Chapter 5

The next few days went by in a blur. TAI indeed worked them hard. Ellie was eager to have the fun that Christine promised reinserted into their days. It was announced that TAI would be taking them salsa dancing on Friday night after the final training day. Ellie was momentarily disappointed as she had been looking forward to watching a real flamenco show as was previously promised but she brightened when Charlie gave her a huge grin at the announcement.

Charlie hadn't asked her to dinner again. Ellie had seen him in training the next morning (he had missed breakfast again) and their conversation was easy. Every day he sought her out at break times, smiled at her, touched her arm to get her attention, and was his charming self. He also talked to most of the other girls in the program, though she liked to think it wasn't with the same enthusiasm and smile. Ellie just didn't know where she stood. She felt ridiculously juvenile, wishing she could know his thoughts about her.

Friday finally came and Ellie made her way to the cafeteria to find Charlotte sipping her coffee. "You're up early," Ellie remarked, surprised the normally bleary eyed Charlotte looked awake. She sat down and buttered the toast she'd just prepared.

Charlotte ran the fingers of her left hand through her long blond hair while she gestured with the coffee mug in her right hand. "And a pleasant good morning to you," she replied.

Ellie eyed her suspiciously. "And chipper. What's up?"

Charlotte looked like the cat that swallowed the canary. She took another sip but couldn't hide her enormous smile. "Bruce Wayne is coming for a visit."

Ellie spit out her bite of toast. "Batman? What are you talking about?"

Charlotte giggled. "Sort of. My sometime boyfriend, aka Skype booty call. I nicknamed him Bruce Wayne. On our first date he pulled up in the awesome, tricked out black car. Like the batmobile," Charlotte explained, seeing Ellie's incredulous face. "And he was wearing this dark grey suit and skinny black tie... Anyways, I thought he was this suave and wealthy powerbroker." She snorted. "As we're driving to the restaurant he let me know that he borrowed the car from a friend because he didn't own a car." Ellie raised her eyebrows as Charlotte continued, "Turns out he's super into reducing his carbon footprint and only owned a bicycle. He works for a non-profit that fights coal extraction. So long story short, I call him Bruce Wayne because of the car and his deception." She smiled to herself.

Ellie laughed, picturing Charlotte's madcap lover in a suit on a bicycle. "Was the suit borrowed too?"

Charlotte giggled. "Nope. It was his. He cleans up real nice." She elongated real nice and Ellie smiled at her obvious affection for the man.

"Wow, so Bruce Wayne is coming to Madrid?"

"Yep, for a few days next month. I'm trying to talk him into more but he can't afford the time off of work."

"How long have the two of you been together?" Ellie still wasn't sure the nature of Charlotte's relationship with Bruce Wayne.

Charlotte bit her lip and sighed. "Together is such a complicated word."

"A story for another time?" Ellie asked, her interest piqued.

Charlotte nodded and grabbed for the other half of Ellie's toast. "It's a continuing saga," she replied dramatically. "Speaking of people's love lives, how's yours?"

Ellie frowned. What was there to say? It had only been a week. Should there be more going on? She decided to be candid. "I honestly don't know. He is attentive and sweet and I think he likes me but he acts this way with all the girls."

An orange slice came hurtling through the air at Ellie. "You sound like a lovesick high schooler. All the girls," she mocked Ellie, shaking both of her hands in the air. "You're what, 26 or 27?"

"Thirty," Ellie said mulishly.

Charlotte eyed her for a moment, one eyebrow raised before launching into her rebuke. "Even worse! Anyways, you're older than 16; you are a woman and he is a man."

"Your point?" Ellie asked, sulking. She poked at her own orange slices not wanting to look at Charlotte.

"I forget. I think I was just chastising you for using the term "girls"."

Ellie looked up and nearly burst out laughing. The act was immediately checked when she remembered they were discussing her reaction to Charlie and his attentions to other women - no, other girls. "Girls is an acceptable term to use for a group of women, regardless of age," Ellie said defensively, doggedly returning to Charlotte's diatribe.

"I'll consider it," Charlotte said, grabbing an orange slice from Ellie's plate.

Ellie stuck her tongue out at Charlotte. "So what should I do?"

"About Charlie?" she asked, shrugging her shoulders. "Simple. Grab him and kiss him."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Right."

"Why not? I kissed Bruce before he could kiss me. Sometimes a girl has to take matters into her own hands."

Ellie munched her toast contemplatively. "I've never done that before," she said thoughtfully.

