Out of Focus (Love in LA #3)

“Yep. That’ll do it. For now.” She unlocks her phone and opens the calendar app. “When can we get started?”

I groan inwardly, knowing this is going to completely suck, but also knowing that if this is what she wants, I’ll do it. “I’ll see what I can do to make something happen on Saturday. Are you free, then?”

She quickly adds in First date. Man TBD to her calendar and locks her phone. “As a bird. Date me up, Machado.” She wears a triumphant expression, and I laugh, though it’s completely forced.

“I’ll text some guys. I’m sure it won’t be a hard sell.” I throw her a wink, and her breath catches, eyes darting away as she bites her lip to hold back a smile. Fuck, yeah. “So, other than a restaurant, where do you like to go on dates? We should make sure you get to go somewhere you feel comfortable.”

“I feel comfortable on my couch in nothing but my old uni jumper, my favorite pair of panties, and long socks.” I choke on absolutely fucking nothing as Charlie keeps talking. “But since that’s not exactly ideal for a first date, I could settle for a quiet restaurant. Nothing too big. Somewhere where we can hear one another talk without having to yell.”

“Noted.” Wait, what did she say? I’m not sure anything made it into my brain after socks. “Anything else?”

“No. I like it when the guy puts in some sort of effort, but that’s hard to do when we’ve never met before, so I’ll keep expectations pretty low.” She shrugs again as I feel my face twist into a scowl.

“We’re gonna work on raising your expectations, carrot cake.” Her apartment building comes into view, and I’m kind of glad for it. I’m not sure how much more of this conversation I can take before I take over and show her exactly what effort looks like.

Standing in the same spot we were in a couple of hours ago, before emotional apologies and spilled coffee; I take in Charlie for likely the last time before I have to set her up on a date. She looks at ease, and the realization is comforting. I want that. I want her comfort and her unfiltered comments.

“Thanks for the walk. And the coffee. It was amazing.” She shakes her now-empty cup, save for a couple of ice cubes. “Text me when you have more details for Saturday?”

“Yeah, I’ll do that.”

“Great. Oh, and if you think of anything I could help you with, just let me know.” Right, because we’re friends now? She’s light as feather on her feet, waving as she walks away. “See you soon, Machado.”

When she’s out of sight, I look up at the sky, but there’s no smile on my face this time. Just a gigantic fucking boulder sitting in the pit of my stomach.

19/

wait, we never said anything about getting freaky.

rafael

I sent a text to a few of the guys I know to be pretty decent and who aren’t away on assignment for Aegis. A couple of them got back to me saying they’d be down. I definitely sold it by mentioning that Charlie is gorgeous and British, so I send Charlie a text with the news.

ME:

Got you a date for Saturday, Chuck. His name is Zach. He works for me, loves to surf, loves his mama (in that very Southern way of his), and he’s good looking enough. See?

I attach a picture of Zach that I asked him to send me. He’s obviously trying to impress Charlie already because he sent a picture of himself at what must have been a wedding. He’s wearing a three-piece suit and a big smile. He’s squinting, so it’s hard to see that he has brown eyes, but I don’t think Charlie will care about that.

CHARLIE:

Would it be weird to say I’m impressed by your set-up skills?

I type back quickly.

ME:

Oh, red, I have many skills. I just happen to know you like the clean-cut, preppy boys.

CHARLIE:

Oh, you think you know me so well, do you?

ME:

Uh-huh

CHARLIE: