I Could Get Used to This

There are a couple of adult words in this story.

Copyright 2026 by drunkwombat

*****

Alan and I flew into Orlando and picked up the rental. Soon we were cruising along on the hour long trip to Melbourne, table flat Florida sliding past us. Alan's aunt had decamped for New York City now that it was Spring leaving her 3000 sq ft house untenanted. She offered the use of it to Alan and he in turn invited four of us to spend a week with him there. We all knew him from the Sunday afternoon board game meetup at his apartment.

Alan wore glasses, had light hair, was close to six feet and had a personality as big as all outdoors. He was generous and the most non-judgmental person I'd ever met. Alan had done a lot to get me through my divorce over the last two years. He knew things about me no one else in the world did and I never worried about him breaking my confidence.

Me? Average with dark hair cut short, an inch or two shorter than Alan in height and there was two pounds of weight that refused to budge. I'd lost a little since I split from the ex which surprised me because I was so much more relaxed now. I figured without the anxiety revving my system I'd pack on a few pounds. I wanted those two gone on principle.

"So, how's your psychotic ex, Robert?", asked Alan.

"Not psychotic, sociopathic. The first doesn't know they're doing wrong, the second doesn't care. Second year in a row with the taxes thing, second year I threatened her with small claims court and she wrote me a check."

"Did it bounce?", Alan asked.

"No. There are actually things she's scrupulous about. Doesn't include keeping her legs together or her mouth shut but... sorry about that." I still get bitter. Sometimes a vivid imagination is a curse.

"All good. It takes years to get over that stuff. Give yourself a little more time, she doesn't matter anymore. Enjoy being master of your own fate."

"Oh, I do", I smiled. And I did, not being chained to an emotionally abusive fidelity challenged control freak does wonders for your mental state.

"Good. Oh, Calvin and Bev texted me while we were waiting for the car. They're at the house, got in just fine." He'd given them the door codes. "And Charlie was refueling in South Carolina? Doesn't matter, she's still on track to make it by dinner."

Calvin and Bev married about three years ago. He was a big guy, pushing six feet, pleasant and uncomplicated. His wife mirrored him in physique but was a smaller version, about five-six. Both were blond, he had a close cropped beard, her hair was long. She was more of a talker then he.

Charlie, never Charlotte, had dark hair, shoulder length, was slim and possessed great looks. She wasn't model pretty but she didn't lack for attention. Charlie had this quality about her, perhaps accessible was a good word? Her looks hadn't gone to her head. And she was easy to talk to, intelligent, possessed of a lethal smile.

The couple had decided to fly direct to Melbourne on some dodgy discount airline. We'd decided to pass on that. Charlie was driving the fifteen, twenty odd hours herself; said she'd been jonesing for a road trip. She did not view road trips as a forced march so she had started yesterday and stopped halfway. Charlie was an... intricate topic.

*****

We met at a Sunday afternoon game session and over time got to know each other. I was enjoying being master of my own fate, as Alan called it, so I didn't go beyond friendly with her, at least initially. A year passed and while I still valued my independence, I was lonely. But truthfully, I didn't think I could manage a relationship, be one half of a couple.

Time passed and I of course reconsidered. I concluded that maybe a little romance in my life was needed, or at least desired. Every week, Charlie and I caucused in Alan's kitchen, pilfered snacks and talked. It didn't take a rocket scientist to put two and two together. So, we gave it a try.

*****

"You think we should pick up groceries on the way in or do it tomorrow?" asked Alan.

"On the way in, that way we've got nothing hanging over us. And you can cook your steak." I couldn't help but smile. Steak a la Alan was his signature dish; it was all in the secret recipe seasoning of course.

"You do know I was going to make it sometime this week, right? And Charlie doesn't eat meat?"

"You're thinking of Beth, she's the vegetarian. I've seen Charlie demolish a bacon cheeseburger with extreme prejudice. I have no idea how she keeps her shape."