"Really?" Charlotte spit out some coffee.

"Hey!" Ellie rose to get some napkins.

"Sorry! No one, really? Have you ever asked a man on a date before?"

Ellie pursed her lips. "No."

"You have dated someone before, right?"

Ellie huffed, unsure if she should be insulted by the question. "Yes!"

Charlotte narrowed her eyes. "Ellie, how long has it been since you've dated someone?"

The questions had gone unanswered earlier in the week. Ellie's pulse raced. Why was this so hard to admit? She was dying to talk to someone but it was just so embarrassing. A thirty-year-old woman should have a history; stories to tell. A thirty-year-old woman should be the voice of experience. "It's been five years," she said primly. Ellie watched under lowered lashes for Charlotte's reaction.

Charlotte's eyebrows raised sky high. "Five?" she confirmed. "Years?"

Ellie nodded, her discomfort growing. "He was a long-term boyfriend. We were together since college."

"Okay, I can understand some delay after the end of a serious relationship, especially if it had a messy end." Ellie nodded, memories of the smashed video game console filling her head. "A story for another time?" Charlotte asked. Ellie nodded again, afraid to speak. "Okay, so there was this messy man and no one since. Were you a serial dater before Messy Man or have you always been more the committed type?"

"Committed," Ellie said vaguely. Charlotte stared at Ellie, making her even more uncomfortable. Discomfited, Ellie thought. Discomfiture is very appropriate for how I feel.

"Are you, young Ellie, not too experienced?" Charlotte asked shrewdly.

Ellie wished the world would open up and swallow her. She appreciated the word young as she felt as old as the hills these days but it was true. She was no virgin but she was no worldly woman. Ellie squared her shoulders and said, "not too experienced."

"Hmmm... Well, first of all, that's nothing to be ashamed of. I am swimming in experience but there's also a name for us 'well-qualified' ladies that isn't acceptable in polite conversation." Ellie smiled weakly. She noticed Caroline and some other women enter the dining hall. "We can talk more later about this if you want or if you'd like to keep it to yourself, mum's the word and we never have to bring it up again. I will say, however," at this she lowered her voice, "go for him. Don't be chicken shit because these bitches, especially that skinny bitch over there," she pointed at Caroline, "have their eyes on your man. If you leave him alone they will swarm, I promise."

Caroline walked up to their table. "Hi Charlotte, Ellie." She turned to Ellie. "Have you seen Charlie this morning?"

Charlotte raised her eyebrows and inclined her head toward Caroline. "Not yet," Ellie said. "He's not really a morning person."

Caroline nodded. "Me neither. I guess we're both more of the night owl type. That will help tonight for Salsa dancing. You know, we won't even get there until close to midnight." She pouted. "Poor you, Ellie. You get tired so easily. Are you really going dancing tonight? Maybe you should stay home."

Ellie's hackles raised. "I'll be there," she said sweetly. "No need to worry about me." Caroline nodded curtly and walked towards the coffee maker. "Skinny bitch," Ellie growled and Charlotte nodded reverently.

"Are you going dancing tonight?" Will asked Ellie during their first break.

"You're the second person to ask me that," she replied, eyeing Charlie who was talking to Caroline and Louisa, another woman in the program. Collins was leering at the two women from a few feet away. Will followed her eyes over to Charlie and the women. "Does everyone think I can't handle one night out?"

Will started. "Did Charlie say that to you?"

Ellie was confused and looked back at Will. His eyes were narrowed and she saw emotion in his eyes which were normally guarded and nearly expressionless. "No, Caroline. Apparently she assumed I would skip dancing because I get tired so easily."

Will blinked several times, his shoulders relaxing. "Well you do, right? Get tired easily, or early rather." Ellie was about to spit back a retort when Will held his hands up. "I get tired early too. I'm more of a morning person like you."

Ellie paused, swallowing her anger. She nodded, slightly defeated. "I do get tired. I just don't want to miss out on anything, you know." She looked over at Charlie again.

"I know," Will said quietly.

By Friday, Ellie had stopped being surprised by Will's sudden appearance and entrance into her conversations. When she had caught him staring at her in training she was extremely uncomfortable. And she noticed he often addressed her directly when there were several people around her. But then they had been paired in Spanish class and had spent two afternoons getting to know each other through a series of questions. So far she had learned about Will's hometown, favorite foods, favorite teachers (of course), and best birthday present as a kid.

