Chapter Seventeen

Charlie and Joey sat side by side in the cinema. It was not lost on Joey that Charlie had headed straight for the back row. And both remembered the first time they had been to the cinema together. It was after they had got together for real but Joey hadn't known about Hugo. They'd gone into town for dinner and a film and to this day, Joey still had no idea what had happened at the end. Or the middle. Or the beginning. It had turned into a heavy make out session and they had skipped off merrily home for a glorious night of love making. It made Joey both happy and sad to think about that week. She'd been so delighted every day that week. She'd been elated to know that Charlie loved her. But she also felt like a fool for not figuring Charlie's infidelity out sooner. She couldn't look back on it without feeling sad over what she had lost and upset at the way Charlie had lied to her for all that time. Still, they were working things out now. They were learning to be friends and starting afresh. Joey turned and smiled. Charlie smiled back and settled the box of popcorn in between them so that they could share.

Halfway through the film, Charlie and Joey were enjoying themselves – half because of the antics on screen and half because, popcorn now discarded, they were holding hands. Charlie felt thrills shoot through her every moment that Joey played with her fingers. It reminded her of that day on the boat when it had taken everything Charlie had not to kiss her. She knew now though, that if she could, she would go back and take that moment with her whole heart. She would realise then just how incredible Joey was and just how lucky she was to have her. She'd lean in and kiss her and stop wasting time. Glancing down at their hands, she smiled as they continued to stroke each other's skin. Heart racing, Charlie glanced at the silhouette of Joey's beautiful face. She smiled at the way Joey wrinkled her nose when she laughed, creating dimples that Charlie found adorable. All she wanted to do was kiss her. She could almost feel her warm lips. She could almost taste her. She coloured when Joey turned to look at her, smiling softly.

"The screen's that way," she said, pointing.

Charlie blushed more and struggled to shift her expression. She took a deep breath and retained hold of Joey's hand. Joey watched Charlie concentrate on the film and couldn't quite help but admire her. She asked herself for what felt like the millionth time, why she was making them wait. She didn't want to be friends with Charlie. She wanted them to be girlfriends. But she was afraid of getting hurt. She was afraid of Charlie not being ready. Shifting a little, she rested her head neatly against Charlie's shoulder. Charlie smiled and put her arm around her and immediately used to other hand to continue to hold Joey's.

After the film, Charlie took Joey home. They'd held hands for the rest of the film and walked out of the cinema together in the same fashion.

"Do you want to come up for a coffee?" Joey asked when Charlie pulled up outside.

"That'd be lovely," Charlie said.

They climbed out of the car, resumed their hand holding and headed up to Joey's apartment. They wandered straight into the kitchen and Charlie took a seat while Joey made their drinks.

"Thanks for a lovely night," the younger girl said sweetly. "And for indulging me in the movie."

Charlie grinned.

"As long as you enjoyed it," she said.

"I did! I loved drunk Charlotte."

"Yeah, I heard you giggling away," Charlie said.

She too had found the scene particularly entertaining. Joey presented her with her coffee and led the way into the lounge. Settling themselves on the sofa, neither woman could stop those old feelings resurfacing, the same way they did every time they were together.

"So, what happened to you?" Joey asked.

She was still concerned over the fact that Charlie was limping.

"I had a fight with a desk," Charlie said.

"A desk?"

"Okay, with Angelo. He kind of picked my desk up and tipped it and I ended up underneath."

Joey frowned. The more she heard about this guy, the more she didn't like him.

"Bastard!" she squeaked.

Charlie sighed.

"I deserved it," she said.

"You deserved to get crushed by a desk?" Joey exclaimed. "I don't think so!"

"Come on, I'm sure you wanted to do something bad to me when I..."

Charlie trailed off unhappily.

"I'd never want to hurt you, Charlie," Joey said sincerely. "No matter what. And I don't like the idea of someone else hurting you either. You should make a complaint."

"I just want to forget about it," Charlie said. "Things are shit at work with Angelo but at least I get to spend my downtime with you. That makes me happy."

They smiled at each other.

"Hey, um, what's the plan for Monday?" Charlie asked.

"Monday?" Joey wondered.

"The court case," Charlie said. "I booked the week off work so I could support you."

Joey beamed at her, overwhelmed with gratitude.

"I don't know if you already have someone but if you don't, I'd happily pick you up and bring you home again and stuff. I'd like to take care of you if I can."

"That would be really nice, Charlie," Joey said. "Thank you."

One hour later, Charlie knew she had to make a move and head home. She had one more day left of work before she had the week off to be with Joey. Standing at the door, they held on a little too long as they hugged each other goodbye.

"See you Monday morning," Charlie said.

Joey nodded and thanked her again.

"And thank you for a wonderful evening," Charlie added. "I really enjoyed myself."

They hugged again and simultaneously placed kisses on each other's cheeks. Clinging on for a few extra moments, they parted and Joey watched Charlie head down the stairs and to her car.