Interrupted (The Progress Series) by Amy Queau Read Free Book Online

another—”
    He leaned in and kissed her again. This time it was on his terms and expected. It was slower and lingered a little longer than she anticipated. His palms rested on her cheeks and her fingers lay gently around his wrists, but he pulled away a little too soon for Charlie’s liking. She let out a quick sigh of shock as he stared into her eyes. Are my knees working? Everything feels like rubber. Holy shit, this guy can kiss.
    “Better. Slower. I’m not going anywhere,” he said with a grin.
    “I’ll try to remember that,” she said, trying to conceal her gasps for air.
    “Shall we?” He gestured to the theater doors.
    “We shall.”
    *
    After the movie, Charlie and Samuel walked to a diner two blocks away. The weather was getting warmer as spring was approaching; puddles of slushy snow lined the streets and rivers of cold water trickled down the drains.
    The inside of the diner looked as though someone had taken a snapshot of the place in 1956 and redecorated it perfectly. There were seamed and padded red booths, a black and white checkered floor, an old jukebox and oversized windows. There were even antique plaques on the wall from that era (one said Shakes and Malts) , and there were a dozen rusted metal plaques of Fords and Chevys that covered the entire back wall.
    Charlie and Samuel were seated in a booth with a view of the busy city street outside.
    “Have you been here before?” she asked, taking off her coat.
    “No, you?”
    “Never. This place is a trip! I feel like I’m in Back to the Future and Biff is about to walk in—,” she said.
    “Those movies were awesome. I think my favorite was the first one,” he said.
    “Classic. But I definitely prefer the second one. There’s so much going on, and it can get really confusing unless you’re paying close attention. I like movies that keep me on my toes.”
    They were torn from their conversation when the waitress, in full 1950s costume, walked up to their table.
    “Hi there, I’m Sue and I’ll be your server. Are you ready to order?”
    “No, I haven’t even opened the menu yet. I’m sorry. Can you give us a minute?” Charlie asked.
    “Can I start you with something to drink?”
    “Oh, yes,” said Charlie. “A cherry Coke?”
    “Two, please,” Samuel said with a smile.
    As the server walked away, Charlie leaned toward Samuel and whispered, “I have a really tacky question.”
    “Okay…”
    “I don’t have a lot of money for this meal—”
    “Charlie, don’t worry about it. I asked you to join me for dinner. How tacky would it be if I asked you to pay for it?”
    “Well, good then. I’m getting a malt… and dessert,” she said with a wink.
    “Sounds good. Is it tacky for me to ask if I can share them with you?”
    “No! Of course you can.”
    The server returned with their sodas and took their orders. After she scooped their menus off the table and walked away, Samuel folded his hands and set them on the table.
    “So, Charlie, may I ask you another question?”
    She panicked a little before answering, “Yes.”
    “What was that earlier? The kiss?”
    She set her face into her palm and tried to force a few words out that would make sense. “I…I don’t know. I’m so
sorry—”
    “No, wait. That’s not what I meant. Let me rephrase that. When you initially kissed me, it was tense. Uneasy. It felt more like a goodbye, rather than a hello.”
    She ran her fingers through her hair and rested her hands on the table. Her shoulders tensed and her stomach twisted. Exhaling, she dropped her shoulders slightly and nodded her head. “I think it might be best if we just take things slow. I’ve got a lot of stuff I’m trying to sort out.”
    “I’m in no rush.” he said with a genuine smile.
    Damn .
    “I love that you said that. And, I hate that you said that.”
    Confusion crossed his face.
    “No, I mean, I love that you said that. But, when you kissed me back…” She thought back to her weak knees and the