Luke knew exactly why everyone was staring at them. They wanted to see for themselves what “it” was. Why his old barber had asked if Charlie was his wife. Why Luke had punched one of the Atkinson brothers when he talked shit. Why Mack couldn’t touch his truck, of all things. Why he was fucking living with her. Her lack of sobriety was like a clear window into their lives, like how she talked to him with less robust critical reasoning skills. Luke and Charlie: The Director’s Cut.

[i]This is it![/i] he wanted to shout at the table. [i]Is everyone happy?[/i]

Her arm rested against his chest, and he could smell the woodsmoke and beer on her. It went straight to his brain. Luke wanted to pull her onto his lap and wrap his arm around her waist. Instead, he picked up the abandoned club soda and took a deep swallow from the can, hyperaware of how hot her skin was under palm. Slowly, he realized he was gripping her knee a little too firmly. He relaxed some but didn’t move his hand. 

When she mentioned biscuits, his gaze moved from her eyes, to her mouth, and back again. He chewed on the inside of his cheek. They were too close. She was too goddamn close to him. Never in a million years would they sit like this at the house. But at a bonfire, when everyone was drinking, it was suddenly permissible. He could feel Charlie’s phone vibrate once in her pocket, right against his thigh, and he mentally begged her not to check it.

“I’ll make you anything you want – ” He paused, catching an endearment before it dared to come out of his mouth. “ -- Charlie,” he tacked on at the end.

His strange statement made Mack hit the guy next to him with the back of his hand. “I forgot I have wood in the back of the truck. Want to help me bring it to the fire?” Before they took their beers and left, Mack added, "Listen, if we don't see you two before you leave, drive safely, okay?" 

Anna seemed like she was going to get up, but she changed her mind at the last second. “I’m glad you both came out. It’s nice to see you somewhere besides the precinct and the bar for once. And Mack's right -- drive safely. We have a squad car at the bottom of the hill.” She winked, squeezed Charlie’s hand, and gave Luke a look that, for the first time since he’d known her, he could not read.

He thanked her and gave Charlie's knee a final squeeze before letting go. “Come on, Calamity Jane," he said, getting up even though he all of a sudden he didn't want to. Charlie seemed…happy. Lighter. Good, almost. He didn't want to do anything that would ruin her brief mental peace.