Ellie liked Will. He was reserved but started opening up as they traded stories in halting Spanish. She watched him interact with the other teachers and to her he just seemed painfully shy. Caroline labeled him a creeper, which was rich since she had gone out drinking the last few nights with Collins who seemed to be the ultimate creeper. Charlotte deemed him "super attractive but awkward" and Ellie agreed about the awkward part.

Ellie and Will found common ground in tripping over their Spanish during their first class. Ellie confessed in a whisper her fear that her Spanish wasn't good enough.

Will nodded sympathetically. "I understand. I felt that way last year. I'm a bit more comfortable this year but still have fears that I'm going to say the wrong word or verb tense."

Ellie nodded vigorously. "Me too. I can freeze up with solely the fear of saying the wrong tense. If I just got my sentence out they'd probably figure out what I'm trying to say."

Will smiled. "Well, you and I can make a pact to just spit it out. No worrying that we're saying the wrong thing. Just talk."

"A good start to any relationship," Ellie had quipped. She blushed at her own words and how they might sound. She liked Will but didn't want him to get the wrong idea.

That evening Ellie dressed with extra care. She hadn't decided to be so forward with Charlie as to kiss him but she needed to protect her territory. Charlotte came over to approve her outfit. "Do you have anything shorter?"

Ellie balked. Her red dress already hit well above her knee. "No, and don't you dare say I am a prude. No panty flashing for me, thank you very much. I'm not that desperate."

"Panties?" was Charlotte's only response. Ellie rolled her eyes, touched up her mascara and grabbed a small purse. "You look hot," Charlotte said. Ellie skewed her mouth and rolled eyes. "I'm serious. He won't keep his hands off of you." Ellie smiled at the thought of Charlie's hands on her body.

Charlie looked delicious. He had worn black slacks and a white button down, short sleeved Cuban style shirt. The top two buttons were unbuttoned and his hair was slicked back. Everyone looked like fancier versions of their work-selves and Ellie felt sexy for the first time in a long time. She had let her hair air dry and it had formed some corkscrew curls which she had pinned back in a few places but mostly left wild and messy. She had retained the red dress and was wearing black, open-toed heels. Charlie had complimented her when they met at the base of the stairs and had escorted her to the Metro station.

Ellie's hand twitched as she sat next to Charlie on the metro. They were going more towards the center of town to a club called Azúcar. Charlie's left hand lay dormant on his thigh as his right gesticulated as he relayed a story to the group. The air was electric. Everyone was ready to celebrate finishing their week of training and let loose before school was in session. His hand is so close. Ellie was going distracted.

"Are we too old for this?" a woman named Melanie asked, cutting into her thoughts.

"Hell no," shouted Charlotte and a few other people.

"How old are we?" she asked again.

"Combined?" Will quipped dryly. He was also looking nice in khaki pants and a red collared shirt. His buttons were not unbuttoned. There was a general laugh as people shouted out their ages. The group ranged from age 24 (Richard, a.k.a. Trouble) to 56 (Collins). Most were in their late twenties and early thirties.

"Ah, to be young," Melanie, age 45, said.

"Age is just a number," Collins said. He had his hand on Louisa's thigh as he said this. Louisa, age 28, didn't scold Collins or brush away his hand. Ellie turned to share a look with Charlie but he was engaged with Caroline. She looked across the aisle to the other seats and saw Will with his eyebrows raised. She inclined her head towards Collins and raised her eyebrows and bugged out her eyes. He tried to hide his smiled and then mouthed, "I know." Ellie smiled, happy someone was able to share in her gross out.

Azúcar was loud with pulsating Latin beats. TAI had paid for a private section for the new teachers and they all settled in and placed drink orders. "Two on us and any more on you," Will announced.

Ellie admired the creamy brown leather seats of the banquette. She had never been in a private area of a club before. She shook her head. It was high time to have some new experiences. "Are Christine and Carmen coming?" she asked Will who had drifted over to her side.

"Nah, we flipped a coin." She arched her eyebrows. "Truly," he said. "Carmen's the most likely to be up for this but she had plans and Christine is busy with... married stuff, I guess."

Ellie giggled. "Married stuff?" she asked. Will was rubbing the entrance ticket to Azúcar in between his thumb and middle finger and Ellie was distracted by the action.

"Whatever married people do, I guess."

