Perfect Match
Chapter 7
Charlie arrived home in an extremely good mood. Upon meeting her sister in the lounge, she swept her up in her arms and gave her a big hug.
"Charlie!" Ruby laughed in surprise. "What's your game?"
"Pleased to see you!" Charlie smiled, keeping her arm around her sister's shoulder.
"Can't think why!"
"Neither can I... Doesn't matter though!"
Charlie almost skipped through to the kitchen and switched on the kettle.
"Can I have a cuppa tea, please?" Ruby yelled from the lounge.
Immediately, Charlie was transported back to The Diner and replayed the moment when Joey scolded her tongue on the hot tea. Her mind started to imagine what Joey's tongue was like and how it would feel against her own skin, when suddenly, her mobile phone bleeped a message. It was Aden.
'Thanks for your help today. Joey and I will take you and Ruby out as a thank you. (Joey's treat! ha! ha!) Aden.'
Charlie grinned at his 'charm' and wondered what Joey would have to say about it. Her heart soared at thoughts of the girl whom she had spent the afternoon with at The Diner. They had drunk numerous cups of tea and coffee, and eaten several muffins. They each spoke of their families, friends and what they used to hate as children. The afternoon had eliminated any uncomfortable feelings which had lingered after the Bait Shop incident; neither alluding to it again. Both had giggled like teenagers over the silliest things, even keeping tabs on Colleen who bustled in and out with cakes, beverages and meals; noting down on a white, paper serviette how many times she had irritated patrons or listened and butted into their conversations.
Ruby sauntered into the kitchen; yawning.
"What are you grinning at?" She asked when she noticed Charlie with a smile on her face as she absently stirred the tea.
Charlie jumped.
"Nothing!"
"You are too! You have the sappiest smile on your face ever! Hey! You haven't arranged to meet up with your girl on the dating site, have you?" Ruby suggested, eagerly.
Suddenly, Charlie fell back down to earth with a bump! She had completely forgotten about the dating site after her wonderful afternoon with Joey, and she was due to send Browneyes123 a message! Her heart sunk. What could she say to this lovely, but faceless girl? After spending the entire afternoon with Joey Collins, Charlie was now in some danger of becoming far too interested in her and not just as a friend! Her beautiful large brown eyes and cute nose made Charlie's heart beat with much vigour and the attachment she felt to her new friend was rapidly turning into something far more intense.
"There must be something! You're radiating good humour by the bucket load, Charlie!" Ruby said as she picked up her tea cup and wandered off back into the lounge.
Charlie swallowed. She bit her lip and looked anxiously towards her laptop. She would have to answer the last message left by Browneyes123 and try to keep things casual. But hold on a moment! What was she thinking of? At least Browneyes123 was a gay girl looking for love; what was Joey? Charlie had no idea if Joey had a boyfriend hidden away somewhere; though she had not mentioned him before. But for all she knew, it could be Aden Jefferies! But then, why did Charlie keep getting the feeling that Joey was more interested in Charlie than she let on? The way she looked into Charlie's eyes and hung on her every word; the way she touched her hand or arm whenever there was an opportunity; the way she managed to give Charlie goose pimples whenever she spoke.
Charlie ran her fingers through her hair anxiously. She felt guilty and worried. She had been corresponding with Browneyes123 for some weeks now and up until today, Charlie had been planning to suggest they released their photographs to each other or even meet up. She now pushed these thoughts to one side.
"God! I feel like I'm two-timing her!" She whispered to herself.
She reluctantly lifted the lid on the laptop and logged on.
Joey Collins sat on the sofa looking at the computer in the corner of the room. She wondered if she might have received a message from Blueeyes000, but somehow hoped she had not. Her mind was in turmoil. After having spent a delightful afternoon in the company of the most beautiful woman she had ever set eyes on, how could she face a message from someone, though incredibly nice, somehow couldn't equal Charlie Buckton. She sighed deeply and rose from the sofa. She walked reluctantly over to the machine and her finger touched the switch, but somehow, she could not depress the button! Instead, she hastily grabbed her mobile phone and headed out to the beach.
Charlie re-read Browneye123's last message.
Hi Blueeyes,
I so look forward to your messages! It makes me glow from within. As I go about my work, I often think of you and wonder where we might be this time next year!
