Where did your heart go? (The Heart Trilogy Book 1) (50 page)

We both laughed a little more as each of us tried to decide who would say goodbye first.

“So goodbye then” he said
.

“Bye James, I’ve enjoyed talking to you” I replied
.

“Me too, it’s almost like old times” he murmured “I still love you” he finished. His voice trailed off as I paused, not sure if I was ready for the love word yet.

“I’m still thinking” I replied “Take care” I finished. Then the line did go dead.

Finishing my glass of wine I lay back and closed my eyes. My heart and body were telling me that I had to go back. My mind was still trying to put the breaks on the situation and reminding me of how it all finished last time. In the background Rick Astley sang.

             
“When I fall in love, it will be forever

             
Or I’ll never fall in love”

Chapter 60

Once Julia had left Charlie headed back to her room and put her laptop computer on and headset so she could talk too and see Mitchell at the same time. She quickly checked her hair and make up in the mirror before settling down and waiting for him to come online. All of a sudden his face filled the screen in front of her.

“Hi Baby” he said
.

“Hi Mitch” she replied “How are you”

“Missing you like crazy, what about you?”

“Same here” she replied, watching him on the screen and wishing she could reach out and run her fingers down his face.

“You’re looking hot as usual”

“You too, what have you been doing all day?”

“Last couple of days at college, will be finished on Thursday. How about I come down Thursday night and then we head back up here on Friday?”

“Yes
that sounds better than waiting until Friday morning” Charlie replied

“It means we get another night together” he murmured. His naughty grin spread across his features.

Charlie grinned back and licked her lips while she tried to decide what to say next.

“Will you stop doing that” Mitch said.

“What” she replied.

“Licking your lips like that it’s driving me crazy here”

“Sorry. Just watching you on the screen is turning me on” she replied. She could feel the tingle starting to spread through her body.

“I just want to stay online all night until you go to bed” Charlie murmured.

“Yes me too, that weekend spoilt us” he said.

“Yes, my bed feels so empty without you” she responded.

“My whole life feels empty without you” he replied.

They both paused for a second and drank each other in. Charlie even reached out and touched his face on her screen. Mitchell noticed and did the same too.

“I wish I was really touching you” he murmured.

“Me too” she sighed
.

“I’ve been watching the film of us dancing, it’s like watching magic” he said.

“I’ve been listening to the soundtrack all day as it reminds me of us” she replied.

“Well there are plenty more dances for us to learn” Mitch said
.

“I’m your willing pupil” she replied, smiling. He watched it light up the screen.

“I’m going to have to go now, just heard Dad get back with some food for tea” Mitch said reluctantly.

“Ok Mitch, drop me a text when you get to bed” she finished.

“I will, how could I forget” he replied.

“Catch you later, honey”
Charlotte finished.

“You too, Baby”
he said, blowing her a kiss. She pretended to catch it and then blew him one back before the screen went blank.

Slowly she undressed and jumped beneath the covers, the sheets felt cool on her hot skin. Grabbing the pillow she pulled it close as if it was Mitchell, but it was no substitute for the real thing. Later on her phone beeped and woke her from the light sleep that she had fallen into. It was a screen filled with kisses. She sent him one back but finished her last line with z’s.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday passed as normal. My secret admirer had disappeared from the radio station text machine and I wondered whether he would still turn up for our blind date in just over a week’s time. Since the announcement on Monday ticket sales had doubled and we were almost at the sell out point. Jack, Paul, Ian and I were due to get together on Saturday afternoon at my place as we needed to meet up with the company providing the stage, lighting and sound on the river and walk though the set up which was due to begin the following Wednesday. Charlie was hanging around at home in between continuing her dance class as they prepared for Rock on the River. They had decided to learn something new in place of Umbrella as they didn’t want to tempt fate on the day with the weather. They had chosen “Troublemaker” by Olly Murs.

As Charlie returned from practice on Thursday afternoon she headed straight into the kitchen to find me.

“Hi Mum, is it ok for Mitch to stay tonight, he’s heading over once he finishes college” she said.

“Yes, no problem” I replied, looking up from my laptop as I continued to finalise plans for the following weekend.

“What are you up too?”
Charlotte said, peeping over my shoulder

“Just trying to finalise the line up and running order for the event” I said.

“Oh, I can see we’re going to be doing Dirty Dancing before Rick is on” she exclaimed.

“Yes I’ve tried to space the dancing out in between the bands as
it gives the stage time to clear and the next band to set up. There will be a dance floor set up just in front of the stage for you guys” I replied.

“I’m really
looking forward to it, our new dance is going well” she finished, heading upstairs

“Just jumping in the shower, Mitch should be here
at around six thirty” she said “And I’d better tidy up my room a bit”

I watched her disappear from view and head up the stairs. James and I had dropped each other a couple of texts each day, but with him working nights they had been very sporadic. I had to admit that I was looking forward to talking to him on the phone on Friday night. Leaving my laptop I headed for the fridge and popped some lager in and pulled out the salad, chicken and jacket potatoes that I was going to do for tea. Looking up at the clock, I heard Charlotte returning downstairs looking pretty in one of her sundresses, even though there was no sign of any sun outside. Just then we heard the sound of an engine coming to a halt outside in the driveway. I watched my daughter head through the front door like a bolt of lightening.

