Read Find Her, Keep Her for Free Online

different way—in an earthy way. He reminds me of the boys surfing the south California beaches, going down toward San Diego County—the ones who look as if they’ll only take a bath if they’re riding a surfboard.  
    “By the way, what’s your name?”  
    He snickers. “I was wondering when you were going to ask. It’s Charlie.”
    “Belmont and Charlie,” I muse.  
    “Formally Charles. Our parents had high hopes, and all they got was us.”
    “Are you blue-blooded?” I ask, taking a healthier swig of my drink.
    “Royal blue.”
    I gag, nearly choking. “Are you royalty?” I cough.  
    He laughs and slaps me on the back. “All good?”
    I clear the last bit of liquid out of my windpipe. “Yeah. You can move your hand now.” He’s enjoying rubbing on my back a little too much.  
    He removes his hand. “The answer to your question is no. Ever heard of Lord’s Steel?”
    I shake my head. “No.”
    “That’s because it’s not around anymore. We sold it, split the cash...” He stops as though he’s choosing to leave something out.
    “How does that relate to the ‘high hopes’?” I ask.
    His expression grows dim. “Our parents are dead.” He steps toward the Adirondacks. “Let’s sit.” Charlie slumps into one of the wood chairs, and I trot across the sand like a Clydesdale to take the one beside him. He’s still sullen, and instead of drinking out of the glass, he guzzles from the bottle. The alcohol is already working on my head, making me a little dizzy.
    It’s clearly time to change the subject. I close my eyes to sigh. “I didn’t understand why your brother was interested in me. I’m not his type.” Was being the operative word. Maybe he used me to make the blonde jealous. He looks like the type that would take such drastic measures.  
    Charlie utters a tsk . “Why the hell are you interested in him ?” He extends the bottle to top off my glass.  
    “How do you know I’m interested?” I ask as he pours. My words are dragging.
    “You’re all interested. Girls like him. He’s got magic,” he mumbles sarcastically. “You’re sitting here, watching the ocean. Do you like the way it sounds?”  
    “Love it,” I say before taking another swallow.  
    “You respect it, don’t you?” he asks in a serious tone.
    “Very much.”
    “You’re too deep for him. He’s a rigid asshole, and you’ll get bored.”
    “Or he’ll get bored.”
    “Nah, he won’t.” Charlie sounds sure about that.  
    “Oh yes, he will. And you would too. Didn’t I tell you…” Jeez, I already forgot what I was going to say. I’m officially intoxicated.  
    “Didn’t you tell me what?”  
    Shucks. My head is spinning. “Didn’t I tell you that my boyfriend left me for my best friend? She’s obviously the desirable one.” I close my eyes and inhale the fresh, crisp beach air. Clips of Maya run through my head. “She’s always there, you know? Smiling and extra nice while I shrink into the background. A shrinking violet, that’s what I am…”
    He snorts cynically and holds out the bottle to pour me another. “Oh, she’s one of those kinds of girls.”
    “Yeah, likable. Desirable.” I should pass on the refill, but I don’t.  
    “More like competitive. Easy.” He fills my glass to the rim.
    “She’s not easy,” I scold, which is surprising. Am I seriously defending her after what she’s done to me?
    “You’re smart, Daisy. I can tell. Deep down, you know what I’m talking about. I dine on chicks like her.”
    We fall silent as I think. Maya does like to be the center of attention, and I allow it. I’m certainly not comfortable standing behind her, looking stupid as my mind processes everything that’s going on. She’s quicker than I am. Like the time we were having lunch at the Patio Galley Café off Venice Beach. Two firefighters sat at the table next to ours and appraised us admiringly. I’ve been all over the world, and the firefighters in Los Angeles are