Chapter 46

Charlie said to Lauren, “You can call me Charlie. No more ‘Mr. Frank.’”

Lauren repeated his name softly several times. It felt strangely familiar, as if she had said it thousands of times before. She blinked, suppressing the unsettling feeling. She’d experienced these strange sensations since meeting Charlie and Leo.

“Leo was such a cute baby,” she thought.

Noticing his bruises, she considered them minor and bent to examine them more closely. Charlie recoiled.

He turned, his ears reddening. "I'm fine," he said shyly. "I can manage. Why don't you wait downstairs?"

Usually, Lauren would have left, but Leo's father was a different matter. Concerned, she said, "I have some medical skills; I might be able to help."

Charlie looked up, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. She changes her attitude so fast, he thought. Before mentioning Leo, she was indifferent, and now she cares only because of him! "Do you only care about Leo? Are you just worried I can't look after him?"

Lauren noticed his gaze and looked up.

He turned away, his voice cold. "I don't want to bother you, Miss Bennett."

Why is he calling me Miss Bennett again? Didn't he say he'd call me Lauren? she wondered, confused. Taking a few steps back, she said, "I'm going downstairs."

Charlie remained silent, head bowed.

Lauren glanced at him before leaving the study.

Once she was gone, he leaped up from the bay window in disbelief. She'd actually left him! He paced his study, dejected, though his foot was perfectly fine.

Downstairs, Lauren ran into Daphne returning from the garage.

"Why were you upstairs?" Daphne asked, puzzled.

Lauren pointed to Charlie's study. "Mr. Frank hurt his foot."

Daphne immediately retrieved the first-aid kit and hurried upstairs.

Still upset, Charlie heard someone running. It must be Lauren! he thought happily. He settled back onto the bay window, feigning an examination of his bruises.