look gorgeous and Charlie, I don't think I've ever seen you in a suit before."

"First time for everything Caroline."

"So, where are you two off too."

"I asked Laura out to dinner."

"Oh, I see. Well, have fun."

Caroline smiled at them and walked through to the livingroom. Laura gave a small smile to Charlie before following Caroline through.

"Caroline, wait."

"What is it Mother."

"About tonight."

"What about it."

"You are okay with it, aren't you."

"What, you and Charlie. Ofcourse, why wouldn't it be."

"Well, I just thought that, well…"

"Mother, you don't think I feel anything for Charlie, do you?"

"Well I did wonder, when I brought him here I thought that…"

"Wait, you didn't hire him in the hope that something might happen between us over time, did you."

"Maybe."

"Oh Mother, really."

"Okay so I was wrong. I'm sorry."

"So, he asked you to dinner."

"I don't understand why he asked me."

"Well why wouldn't he. You're a beautiful woman, vibrant. You have men of all ages running after you. I sometimes get very jealous of you."

"Really. Oh Caroline, I wish you would get out more, meet someone who could make you happy. Someone a hell of a lot better than Michael."

"Yes Mother I know. I'll try okay, now come on, you and Charlie will be late, go."

Laura gave Caroline a hug and left with Charlie for the evening and hoped she wouldn't regret dinner with Charlie.

To Be Continued…