Read Loving David for Free Online

“He had an affair, which meant something was broken long before. I know it sounds crazy, but if you would’ve been in my shoes, would you have just left them there? I was still legally his wife ---- so should I have taken care of his business and left her there alone?” She held her head down and lowered her voice, surprised at the sympathy she still felt for the young woman. “She was younger than you are, and she had no one.” She reflected for a moment. “Besides, I needed the closure.” Charlotte finished the last of her wine. “And I got it.”
    David was silent for a moment as the gravity of Charlotte’s word sank in. He set his wine glass down on the table and looked at her. “Amazing,” he said.
    Charlotte snorted. “Amazing…maybe. Some might say pathetic. Either way, the whole situation wasn’t a high point for me. I try not to think about it too much. It’s just a sad ending followed by yet another sad ending, you know?” she gave him a faint smile. He kept those penetrating green eyes focused on her like a laser beam, never saying a word.
    She began to fidget. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
    “It’s just…you’re probably one of the strongest women I’ve ever met.” He downed the rest of his drink and set his glass on the table.
    Charlotte smiled in spite of herself, her cheeks warming at his compliments. She took a deep breath in an attempt to steady her racing heart.
    “That’s very flattering,” she murmured. “Thank you.” The moment hung in the air between them before Charlotte made a big show of stretching her legs and rearranging the frayed, itchy blanket.
    “I’m tired of talking about myself,” she said to raise the atmosphere. “I want you to tell me more about you. You’ve lived quite the life for a thirty-year- old.” She leaned the side of her head against her hand. “It must be extremely exciting at times.” She looked at him and waited for his smile.
    She didn’t get one.
    “What is it?” she asked.
    David leaned back against the chair and propped his feet upon the table. Charlotte couldn’t help but notice he had nice feet ----much better than what you usually saw strolling up and down Venice Beach on any given day. “I feel older than thirty sometimes,” he sighed. “That probably sounds silly to you, but I get tired of running around all over the planet. I long for the day that I can just put down roots and be.” He stroked his chin, retreating further into thought. “I know I’m quite lucky to have the career and all the perks that come with it --- especially the income. It does come with a price, as you witnessed in town. Sometimes I feel selfish for complaining; other times I want to just disappear.” He sat up in his chair like a five-year-old who just spotted a bicycle under the Christmas tree, his expression animated. “Like now… I love the fact that I’ve He snapped his fingers and popped out of his chair. He ran back in the direction of his room. “Which reminds me. I need to text William to and let him know where I am. After that, I’m turning the phone off.” disappeared. ”
    “Who’s William?”
    “My manager, who had the idea for me to come up here in the first place. When I saw that mob scene earlier, I was cursing him. Now I owe him. Be right back.”
    Charlotte waited in the living room while David sent his text. Charlotte could tell he was sincere just by listening to the fatigue in his voice and the excitement he expressed when talking about the experience of meeting the ladies; he really did need a break from his life.
    David bounded back into the room and poured the last of the wine into their glasses.
    “I’m going to take it as a good sign that William didn’t text back right away; he must’ve made his flight.” David sat down and picked up his glass. “So how long are you ladies here for?” He winked. “I guess I’m wondering how long I’ll get to crash the party.”
    Charlotte ran her finger