Alan simply smiled at that.

"What's that look for?", I asked.

"I remember a time not too long ago when you wouldn't have said something like that."

"Tell me I'm wrong."

"You're not wrong. She's a good looking woman. And you're tap dancing."

"I'm divorced, not dead and I've got eyes."

"There was also a time not too long ago when you were 'dead'. I'm glad to see you've shaken it off."

"Yeah, I don't know. We had two dates that went nowhere."

"I've been telling you, it was too soon. You two are a good fit, it wasn't something wrong with you. That's the last of your ex talking."

He had a point, a point I had to relearn after those dates. I watched more landscape roll by. Something occurred to me...

"Alan, are you trying to put the two of us together this week?"

"All my encouragement aside, no. I wouldn't do that to you. That's something the two of you have to arrive at together, it can't be forced."

He appeared to be debating with himself.

"I'll say this just once."

"Yeah?" He'd piqued my curiosity.

"It's not that you could do worse than Charlie. It's that you couldn't do better. End of sermon."

******

The thing about it was that I'd had Charlie on my mind a lot lately. I wondered if it wasn't worth asking her out again but I didn't want to risk a third strike. I still had nagging doubts about the whole relationship thing. Still, that desire for a little romance remained and she checked every box for me.

Alan may not have been setting us up but I did have a whole week during which to spend time with her. Not a formal date but one long casual Sunday afternoon. I thought of the possibilities, keeping them modest.

Then I had a surprising thought; I wasn't foredooming myself. The old me would have. In spades.

*****

The house did not disappoint. It was single level, had four bedrooms and a kitchen/dining room/living room combo that rivaled most apartments in size. I stowed my stuff in the front bedroom and we all repaired to the back patio where we broke out the alcohol.

We talked about our respective trips down before the subject of how we'd spend our week came up. Not surprisingly, Cal and Bev were going to virtually live at the beach. This was a second honeymoon for them; they'd spent their first in the Caribbean.

My plans were more fluid; I figured I'd get to the beach at some point, play tourist at the Kennedy Space Center and have some do nothing days at the house. And I knew Alan would whip up a few things. Unvoiced of course, was spending time with Charlie.

Alan's plans shifted with a phone call. An old flame of his was a pilot, flew 777s for American. She was going to have a few days off in Miami. He was headed down tomorrow morning. There were a lot of elbow nudges and eyebrow wagging at this new development.

"You don't mind me taking the car?", he asked me.

"No, go ahead. If I need one, I'll ask Charlie because your rental car will be permanently at the beach." The last was said to the faux newlyweds and drew laughs. It occurred to me that Charlie and I would potentially have the house to ourselves. I pushed one particular idle thought away; there was nothing modest about it at all. Or realistic to be honest.

*****

Alan started preparing dinner and Bev joined him helping. Calvin lounged on the ridiculously comfortable sectional flipping through 500 channels; he landed on a test match between Sri Lanka and Australia. Cricket bore little interest for me so I wandered about the house almost restlessly.

The front door chime went off.

"Hey?", came a voice I instantly recognized.

"I'll get it", I said hustling to the door.

Peeking around it was Charlie, smile in full view. Something hit me like I was mainlining sunshine and puppies. I hadn't felt this good in years.

"Hi Charlie", I said, pulse rate up.

"Robert!" She stepped in and hugged me. The hug was longer than normal, maybe?

"How was the drive?", I asked.

"Went quick. I did a speed run after clearing Jax." She had a mischievous expression on her face.

"You've got to watch that", said Alan coming from the kitchen. "About 25 minutes South of Jacksonville they regularly run speed traps." More smiles and he got a hug too. It was step and repeat when Calvin and Bev got there.

"Eh, I just drive a little slower than the cop bait."

I caught Charlie's attention.

"Keys? I'll get your bags."

"Thanks, but they're on the stoop."