A few people from their group went out to dance right away. Truth be told Ellie was uneasy. She hated dancing in public, especially somewhere like this. The combination of the tight space on the dance floor and dark lighting made her anxiety kick into overdrive. Caroline had grabbed Charlie's hand and dragged him onto the floor before the drinks arrived. Ellie watched them through narrow eyes, sucking down her Cuba Libre a bit faster than she ought. "Do you want to dance?" Will asked her.

She snorted and said, "No." Will's face fell and she reached out to grab his sleeve. Damn it, Ellie. You've hurt his feelings. "I didn't mean no to you. Honestly, I don't dance. I mean, I can dance. I don't like to dance in a place like this. In front of people. Around people. The crowd, the noise. Am I making sense?"

Will laughed. "I think so. If you decide to dance, at all, think about saving one for me?"

Ellie giggled. She felt a little light headed from the downed Cuba Libre and jealousy towards Caroline. "Sure thing."

Caroline had Charlie out for two dances and when they returned Ellie was expecting her second drink at any moment. She had been conversing with Melanie and Will about the different museums in Madrid. Charlie was about as far away from her as possible, retrieving his drink from a long narrow shelf against the back wall. She raised her eyebrows as he gulped his beer and laughed at something Caroline said in his ear. She had her tiny hands wrapped around his large bicep. He gave her a guilty shrug as Collins cornered him and Caroline tightened her grasp and leaned into him. Ellie scowled. Her drink arrived, a second Cuba Libre, and she took a long swig. "Will," she said loudly, interrupting his conversation with Melanie.

He looked up at her startled. "Yes?"

"I'd like to dance now, please." She rose, reached a hand out for his and practically dragged him to the dance floor.

Will stood unmoving in front of Ellie, unsure of what to do. Ellie giggled at his unease. "You put your hands here," she grabbed his left hand and put it on her lower back, "and here," she grabbed his right hand in hers. "And I put my left hand here," she said, placing her left hand firmly on Will's shoulder, near his neck. She was positioning them closer than two platonic dancers might be but she was pissed and wanted to show that skinny bitch that she wasn't intimidated. And part of her wanted to show off for Charlie. She hoped he was watching. She hadn't looked yet because she was staring into Will's eyes. He looked terrified. "It's okay, little boy, I won't hurt you." The alcohol was definitely having an effect. She drank so little that every little bit was fueling her inner voice to come out. Will's eyebrows raised slightly and she felt him grip her waist. She was startled momentarily by the current that traveled through her body at his increased grip and stared into his eyes, wondering at the meaning. Ellie soon remembered that they were standing stock still while the music was playing and quickly said, "Ready?" He nodded and Ellie led them through a simple Samba.

Will was not a great dancer but Ellie had fun. She laughed as he bumped into another couple and apologized, in English and then remembering himself, in Spanish. He reached for her after the apology to resume dancing and she felt again that unfamiliar jolt of feeling. I'd better get back to Charlie, fast, she thought. Evidently five years is too long. I'll be making passes at Collins, next. The thought made her giggle and soon she was struggling to dance.

"Are you okay?" Will asked as he led her off of the dance floor.

"Yes," she said gasping. "Something funny." She saw his face fall again. "Not you," she said loudly. She leaned in to speak into his ear as he music was so loud. "I had a great time. Thank you for dancing with me." She gave his hand a squeeze before dropping it to rejoin the group.

Charlie was not talking with Collins or Caroline when Ellie entered. He wasn't anywhere to be seen. She walked over to her half-finished drink as Charlotte grabbed her arm. "Ow," she complained.

"What's with the sexy dance with Boss Man?" she hissed.

"What's with you and nicknames?" Ellie asked grumpily.

"You told me that you nicknamed Richard "Trouble" so don't start. Anyways, you're changing the subject. I thought you were here for Charlie."

Ellie looked around, still not seeing Charlie and briefly making eye contact with Will. "I am," she hissed back at Charlotte. "Charlie danced with Caroline, I danced with Will. Big deal."

Charlotte looked at her wide eyed. "It is a big deal. Some of the other ladies were watching you dance. They seem to think you and Will are in to each other."

Ellie was alarmed. Had she gone too far? "Well, we're not. It was one friendly dance. End of story."

"Were you actually a part of that dance? You were staring at each other. It looked pretty hot from here."

Ellie looked around again for Charlie and again locked eyes with Will. She momentarily lost her breath as he smiled at her. Swoon. What?! How much have you had to drink? Stop it. Concentrate. "I only danced with Will to make Charlie jealous. He danced with Caroline and I couldn't sit there anymore."

"Well, he left the lounge area here while you were dancing and isn't back. Go find him. Ask him to dance." Ellie nodded and turned to leave. Charlotte grabbed her wrist and drew her close so she could whisper in her ear. "Good plan, by the way and damn good dancing. You actually made Will look like he could dance." She winked at Ellie who walked out of their lounge and off to search for Charlie.

She found Charlie at the bar waiting for his beer. "Hey Charlie," she said nervously. His smile widened as he recognized her.

"Hey Ellie. I was hoping you'd come find me. We've been missing each other tonight."

"Like two ships," Ellie quipped.

Charlie nodded and held his beer out to her, "I ran out of my free ones." Ellie nodded, unsure of what to say. It was awkward and the words were not coming easily. "Want to dance?" he blurted, turning red. She smiled and nodded. "Ok, let me put this in our room." They walked over to their lounge in silence, the music blaring and Ellie lost in her thoughts about Charlie. He walked over to the shelf, put down his beer and then reached out for her hand. As he took it Ellie impulsively searched for Will. His eyes were locked on hers as she felt Charlie tug her gently out of the area. She broke his gaze and followed Charlie to the dance floor.

Charlie was a decent dancer. Ellie was surprised to have him keep up with her. He held her the same way that Will had and she did feel... something as he got his hands in place. They danced easily, both smiling at each other, for two dances until Ellie decided she needed a break. Charlie was immediately claimed by someone else and Ellie got asked to dance by another man at the club. She declined, claiming fatigue, and the man looked disappointed.

"You're in high demand," Charlotte purred. "I love it." Ellie rolled her eyes at her friend. She had tried not to look for Will but couldn't help but search the small area. "He's dancing with Melanie," Charlotte explained.

"Who?" Ellie asked casually.

"Who you're looking for," she replied smartly. "Though, a piece of advice from a more experienced woman. If it has been five years start with one, honey. You don't need to be chasing two young men at once."

Ellie blushed in the dark room. "I'm not chasing two men."

"Sure, whatever you say." She motioned to Ellie to lean in. "We all saw you dance with him."

Charlie came and sat down next to her after his latest dance. Ellie had been troubled by Charlotte's observations and had sat by herself, avoiding dancing and conversation. Charlie nudged her shoulder. "What's up?"

She smiled wanly. "Nothing much, you?"

"Let's go talk, outside." Her heartbeat quickened as she grabbed his extended hand and followed him toward and exit door. It was colder than she expected outside and Charlie rubbed her arms as they spoke. "I like you, Ellie." At those words Ellie sprang to attention. She looked up into Charlie's beautiful blue eyes. "I'd like to continue to get to know you and I was wondering what you'd think about that?" Ellie was confused and her eyes reflected it. "I'd like to date you, Ellie," he clarified.

Her heart lept. She nodded slowly, unable to speak. He smiled. "Can I take that as a yes, you're interested in me?"

Ellie flushed, embarrassed. She didn't want so much said, and drawn out of her, but at the same time it was gratifying to hear him lay it all out there. "Yes," she said.

Charlie released a breath. "Good, I'm glad." She watched him for a few seconds before realizing what he was about to do. His lips met hers as he stooped down to kiss her. She froze for a second before nervously meeting his kiss. It wasn't a long or involved kiss but he broke apart saying, "Maybe we could go out on Sunday. After the trip to Toledo?"

Ellie's voice cracked as she answered. "Sure."

"I have to talk to you," Ellie hissed in Charlotte's ear after she and Charlie returned. Charlotte nodded and pointed towards the restroom. "Later. At home," she hissed. Charlotte nodded. Ellie desperately needed a consult. She closed her eyes to gather her thoughts and when she opened them Will was standing there.

"Another dance?" he asked.

Ellie wasn't sure what compelled her to accept. She vaguely wondered if she should and if Charlie would be angry. She couldn't imagine him being angry at anyone. More than anything she felt the dance would give her a chance to think about what just happened. She was surprised when Will grasped her waist and hand, ready to dance. "You remembered," she murmured approvingly.

"Yes," he said in a low voice. She looked up into his eyes, again feeling a lock as if she couldn't look away. She forced herself to look anywhere but at his face and managed bare civilities as she wrestled with her tumultuous mind. As they parted a few minutes later she felt Will's questioning eyes but wasn't even sure what she would say if compelled to answer.

Charlie and Charlotte approached her, sitting in the corner after her dance with Will. Her mind was racing. I agreed to go out with Charlie. I want this, right? "We're taking off," Charlotte yelled over the music.

