I BLINKED. It was really Charlie. 

He was standing near the counter and checking out our collection of bestseller books there. 

He was wearing a black short sleeve polo shirt and faded jeans. His black hair was a bit longer than the last time I saw him. His skin got tanned. 

What was he doing here? 

All along, I thought it was Gideon. But of course, why would he fetch me when he won't come home to his house? Our house. 

"Oh, there's Bianca," Kelly announced on the counter. 

Charlie's eyes automatically snapped at me. "Hi," he greeted. A smile appeared on his face. He put down the book he...