She smiled again, pleased with my thoughtfulness. Charlie got vectored to the bedroom more or less across from mine and announced she would get changed and come join us. Apparently, it had been cold and damp when she left NC in the morning so she'd worn jeans.

There was nothing particularly noteworthy about the tank top and shorts she wore. Except that she was in them. It's not like I hadn't seen her dressed like that before but I was acutely aware of her; it baffled me, the sudden switch. And I had no idea what to do in response, quite how to act. The last thing I wanted was for things to get awkward, especially while we were all spending the week together.

Catching up with the rest of us, Charlie said she hadn't planned what to do much beyond the next day. Which was to laze around, read, get some sun.

I was distracted the rest of the night. It would be just us in the house tomorrow.

*****

Alan got an early start for Miami and Cal and Bev had already left for the beach by the time I got up. I had the place to myself. OK, not really.

I got coffee going and pulled out the things I'd need to make breakfast. And then put the perishables back in the fridge. I needed to wait for Charlie, where was my head? Not long after she wandered into the kitchen, in a long loose tee shirt and what might have been boxers, it was difficult to tell. She looked relaxed, happy. My internal reaction was not as intense as yesterday. Maybe it was a fluke?

"Thought I smelled coffee. Morning, been up long?" Charlie parked herself on a stool at the kitchen island.

"Nope, how'd you sleep?"

"Great. Nine hours driving and then staying up till all hours will do that, I guess. You?"

"Pretty good. Your coffee... "

"Black please. Made to order breakfast by any chance?" She'd seen the ingredients on the counter, was playing coy. For a second I thought she'd bat her eyelashes.

"Yes Miss, whatever you want, I like a challenge."

"You do?"

"No, I'm just being nice." I couldn't keep a straight face. "Yes, anything you'd like."

"Make you a deal, I cook breakfast for you tomorrow?"

"Deal. And getting ahead of ourselves, how'd you like to make dinner together tonight?" It wouldn't be the first time, we both liked to cook. I always had but I took a few courses after the divorce in order to stay busy and maybe meet people. Charlie came from a big family. Every once in a while we'd bring something homemade to gaming.

"Ooh, sounds good. What'll we make? And do we consult Cal and Bev for their input? I'm thinking we need lots of carbs for them."

I threw a questioning look at her.

"So, they can load up. I'm betting they get busy again tonight." Big smile.

I laughed. "You do share a wall with them, don't you?"

"Fortunately, I could sleep through the apocalypse."

"If you want, I'll trade rooms with you."

She waved me off.

"I'll let you know but I don't think it'll be a problem."

We batted around what to make for dinner while we ate, in case something needed to be prepared in advance. Ultimately a stir fry was chosen; Alan and I had picked up a selection of fresh veg. Eventually she and I ran out of coffee.

"I'm gonna load the dishwasher and then take a shower", I said.

"And I'm gonna go put some clothes on, get out of my PJs", she replied hopping off the stool. I watch her pad away.

*****

I contemplated regular breakfasts with Charlie while in the shower. I missed some of the simpler bits of life, like lazy morning coffee. Talking to each other in bed at the end of the day. Long tee shirts over boxers.

Charlie came bustling along in my direction from the kitchen. She was wearing her black one piece and shorts. Again, it wasn't like I hadn't seen her in a swimsuit before, I'd spent a day next to Les' pool with her during the BBQ. I'd noticed her at the time but I hadn't noticed her. Like I was now.

Having everything switched back on after more than two years was off-putting. Before that it had been years since I saw anyone but my ex in that light. Sure, attractive women caught my eye but there were only two that ever truly held it. One had been struck from the rolls, the other a very recent addition. Part of me had come to believe I couldn't ever feel like that again.

One tenth of a second had passed.

"Hey!", said Charlie cheerfully, still in full bustle.

"Hi", I said simply.

She went by me into her bedroom, emerged a moment later with a beach towel.

"Come on Fish Belly White, get some Sun with me."

*****

Charlie was filling a water bottle from the fridge when I hit the kitchen. I looked her up and down in profile. It was like being at the door last night. I couldn't say that I hadn't felt like this since I was a teenager because I'd never had that experience. Closest I came was dating the ex over a decade ago.

Obviously, I hadn't dated anyone in a long time. (Well except Charlie, if two dates counted. Did they?). If circumstances had been different, I could see myself pursuing Charlie but I'd surely be dating above my weight class. And would she even be interested after our two misfires?

I was totally distracted by her looks. I was like a dog chasing a car; I'd possibly caught up with romance and I didn't know what to do with it. My brain couldn't process it all. Frankly it hurt.

Charlie gave me a hip check to get my attention.

"Hello? Earth to Robert? What's going on in there, you look like you're doing differentials in your head."

"Oh, nothing, just blanked a moment."

"OK, see you outside."

Charlie dragged a lounge chair into the Sun and shucked off her shorts.

*****

Alan's aunt had quite a few books in the house, fortunately in a wide range of genres. I unfairly assumed they'd all be romances or something. By chance I selected a murder mystery, same type of thing Charlie had brought with her.

I discovered that I'd read five pages, have no idea what they said and have to go back. Sometimes twice. It was futile. It was of course because I was checking out Charlie from top to bottom, front to back. She obliged by rolling over from time to time. Her suit was neither dull nor daring. Twice she had to repeat something she said to me. At one point Charlie caught me averting my eyes.

"It's OK you know, the suit's meant to be seen." The coy in her voice was back.

I made noises saying I knew and complemented her choice of it. Then I dithered around till I got up to get more water for both of us.

"You, OK?", she asked after I came back, her voice a touch concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine just... brainless today. Probably the Sun."

Her brow furrowed but Charlie returned to her book.

*****

Things were easier prepping dinner, at least at first. Stir fry takes a modicum of effort with the peppers and veg to be cut up so I put my focus on that. At one point Charlie and I raced each other, with safety well in mind, cutting up carrot's chef style. We exchanged grins after. She whipped up a "special sauce" she'd developed with much trial and error in the past. I think she was just throwing things together myself.

There's this kind of thing we do sometimes, a sort of casual hello we'd adopted at Alan's. It wasn't intended to be intimate. At least historically. One of us would rest their chin on the other's shoulder, observing what the other was doing. Charlie walked up behind me and did it. And held it longer than normal, head a little closer to my neck than usual. The image of her kissing me there flashed through my brain. (Vivid imagination, remember?)

I thought I'd startled slightly, I didn't know how to react, before suppressing it. I knew she was there beforehand; she hadn't snuck up on me and she knew it. How much Charlie picked up on my reaction was unknown to me although she seemed distracted for a little while after.

The repeat newlyweds got back from the beach so some of my excess headspace got taken up being social. It was a welcome break.

Later the four of us enjoyed dinner together. Cal and Bev seemed to be eating a lot of rice. Charlie caught my eye, arched an eyebrow and I joined her in a smirk. After that I was much more myself and she and I joked back and forth like we did.

*****

The marrieds had called it a night leaving Charlie and I together, sitting outside by the fire pit. The only light was from the fire. No one would say it wasn't romantic. We each had a drink to hand and I'd probably had had a little more than I should have. I was working up the nerve to say something, test the waters, maybe apologize for the thing between us in the kitchen earlier.

Charlie was the one to broach the subject.

"What's up Robert, you've been distracted all day. And I... uh, don't quite know what's going on, you're acting like you're uncomfortable around me. You never have been before. Did I do something?"

I gave myself a beat, taking a sip of my drink. I smiled, not looking directly at her. What the hell.

"Other than exist, nope you haven't done a thing. 'Uncomfortable' is a good word,"

Charlie caught my tone, it was pitched as a lead in. She leaned toward me, fully concentrating. I looked into her eyes.

"Yesterday when you got here... It was great to see you; I'd been so looking forward to it."

