Read Online Charley by Shelby C. Jacobs - Free Book Online Page A

railing, I felt his hand squeeze my butt a couple of times. That was no imagination! ‘What the hell are you doing? Get your hands off me.’ I was startled and reacted in a quiet but firm voice. ‘Who do you think you are?’
    ‘Charley, I’m sorry.  I just thought …’
    Phillip struggled to find the right words.
    ‘Thought what? That I would just fall into your arms, you jerk! I may be young and naïve, but I am not one of your bimbos. I’m married and happily so!’
    I was fuming by now and stretched my five foot ten inch frame to be sure my hand would land fully and firmly across his face. Having delivered my blow, I turned and stormed back into the ballroom, leaving Phillip glancing around in squirming embarrassment.
    After the Gala dinner and program, as we were leaving, a familiar tall body suddenly stopped us in the lobby.
    ‘Randle, Charley, I want to apologize! Randle, I got fresh with Charley earlier. That’s not who I am, I’m so sorry. You are a lucky man. Charley is decidedly the prettiest and sexiest woman here tonight! Please forgive me for being such an ass.’
    ‘That’s okay Phillip. I told Randle and he just laughed. He said you couldn’t help yourself.  I understand. You’re forgiven this time.’ I turned to Randle. ‘Okay, honey?’
    ‘Sure, Charley … but Phillip, it will cost you!’
    ‘Anything! What do you want?’
    ‘Well, tickets to a Grizzles game, and a signed picture would heal a lot of wounds.’
    ‘I’ll have the tickets for the next five home games for you at will call.  I don’t have any pictures. Why don’t I sign the Gala’s program?’
    ‘Works for me, here you are on pages thirteen and fourteen.’
    Phillip took the program and signed the two pictures. On one page he signed. To My Biggest Fans. Phillip #37. On the other page he signed . Til We Meet Again, Phillip McCoy …
    *****
    … “Ms. Howard, my name is Phillip McCoy. It’s so good to meet you.”
    I shook my head and mentally recovered from my brief daydream while the memory of that first meeting pleasantly washed over me. I continued to play out our little charade. “I would be delighted, Coach, if you would have dinner with me.”
    I motioned him to a seat beside me. As he sat down, we both laughed and I resumed the conversation. “Now that’s the way it was supposed to happen last night.”
    “I know, sorry. I guess I had an attitude, didn’t I?”
    “Well you knew what you wanted, and she looked like the answer, so you’re forgiven this time.  I’m just glad you’re here now.”
    I leaned over to him and kissed him on the cheek. Impulsively, I brushed his lips as I sat back.
    “See what you missed?”
    He was visibly surprised by my kiss.
    “Charley, you are definitely not what I would expect from a bar owner!”
    “I hope not!” I replied and snickered.
    The ever present Ronnie, on cue, showed up before we could get too mushy. “Ms Howard, may I get you and Coach McCoy something?”
    I replied. “I’ll take another Peach Sangria, and for you Coach?”
    “I’ll take a glass of water … with a twist of lemon please,” Coach told Ronnie. He explained. “I’ve been sober for eleven months now; I can’t take a chance …”
    He reached for my hand, looked directly into my eyes and with a silky tone, he spoke quietly. “Now that I’ve met you.”
    “You smooth devil you. Keep talking like that and you may hit a home run tonight.”
    Without taking my eyes off the handsome young athlete, I spoke back to Ronnie. “Ronnie, we would like some privacy. Could you have the staff finish setting it up, please? Oh, and bring us some appetizers too; perhaps some calamari, Coach?”
    I could feel Ronnie grinning. “Yes, Ma’am.”
    But Ronnie’s low monotone let me know he still didn’t approve of the privacy setting for this evening. Nevertheless, he did as I requested, and left to put in the drink orders and arrange for the privacy panels to be put in place.
    “Charley, I must