When they eventually appeared in the kitchen, Mitchell was carrying a wrapped up box.

“Hi Stephan
ie, Dad sent these over for you” he said. I reached and took the parcel off him and put it down on the side.

“Do you want a drink?” I asked
.

“Sounds good, but I’ll go and get out of these leathers first” he said. He looked across at Charlie and grinned.

“I’ll help you with your bag” she said “We’ll be down in a bit, what’s for tea”

“Chicken, jacket potato and salad” I replied. She nodded and I listened to their footsteps on the stairs. I turned to the carefully wrapped box and pulled off the bow. Inside was a selection of old fashioned sweets including Love Hearts. I smiled as I spotted a note slipped into the bottom

             
“Steph, I hope you still prefer sweets to chocolates? Managed to find the Love Hearts and they reminded me of the Valentine Card you sent me. I still remember the way that you asked me to reconsider going out with you. I loved your honesty and courage in expressing your true feelings for me back then. This time it’s my turn to ask you to reconsider and take me back into your heart and your life?

             
Love you more that you can know

             
              James x”

I smiled and re-read the note again. James was definitely trying very hard to seduce me. I pulled out the roll of love heart sweets and opened up the packet to look at the words on the first one. It said ‘Be Mine’ and I smiled before popping it into my mouth. Could I be his again? My heart was already telling me yes, I just needed to be sure that I could trust it. I picked my phone up off the side and typed out a quick message.

“Love the present very much and believe me I’m still reconsidering your proposal x”

I pulled another sweet out of the wrapper and looked at its message and it said “Take a chance” it was like they were talking directly to me. I used my camera on the phone and took a picture of it and sent it over to James with a further message.

“I think the sweets are talking to me. The first one in the packet said ‘Be mine’ and the second one says ‘Take a chance’ how strange is that!!”

Returning to my cooking I waited for a while and sure enough my phone bleeped to alert me of a message.

“Perhaps they are Steph, I hope they are x”

As the c
hicken was nearly cooked I prepared the salad and placed it on the table along with a bottle of beer for Mitch and some wine for Charlie and I. Setting aside the box of sweets I grinned again as I wondered what the next sweet would say later?

“Tea’s ready” I shouted up the stairs as I waited for them to surface from Charlie’s room.
Upstairs Charlie dumped Mitch’s small overnight bag on the floor and turned to find herself in his open arms.

“I’ve missed you” he breathed, as his lips trailed down her cheek to her upturned lips. Charlie just kissed him back as she felt her legs already starting to qui
ver from the feel of his touch. She helped him out of his leather jacket and ran her fingers over his t-shirt that clung to his chest. He helped her to pull his protective trousers off and then she stood back and just enjoyed the view. Before they could get carried away any further they heard her Mum shouting “Tea’s ready”

As they headed downstairs Mitch followed Charlie and enjoyed watching the natural sway of her hips in the short flirty sundress she was wearing. He had to admit that he was looking forward to removing it later. But he found it wasn’t just the thought of making love to her that appealed to him, it was the whole package. He knew that he could lie next to her and really talk about things that mattered in his life and listen to her hopes and dreams too. In the kitchen I took in their smiling faces as they sat down at the kitchen table next to each other, so close that they were almost touching.

“So what was in the parcel?” Charlie asked. I motioned across to the box of sweets on the side.

“Ooooh sweets” she said, leaving her seat to look inside “I’ve never heard of some of these” she said, holding up a tube of Love Hearts and a couple of drumstick lollies “Can I try them?”

“After tea” I replied, looking over “But the love hearts are all mine” I finished. I felt my cheeks colour with a faint hint of blush so I turned back to the pan with the chicken in it.

“I wondered why Dad looked so happy the other day when he was ordering them online, they must bring back happy memories” Mitch said.

I turned round and smiled at both of them “Yes they do” I said. Serving up the food we all sat and ate together. I gave them the run down for the Rock on the River event for the following Saturday.

“Yes, we’re going to have to find some time for a bit of practice” Mitch said
. “Our group are doing a new dance too as well as Thriller” he finished.

“What song?” Charlie asked, between mouthfuls
.

“
Suit and Tie by Justin Timberlake. In fact I might need a female dancer for part of it, do you know anyone?” he asked.

“Me of course, I’ll do it” Charlie said, beaming at him “It’s a fantastic tune” she finished.

“Well I guess I had better cancel auditions tomorrow evening then” he joked.

“You bet” Charlie replied. I smiled at their infectious enthusiasm.

“There’s some ice cream in the freezer” I said, as I cleared the table.

“Thanks Mum, maybe later” she replied, standing up and grabbing Mitchell’s hand

“I think Mitch needs to tell me about this new dance I’m going to have to learn in just over a week” Charlie said.

“Thanks for dinner Stephanie, can I help clear up?” Mitch asked.

“Thanks but I can manage” I replied. Knowing they would much rather spend time with each other rather than with me.

I cleared up and then grabbed the rest of the open packet of Love Heart sweets a
nd together with a glass of wine I headed into the lounge to see what was on television. Passing through the hallway I could already hear the music coming from Charlotte’s bedroom. I settled down in my favourite chair and scanned the channels but there was nothing on so I looked through my DVD collection and found Cocktail and decided that I just needed some light hearted romance to keep me company.