She looked pleased. Then she had a questioning look on her face that said "So, what's the problem?"

"It was the first time I ever... noticed you." My gaze dropped again and if anything, my smile grew from nervousness. I'd committed myself.

"'Noticed? I'm not sure what... oh, 'noticed'", realization was plain on her face.

"Yeah. All the times we've ever been around each other before it never happened.

"First time since the divorce?", she asked me.

I nodded.

"And maybe only the second time in my life like that, that intense."

Charlie was clearly surprised at my confession, maybe flushed? I kept going.

"I thought about you a lot before coming down here. At the door when you arrived I felt something I haven't in a long time. And then I passed you in the hall this morning and it happened again. I already know what a great person you are, you're the whole package, and on top of that when I saw you, how you looked... uh, my brain went away." I was entirely self-conscious, wondered if she could see me blushing in the low light.

Her entire body relaxed.

"Oh, thank God. Robert... uh... it's mutual. I've been thinking about seeing you, being with... uh, around you this week a lot. I didn't know how to approach it, how it might turn out. I tried not to get my hopes up, you know, there were those dates. Then I met you at the door and... I saw everything I hoped for reflected in your face. And it felt good."

"Then today I dropped the comment about looking at my suit and that shoulder thing we do during dinner prep, I saw your reactions. I wondered if I'd been too flirty, got kind of worried, and questioned myself. Wondered if I got it all wrong somehow. I'm so glad I didn't."

Charlie paused for a moment, the Smile lit up her face.

"And now I find out you think I'm all that. Which does not feel bad."

I laughed and commented, "I'm sure it's not the first time someone told you that, or something like it."

"First time it was someone who mattered, really mattered", she said.

Wow.

I felt obligated to let her know what she was getting herself into.

"Uh, Charlie, you know bits and pieces but there's more to my story. My life was a mess; well, you know that. My ex fucked around on me. My self-esteem was garbage. I felt stupid on so many levels, doubted my judgement. I closed myself off. I... I don't even know what I'm trying to say."

"I think you're afraid you'll revert to the old you, all the old habits. Think that you're not good enough. Maybe hurt me. That might be why our dates didn't work; performance anxiety because they were formal, real dates. We'll deal with these things together; I don't think you're capable of hurting me.

"And on top of everything else I'm betting you've got a case of impending relationship nerves; welcome to the club, me too. First time in a long time for me as well. That long... it's a shock to the system. And for the record, you're not half bad looking yourself."

Charlie and I wound up just looking at each other, we smiled at the same time. She spoke up.

"Maybe we should call it a night? It's a lot to absorb and this is all so fresh for you. It's fresh, real for me too. I don't want to blow it. If something's going to happen, I want to get it right."

"I do too. We'll see each other in the morning. I seem to remember somebody owes me a breakfast."

Charlie shook her head, smiling.

*****

I was tired but not surprisingly I couldn't sleep. I was thinking about what we'd talked about.

There was a soft knock at the door.

"Robert? You awake?"

I lept to the obvious conclusion.

"Yeah, come in."

I sat up in bed, left the light off. I was surprised that she changed her mind. My heart rate was very much up. Charlie slid through the door and closed it behind her. She put her back to the door jamb. It was the bare minimum she could be in the room while still being in the room.

"Sorry. I'm not sure what I'm doing here. Not why I came but what I need to say. I fought with myself a lot about this. I know what it must look like."

So, it wasn't what I thought.

"Two things. First... ooh this is a toughie. Earlier I slipped and said I had been thinking of being with you. Well... I have been, as in being with you. I tried to cover it up but it's out there now... I don't think we're ready to go there but I wanted to acknowledge it, not potentially leave you hanging.

"The other thing, the big thing... I didn't want to take anything away from you on the patio but there's something I need you to know. The only person I've ever shared this with is Alan, the holder of all secrets.

