Chapter Thirteen - Happy Birthday

Croodle:

(v.) To cuddle or nestle together, as from fear or cold.

(v.) To make a noise like a dove.

Chapter Thirteen - Happy Birthday

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"Why can't I do it myself?" Charlotte asks from where she's seated on the bed.

"It's only for two days, I can handle packing your stuff. I mean there's a toothbrush, your complete make-up bag, a pair of pajama's, some fancy clothes for the day and comfy clothes for in the evening. That's it right?" She doesn't say anything, but her eyes look just past me. As I turn around I roll my eyes at the sight of her passport.

"Details." I mutter as I pick it up and put it in the front of her suitcase.

Just when everything's done and ready the doorbell rings and Charlotte runs downstairs. I roll my eyes again as Jared's annoying voice reaches my ear, but I stay as calm as ever. With Charlotte's suitcase in my hands I walk down the stairs, but I'm confused as I see Grace standing there too.

"Grace, to what do I owe the pleasure?" I ask as I stop in front of her and Jared. Charlotte doesn't seem to be confused at all, but then again she still thinks that Grace likes her.

"Well I know you weren't planning on coming to the office today, but there's been a surprise visit of one of your ex-employees. The one you fired after that accident with mister Knight." I let out a sigh and rub my hands tiredly over my eyes.

"Will that guy ever just back off?" Charlotte shoots me a worried look and it's only then that I realize that she probably hasn't even seen the article yet.

"Everything alright?" She asks me with a concerned look and just for her sake I put on a smile.

"Yeah, it's fine. Go and have a nice conference sweetheart." I give her a small kiss on her lips and deep down I feel the same guilt as before. But it somehow becomes easier to lie to her and to betray her in this way. With a small nod of her head and an awkward wave from Jared they're off, leaving me alone with Grace.

"And what's the real reason that you're here?" I ask her as I close the door behind Charlotte's back. For a second she stares at me, surprised by the fact I figured her out.

"How exactly did you know that wasn't the real reason I'm here?" She asks me as she tilts her head sideways.

"You never come here when you're not sure if Charlotte will be home or not. And then again if you need me, you always call." She pouts a bit as she nods along, agreeing with my argumentation.

"Fair enough. The real reason that I'm here is because you can't come in this weekend." I roll my eyes and let a sigh escape me. I wasn't planning to go to work, simply because it's Evan's birthday tomorrow, but of course she doesn't know that.

"And why can't I?" While I'm asking her a question Grace takes an apple from my fruit bowl. She wipes it of on her shirt before taking a big bite. I raise my eyebrow at her, but she doesn't seem fazed.

"They're planning a full day of activities for tomorrow and I don't want to be there only to be forced to play games. So if you're not there, I don't have to be either." She gives me the biggest fake smile she can muster and I bite my lip in order to stop myself from laughing.

"Fine." She seems genuinely surprised by my answer, but as soon as it really registers she's out of the room.

"See you on Monday!" She screams as she runs out of the door. Well, for me it's a good thing that they don't expect me to come in tomorrow. So I'll just have to do some groceries and invite him to come over a little earlier. I take my phone out of my pocket and decide to inform him immediately.

To: [Evan Knight]

From: [Me]

3:46 p.m.

Change of plans. Tomorrow at two OK for you? X

With a bit of hesitation I add the x in the end and I am almost proud of myself as I hit send. I feel stupid as I let a smile appear on my face, I send a simple message how is this special? I roll my eyes at my own actions, but decide that ruining my mood isn't worth it. I can be proud of myself for this. I did a great job. I can't even remember acting like this when I was a teenager and now here I am, almost blushing over a text message I've sent.

To: [Me]

From: [Evan Knight]

3:51 p.m.

OK for me! X

The rest of the day goes by incredibly slow. Not only can I do nothing else than sit on the couch with some food and mind-numbing series. But I also can't think about anything else than seeing Evan tomorrow. He won't leave my mind and it's the most frustrating thing ever. Most of all because I haven't even thought about Charlotte for longer than a minute. And it makes me feel incredibly confused and guilty. She gives me everything; her love, trust and heart. And here I am going behind her back and breaking every promise I have ever made.

The moment I open my eyes a smile appears on my face. The knowledge of seeing him today makes me happy and it's strange. It won't even be long, no more than a few hours, but it's definitely enough for me. I would have liked to be able to see him longer, but it is what it is. Maybe it's good that Charlotte got promoted, because that gives Evan and me more time together. It's sad this is the way it has to be, but I am happy that there's still some way to be together.