Charlie reached out his hand to help her up and didn't let go of her hand as they exited the club. Ellie was hyper aware of this gesture. She looked up at Charlotte who smiled and winked. As Charlie handed her into the taxi she heard him say to someone, "Thanks for a great night, man. We had fun." She couldn't hear the response as Charlie slid in next to her and shut the door but she knew it was Will he was thanking. Why did that make her feel worse? Charlie pulled her close and talked over her head to Charlotte who was recounting her dance with an animated Spaniard. Ellie pretended she was asleep so she wouldn't be required to join in but her mind was troubled. She couldn't wait to talk to Charlotte.

Charlie walked her to her bedroom door. She panicked as he leaned in to kiss her again. She closed her eyes and tried to relax. Ellie, get a grip. Charlie's tongue teased her lips and she clamped down, sealing her mouth off to him. Raucous laughter forced their separation and he looked at her mouth for a moment before speaking. "I'd better get going," he said huskily. "See you tomorrow." He turned and walked towards his room as people spilled into the corridor. Charlotte was one of the people. She motioned her into her bedroom and closed the door.

"I was kind of hoping to discover you indisposed at the moment. Is Charlie hiding under your bed? Charlie, Charlie," she drunkenly called.

"Shush," Ellie hissed. "He's not here."

"So, it happened?" she said, setting down on Ellie's bed and absently playing with the buckle on her shoe. "How is he?" she asked looking up at Ellie.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Charlotte giggled. "Fair enough. It has been five years for you and the question generally means how is he in bed," Ellie blanched, "but as you and I are in your bed right now and I rode home in the taxi with you I know nothing has happened in that department. Right?" she asked, looking at Ellie, her eyes wide.

"Of course not. Where did you go after the taxi, by the way."

Charlotte grinned manically. "I dilly dallied with the boys downstairs to give you two enough alone time together. Was it enough?"

Ellie blushed again. "Yes, it was enough."

Charlotte whooped and jumped off the bed. "I knew he was in to you. From that first day I could just see it in the way he looked at you. He is such a cute puppy!" She sat back down and looked at Ellie intently. "Tell me everything."

Ellie shrugged. "He kissed me. It was okay."

Charlotte frowned, her shoulders slumping. "Just okay?"

Ellie nodded. "What's wrong with me Charlotte?" Ellie felt the stress of the evening begin to crumble her reserve. Her eyes pricked with tears.

"Ah, honey, don't cry. It wasn't bad or anything, was it?"

Ellie laughed weakly. "No, it wasn't bad. I'm pretty sure that most woman would rate him an excellent kisser. He did this thing with his tongue..." Ellie flopped over and screamed into her pillow. "Why am I telling you this?"

"Because that's what girls do. Didn't you say you have a sister?"

"I have two, actually. Jane, I could tell this to, but I never got a chance. She was off and married. And Lydie... We don't really see eye-to-eye with men. And she's a lot younger than me."

"Well, feel free to say whatever comes to your mind." Charlotte patted her thigh. "But back to the subject at hand. Maybe it was just awkward because you heard us coming up the stairs. We weren't exactly quiet."

"It could be that." Ellie sighed, feeling drained. "No, it can't be," she said shaking her head. "When he kissed me at Azúcar I felt the same. Meh."

"He kissed you at Azúcar?!"

"Shush, Charlotte! Indoor voice please."

Charlotte looked perplexed. "You came back after dancing with him looking distressed and so I was convinced nothing happened. I just thought you were down on yourself for not making a move on him when you had a chance." Ellie shrugged. "Or that you decided that you were into Will instead." Ellie froze as Charlotte inspected her. "You were doing some pretty dirty dancing and you danced with him a second time."

She didn't want to talk about Will. She had been pushing images of Will out of her mind since they had left the club. The final straw was imagining what his lips would feel like on hers. "It's not Will," she said firmly. "It's me. What should I do?"

"Do you like Charlie?"

Ellie thought about it. Charlie was a sweetheart. "Yes, I do. He asked me to go out with him on Sunday and I think I should go and see what happens." She looked to Charlotte for reassurance.

"Yes, I agree. Go out with him and see how you feel. Maybe it's just been too long and your body and your brain aren't communicating properly or something." Charlotte got off the bed and walked to the door. "Find me Sunday night. I want a full report." Ellie nodded. "And Ellie," Charlotte said, her hand on the doorknob, "don't worry about this. I'm sure it will all happen the way it's supposed to."