"To coin a phrase, I was married for about five minutes when I was younger. You can appreciate my story; he was emotionally abusive, physically threatening and he fucked around on me. Oh, and then he blamed me for it."

"Same playbook", I commented.

"My sister convinced me to get out, got me some help dealing with my self-esteem, the trauma. She... uh, also decked him. Catharsis by proxy.

"I like to think I understand where you are. Where you were. It took quite a while for me to pull it together and poke my head up too. And I'm glad I did. You eventually came along.

"I'm sorry, I should have held this till tomorrow but I wanted, needed, for you to know you're not alone. Tell you a secret, I needed to know I wasn't alone too. And there's only one person I trust with this after Alan and it's you. Completely."

"Thanks, I'm glad you came in here, and for trusting me. Hellava night. How about we pick this up tomorrow."

"It sounds good. It's late, we should try and get some sleep, see you in the morning."

"Sleep well."

Surprisingly I dropped off quickly. I'd worried about being half of a couple and letting her down because I didn't meet expectations. But Charlie had been to the same place as me, lived it, she understood. A last weight I didn't know lingered had been lifted.

*****

Charlie and I had the house to ourselves again in the morning. I won't say it didn't cross my mind ever so briefly that we could take advantage of the situation but I didn't want to rush and spoil the opportunity I'd been given; we had time. It did give me an idea though.

A little while later I heard water running in her bathroom. I gave it a few minutes, continued to hear movement, and so grabbed a couple of mugs of coffee

"Room service", I said after knocking with an elbow.

You could hear the smile in her voice.

"Come in!'

Charlie was sitting up, clearly curious.

"Oooh, coffee in bed! You're the best!"

I went to sit at the foot of the bed when she patted the spot next to her.

"Come on up here, be comfortable."

I imagined this as a regular thing. I'd so missed it. We observed the morning social niceties and drifted into small talk. Calvin and Bev's beach addiction gave us some laughs. At one point she put her head on my shoulder ever so briefly.

"My turn to make breakfast", announced Charlie. "How do you like your cereal?", she said grinning.

"Hah, I know better, you've bragged about your omelets enough times. Gotta say expectations are running high."

"I better get to work then, give me a few and I'll be out", she said enthusiastically.

Even after all our goings on about taking it slowly, being careful, I'm only human. So, I leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

"Got to start somewhere", I said.

"Good place to start. Now scoot or it really will be cereal for you", she replied.

*****

There were several times we touched as breakfast was being made; I put my chin on her shoulder in that way we did. Held it there a shade longer. Charlie tucked in next to me momentary.

While eating we discussed the day's itinerary. We decided to go to the beach; it would be a shame to come all this way and not take advantage of it. To simplify things, we'd return to the house for lunch, less to take with us.

After I got my trunks on Charlie noticed I was sucking in my gut, trying to hide those two stubborn pounds. She advised me to stop before my navel fell out of my back. Charlie mentioned that she'd done the same in her time. I called her a liar, bursting into a grin.

This time of the year the beach wasn't terribly busy. From late morning to early afternoon we played like two kids, ran into the surf, splashed each other, did the whole nine yards. And there were times it would have been difficult to separate us, especially our lips. We just kind of fell into it, a passing kiss first and then one a little more focused. Kind of took off from there. Intellectually, it made sense to take some time and build our relationship first but humans are humans, we like to skip steps. And in so many ways we knew each other so very well; we'd laid a foundation already.

Back home Charlie and I wordlessly forewent showering together. It was our last semblance of restraint.

*****

I was puttering around the kitchen when Charlie came into the room; it was a hell of an entrance. I felt severally underdressed at that moment.

"I brought this along in case the right situation came up. If we all went somewhere nice or maybe just for you."

The dress was sleeveless, white, with a little flower bud pattern. And it buttoned from the neck down to the hem. A couple of the top buttons had been left undone. She had the biggest grin on her face.

"You are beautiful", I murmured.