After taking a quick shower and making sure I had a list of everything that needs to be bought I head out. It doesn't take long for me to get to the supermarket, but I am not used to dealing with busy Saturdays. Making my way through the aisles I constantly bump into familiar people whom seem to have this primal urge to talk to me while I'm sure I'm giving off the 'go away vibe'.

It takes over two hours for me to get everything I need and head home, but luckily I'm in time to call an Uber for Evan. As soon as everything is ready I start setting the table and laying out all the groceries that I need for tonight and at the last moment I remember to close all the curtains.

Just when I'm finished with cutting all the vegetables the bell rings and I let out a nervous breath. Just the thought of seeing him makes me all nervous, but happy at the same time. I walk towards the front door and open it without thinking about it twice. He looks perfect as always, but I stop when I notice the sweater that he's wearing. I look around for no more than two seconds before pulling him inside, shutting the door behind me immediately.

As soon as he's in front of me I hug him closer to me and I see the small blush on his face as I caress the fabric at the neckline of the sweater.

"Happy birthday. What a nice sweater are you wearing." I say with a smirk and he hides his face at my chest. I wrap my arms around him and rock us back and forth for a bit, not caring about the fact that he hasn't said anything yet.

"Thank you and I'm sorry if you don't want me to wear it. I still had it from last time and it's really cozy. I wouldn't have done it if I knew you wouldn't have liked it. I'm sorry I'll just take i-" I cut him off by pushing my lips onto his, enjoying the immediate response from him.

It doesn't feel weird anymore, to be so close to him and to feel so close to him. Not really in a physical way, but more in a mental way. I feel so close to him and it feels good. And it puzzles me that it feels so good, because I am not used to it. I have never felt so close to someone and it scares me. Not only because it'ss not accepted, but also because I feel the need to tell him everything. With Charlotte I can be as closed off as I want, as long as I give her the feeling she knows something. But with Evan it's almost impossible to not tell him about my fears and feelings.

Almost too soon for my liking we break apart and then that little part of Evan's sassiness comes forward.

"I take it you like it on me? Maybe I should wear your clothes more often if it result in this." His voice comes out half panting, but I let out a laugh nonetheless.

"I think you should too."

I would never have thought having dinner with Evan could be this much fun. It somehow makes me feel comfortable having him around me all the time. Knowing that there's a connection is nice, but actually feeling it is so much better.

A thing that I did learn from this date is that I should never make Spaghetti again on a date. I like that we can be so casual like right now. We are sitting at the kitchen bar, eating a plate of spaghetti, which turns out to be messier than I thought and just enjoying each other. It seems to be the most casual thing ever and that's what makes it so good.

My eyes widen when I hear the keys in the door and Evan's smile slips from his face. How can Charlotte be back already? This can't be happening right now. Unfortunately my thoughts are confirmed when a smiling Charlotte walks in, luckily without Jared following her.

"Hi babe, you're home early?" I say in the most casual tone I can muster and for a second I can see her surprise as she takes in Evan.

"Yes, the conference is canceled because the presentation maker got ill all of a sudden." She walks towards us with a confident stride, obviously she doesn't think anything special about this. It's a good thing that I didn't make it romantic looking. She walks right past me and towards Evan, who still seems too shocked to move.

"Hello there, it's nice to finally meet one of Alexander's friends. I'm Charlotte." Evan acts like nothing happened at all as he takes her hand in his and shakes it politely.

"Evan, nice to meet you too! I almost can't believe he never takes anybody home. An a-social workaholic like him must have thousands of friends." His joke comes out casual as ever and Charlotte can't hold back her laugh as she doubles over.

"Oh my, Alexander what a friend you have. I really like you Evan." I can see the uncertainty in Evan's eyes, but I know it's only because he's afraid Charlotte will find out.

"Well, I'm going to change in some comfortable clothing. It was nice meeting you Evan." A small nod is all Evan can give in return, but it seems to be enough for Charlotte.

As soon as she's out of the room Evan's whole expression changes to pure shock.

"She's beautiful." He says and I can't t help but give him a sad nod.

"That she is." I answer him.

"I'll be going now." He says and even though he doesn't sound sad or rejected, I can almost feel his fear. So all I do is give him a nod before taking him in my arms briefly.

"Thank you for the amazing night Alexander. I really enjoyed it even while it's cut short." I give him a small smile while looking over his face, slowly stroking my thumb over his cheek.

"Thank you for being such a nice guest." I answer and give him a small kiss.

With that our night ends and I am left with a sad feeling. Luckily I get a text not more than five minutes later.

To: [Me]

From: [Evan Knight]

10:46 p.m.

Thank you, see you soon X

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A/N: How emotional are you? DOUBLE UPDATE

I'm too! Please leave behind a comment and vote?

Words: 2072

~Noortje