My friend, (who is a man) has helped me to find a boat which I am so excited about. She needs work done to her urgently and so I won't be able to take her out into the ocean yet a while! There are many holes which need plugging and the sail is rather tatty, so will need lots of attention! Are you any good with a needle and thread? lol. She does have a name already; 'Moonlight' but though this is a very pretty name, I have decided to rename her in your honour; 'Blueeyes'. I hope you don't mind! Maybe when she is ship-shape and Bristol-fashion, you'll allow me the pleasure of taking you out for a sail, though I fear this may be some time off yet...
Charlie smiled and sighed. Reading Browneyes123's heart-warming message again, her heart turned inside-out and she momentarily forgot Joey Collins.
"Shit! What a mess I've got myself into!" She cried, exasperated.
"What mess might that be?" Leah asked as she struggled through the door, armed with six bags of heavy shopping.
"Hey! Let me give you a hand!" Charlie said, instantly rising and taking some of the bags from Leah.
"Oh, thanks Charlie! My goodness, the supermarket was busy today! Are you in for a meal this evening?"
"Errrr, no. I had rather a lot of cake this afternoon and I don't really fancy anything at the moment."
"No worries. I'm doing a curry, so there will be some left over if you fancy a snack later." Leah said as she started to unpack her bags.
"Leah?"
Leah looked up at Charlie; still holding onto the shopping bags.
"I've met someone I like, but there's someone else I like too and I can't make up my mind!"
Leah grinned.
"That's so unlike you, Charlie!"
"Okay, I'll admit; making decisions, at the best of times, has me struggling, but I really don't know where to go with this one!"
"Are either of these guys anyone I know?"
Charlie's face turned scarlet.
"Well, actually Leah..."
Joey Collins had walked the entire length of beach and back, but still felt as confused over Charlie Buckton and Blueeyes000 as when she ventured out of the house. Both these girls were so nice. Her attraction to Charlie was physical; Charlie had a beautiful face, was tall, slim and elegant. She had expressive blue eyes that twinkled each time she laughed and darkened every time she was mad. When Charlie's eyes looked into her own, they made her feel special, as if she thought only of Joey and no one else! But then Charlie was a straight girl and there was nothing Joey could do but to sigh with sadness that she could never have such a prize as Charlie Buckton. But then, why was it Charlie gave the impression there was more to her feelings than mere friendship? The way she spoke with Joey was flirtatious; the way her eyes burned into her own was something she had never experienced with another straight girl before. The way Charlie had tucked a strand of Joey's hair behind her ear, was not the action of a new friend; it was the act of someone who wanted to be closer.
"Shit! What a mess I've got myself in!" She cried, exasperated.
"So, let me get this straight..." Leah said; pouring out another glass of wine. "You have totally given up on men?"
Charlie licked her lips apprehensively. The question made her feel as if she was giving up on a basket of new born puppies without a mother.
"I guess so." She said, swirling her wine around in the glass. "I've had doubts for as long as I can remember."
"And Ruby knows?"
"Yeah. She's fine with it... What about you?" Charlie asked, looking up quickly at Leah.
"Charlie, love; even if I had a problem with it, it's none of my business! But as it goes, I'm pleased you have told me and I must say, you've been a different person recently. Even VJ commented about it a few nights back!"
"Really? Am I normally that awful?" Charlie asked, with a grin.
"No, but you are inclined to be... let's say, a little intense at times. VJ picks up on that stuff, you know."
"I'm sorry." Charlie said quietly. "I must have been a barrel of laughs to live with!"
"You were fine; don't fret!" Leah smiled affectionately.
She took down some plates from the rack and placed them on the table ready for dinner.
"Are you sure I can't temp you?"
"In what way?" Charlie asked with a grin. "Are you offering yourself to me, Leah?"
"CHARLIE!" Leah cried and swiped her with the oven glove.
After spending thirty five minutes staring at a blank computer screen, Joey Collins took courage and logged onto the dating site. Immediately a message pinged onto the screen making her heart beat a little quicker. She had at long last made a decision; Charlie Buckton was off limits. She was a straight girl and far too beautiful and successful to have anything to do with a mere gay deck hand. Therefore, Joey would concentrate all her energies on Blueeyes000 and avoid Charlie Buckton as much as possible!