Charlie flushed slightly and bashfully walked over to me. We had our longest sustained bout of kissing up till that moment. I ran my hands slowly up her back over the dress and concluded that she wasn't wearing a bra. She saw the look on my face at the discovery and dimpled before speaking to me.

"I know we agreed on slow but I can't imagine anything to worry about with us, how we feel about each other. Time for the 'being with you' thing maybe? Are you good with that?"

"Yes I am."

"In that case... follow my lead, step back, back... back, alright sit down." Charlie had directed me back to one of the dining room chairs. Once I was seated, she gathered up the hem of the dress and straddled me. We went back to kissing. Passionately didn't begin to describe it. I hated to pause but we'd almost hit the point of no return.

"Charlie, it's... uh been a while... "

She smiled down at me.

"Me too. It is what it is, alright?", she said easily.

"Agreed", I replied.

"And we're good to go, all the pesky little details..."

"Noted... " I took a deep breath and went in again.

I had her pause and unbuttoned her dress to the waist. Definitely no bra. Back to kissing.

I took my time running my hands over her. Not so much teasing as just not missing one square inch of skin. She ran her fingers through my short hair.

The rest of the dress got unbuttoned.

Her underwear was in the special event category like the dress, it easily qualified. Unsurprisingly I'd given her something to rub against on my lap. She was more than pleased. I helped out, pulling her against myself with both hands down the back of her panties.

A few moments later Charlie made a little "um" noise against my lips, a heads up she needed to break off for a moment. With a healthy portion of drama she stood, peeled the underwear down to her ankles, adding a totally unnecessary little shimmy, before kicking them away. Charlie left the dress on. Less dramatically I dropped my much planer shorts. She sat back down on me again, in one effortless slide.

Way too many things went through my head to remember all the details. Without hyperbole it was everything I'd been waiting for, ever wanted and nothing I'd ever experienced before. Full disclosure, while I didn't set an endurance record, neither did I set a speed one. Charlie caught up with me moments later.

I held her against me and felt complete.

Then we looked at each other, let out simultaneous sighs of happiness and promptly laughed together.

*****

This time we didn't forego showering with each other.

Charlie decided to leave a few buttons at the top and bottom of the dress unbuttoned, mainly the bottom, showing off a little leg. I was going to have to find a way to repay the favor.

Some semblances of order restored we found things to nibble from the fridge while having some wine. Unnoticed earlier was a text from Alan.

"He's on his way back shortly. His little friend had to ship out", I paraphrased.

"You're mixing your metaphors", said Charlie sounding properly superior, "she's a pilot."

"Who flew in the Navy", I volleyed.

"Hmmm. Call it a draw?"

"I'm feeling generous today, sure."

I took a cube of cheese to the forehead.

*****

Dinner, Thai food, had been delivered by the time Alan got in. He dropped his bag in the hall; Charlie and I were standing by the kitchen island. It only took one look at us; he got a huge smile on his face and nodded to himself.

"Nice. Congratulations, you two."

We both said thanks and Charlie rejoined Cal and Bev at the table.

"I cancelled my flight reservations. I'm riding back with Charlie."

"I'd worry if you didn't. Enjoy yourselves. I'm a little jealous." Alan had a rueful expression on his face.

"Now we only have to do ever after." It wasn't my old fears coming to the fore, it was practicality, real life would assert itself at some point.

"Pfft, half of all marriages end in divorce; you've paid your dues. You two are statistically golden relationship wise."

"Wow, married, there's a word", I said.

"There's no rush, discover each other, the parts you haven't gotten to yet. Get used to being a couple."

Charlie and I caught each other's eye, shared a smile. I observed at the beach that she had a version of the Smile that was for me and me alone.

Getting used to a person means learning about them, knowing them, doubly so for a couple. And it's a two way street. No hidden agendas, a partner, an equal. Charlie and I had a lot of lost time to make up for after our former lives.

I turned to Alan, nodded, smiled.

"You know I could get used to this."