Wife 89


    “Yeah, I’m on the road. How about you?” Noelle asked. I’ll be there in half an hour or so.”


    “Yeah, I’m out too. Let’s meet up!”


    Half an hourter, Noelle spotted Charles chilling by the mall entrance, with no car in sight. She


    stepped


    out of the car. “Where’s your car?”


    “Ronald drove it off.” Charles said with an easy grin, one hand chilling in his pocket. His smile was


    like a warm spring day, totally disarming.


    Noelle paused, a hand to her forehead, “Oh!” She could not help but think Charles was ying dirty


    with a smile like that. She never knew a guy could look so good just by smiling.


    Charles narrowed his eyes, catching Noelle’s vibe, a spark of mischief in his gaze. “You don’t seem


    too


    thrilled.”


    “No way!” Noelleughed awkwardly, “You’re totally seeing things!”


    “I guess I must be,” Charles said with a yful smile, “Looks like I’ll have to ask you for a lift home


    then, Mrs. Hoffman!”


    Noelle was speechless for a moment… Was he for real? “You can just call me Noelle.”


    “But I prefer this!” Charles chuckled, gently sweeping Noelle’s hair back from her face, “That doesn’t


    feel right to me!”


    “Fine, bute up with something else!”


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    “I don’t want to call you what everyone else does!” Charles’s brow crinkled. “I want something that’s


    ours, something unique.”


    Noelle let out a soft sigh. This whole nickname thing with Charles was throwing her off. “Okay, then


    come


    up with something unique!”


    Charles’s frown deepened, a touch of thoughtfulness in his voice. “Alright, I’ll think of something


    special just for you!”


    “Oh!” Noelle gave a nonchnt shrug. To her, any name was fine as long as it was not too formal. It


    was just another nickname, really.


    Charles thought for a beat. “I haven’te up with anything yet. Let’s go! You were craving steak,


    right?”


    Noelle nodded. “Yeah, and what about you?” She paused, considering they were a married couple


    now. She could not just think about her own favorites. “What’s your go–to? I’m still not sure about


    your tastes, so give me a heads up, and I’ll keep an eye out when we shop.”


    Charles squinted with a yful grin. “I’m easy. I’m not fussy–just make sure it’s cooked!” He


    paused, That’s all you’re in the mood for? What about veggies?”


    ”


    Noelle blinked, surprised, “Veggies are all good, aren’t they?” Was she supposed to have strong


    opinions on those too?


    “So, you’re a meat–lover, huh?” Charles teased, the word ‘meat‘ rolling off his tongue with a sly


    undertone.


    Oblivious to the tease, Noelle hesitated, then nodded. Yeah. I loved my grandpa’s steak when I was


    little.


    1/2


    +15 BONUS


    I’m not quite the chef he was. His food was amazing. I’d always go back for seconds, especially for


    the meat dishes.” Sheughed, a bit sheepishly. “Sounds like I’m bragging, huh?”


    Charles let out a softugh. “Not at all. It sounds like you’re pretty easy to please. You’re a big fan of


    meat,


    I see!”


    Noelle paused, puzzled. Charles’s words seemed fine on the surface, but they felt off to her. Still,


    she nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I really do love my meat!”


    C