I held out for three more days. I went on longer runs to try to fill that extra hour I now had and even let myself sleep in past six. But by day four, my hands were shaking and I felt like I was about to break into cold sweats when I passed the music shop on the way to the running trail. I was seriously jonesing for the piano.

On my way back home, I stopped in front of the shop and peeked in the window. I told myself it was earlier than normal, so Charlie wouldn’t even know I was there. I told myself it was okay I was still sweaty from my run because I was only going to stay a few minutes. I told myself it meant nothing that I’d been carrying around the shop key for the last four days and was finally giving in to temptation.

The shop was dark and quiet when I went inside, and the first thing I noticed was the walls had been painted a teal that was bright even in the dim light. There were also new shelves displaying smaller instruments and framed vintage concert posters. When I looked closer, I realized they were actually paintings of vintage posters. I hated all of it. Sure, it was nice and modern and would probably bring in new customers, but it felt like Abe had been wiped clean from his shop.

My baby grand was still in the same place in the window, but when I sat down, I remembered I hadn’t brought any sheet music with me. There were countless songs I’d committed to memory as a teenager, but I didn’t want to play any of those. I was done with classical for now. Even though I would never stop loving it, playing it reminded me too much of the strict piano lessons of my childhood.

I ran my fingers over the smooth keys, the tinkling sound traveling from my ears down my spine. I sat up straight on the edge of the bench with my arms relaxed in front of me—just the way I’d been taught—and launched into one of the pop songs Joe and I played together often. It was up-tempo, so my mind stayed focused on the quick movements of my fingers and the repetitive lyrics I quietly sang.

When I finished, I rested my hands on the keys and closed my eyes. That would have to be enough for today. I already pressed my luck by coming here.

“Nice!”

I whipped around, and there was Charlie again, looking rather pleased with himself—and rather shirtless.

I stood up. “I didn’t think you would know I was here.” Then I frowned at him. “Where’s your shirt?”

He chuckled and rubbed his defined stomach. “I don’t wear one when I sleep.”

“That really doesn’t answer my question.”

He moved closer. “I was sleeping. Your playing woke me up.”

“Don’t you live by Rachel and Joe? You must have werewolf hearing if you could hear me playing from there.”

They lived off Main Street in a beautiful old house, and when they introduced me to Charlie at their Friendsgiving, they’d said he was their neighbor. My piano playing wasn’t quiet, but I was fairly certain the sound didn’t carry a half mile either.

He laughed. “Werewolf hearing?”

My cheeks heated. I was one-hundred percent sure he could see me blushing this time. “That was the first animal I could think of with really good hearing.”

He looked far too amused. “So, the first animal that popped into your mind was not even a real one. I like that. I’m pretty sure most people would think of a bat, or I don’t know, a dog? But not you, Miss Eliza.”

“Did you ever answer how you heard me playing?” I wanted to get the conversation back on track and away from werewolves.

He pointed to the ceiling. “My bedroom is up there. The sound traveled right up the vent. It was a pretty nice way to wake up, I’ve gotta admit.”

I widened my eyes. “You live upstairs now?”

He ran his hand through his hair, and I realized he did look like he’d just gotten out of bed. His hair was usually neatly slicked to the side, but right now, it was flopping down over his forehead. I didn’t want to know what Charlie looked like when he just got out of bed. That led me to thinking about what he looked like in bed, and that was dangerous territory.

“Yeah, just moved in. I was only renting the place by Rachel and Joe until I found something permanent. Have you been upstairs?”

I shook my head. “No, I thought Abe just used it as storage.”

“He did. No one’s lived up there in years. It’s nice, though. I’ve got more room than I know what to do with, but there’s amazing light for me to paint in.”

I pointed to the posters on the wall. “Did you paint these?”

“I did.”

Of course he did. They were beautiful. It was hard to dislike someone who made such beautiful art.

I gestured to the newly painted walls. “What have you done with the rest of Abe’s shop?”

“Looks good, right?”

“It’s gorgeous. I hate it.”

He scratched his chin and shrugged. “Abe likes it.”

Obviously I had no comeback for that. If Abe liked it, then who was I to say anything? Change was hard for me to process. Order was what ran my life.

“Oh. Well…I should go.”

I started for the door, but Charlie asked, “Were you running?”

Startled, I asked, “What? Why?”

He smiled. “You look like you’re wearing running clothes, and don’t shoot me for saying this, you’re a little sweaty. Not that I’m complaining.”

I wrapped my arms around my exposed stomach. It hadn’t even occurred to me I was standing in front of him in only a pink sports bra and paisley compression leggings. Suddenly, I felt naked.

“I did run this morning. I usually go home and shower before I come here, but I was just stopping in for a few minutes today, so I didn’t.”

Charlie scanned me from toe to head, and I wrapped my arms tighter around myself like a shield. I didn’t know how to handle how much I liked the way he was looking at me. He looked surprised, but almost delighted.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you wear color,” he said.

“You’ve only seen me three time before this. That’s not a good sample size.”

He sighed. “I’ve lived in this town for over six months. I see you walking up and down Main Street all the time.”

“You do? I haven’t seen you! You haven’t spoken to me.”

“I’m a lurker. You never know where I’ll turn up.” When I frowned at him, he laughed. “I’ve been hanging out in the shop with Abe a lot. He showed me the ropes before I agreed to buy the place. It’s hard not to notice you when you’re right across the street.”

“And yet, I never noticed you,” I said.

“You’re very noticeable, Miss Eliza.”

“Why do you keep calling me that?”

“You’re usually so fancy, I feel like I can’t call you by your first name.”

I sputtered. “Fancy? I’m definitely not that. And right now, I’m covered in sweat and wearing workout clothes.”

He nodded and rubbed his chin, like he was considering my point. “True. But the women I usually hang out with have shaved heads, multiple tattoos and piercings, and live in jeans and combat boots. And I know how fancy you are normally, so you’re still a ‘miss.’”

I wasn’t sure whether I should have been offended or not. I’d never been called fancy or ‘miss.’ Charlie tended to fluster and confound me.

I wrapped my hand around the doorknob.

“I’m going to go. This has all been…very strange.”

“Wait, wait! There was an actual reason I asked if you’d been running.”

I raised my brows and waited for him to continue.

“I’m trying to get into running. I want to run with you.”

My hand fell away from the door, and I stared at him. He’d surprised me.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I don’t know any other runners around here and running with someone else will motivate me.”

He actually sounded sincere, so I considered what he was asking.

“You can run with me if you want. I run every day and leave my house at six-thirty. I won’t go slow for you,” I warned.

“Six-thirty? Jesus…” He rubbed his face with his hands. “Okay. I can do six-thirty. I don’t know about every day, but I’ll be waiting outside tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow is a ten-mile day,” I said.

“Are you trying to kill me?”

I grinned. “You’re tagging along with me. Besides, you don’t have to stay with me the whole way.”

“I highly doubt I’ll be able to run ten miles. It’s been months since I’ve run one mile.”

I looked at his bare sinewy torso, with its tight, corded muscles, every one perfectly defined. “You look like you’re in good shape to me.” I almost slapped my hands over my mouth. I couldn’t believe I said that!

He chuckled and smoothed a hand down his chest. “Yeah, but not from running. I didn’t say I don’t work out. I’m more of a swimmer and a circuit trainer.”

I was beyond flustered and ready to escape. “I’m going to go for real this time. I have work, and...I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”

He nodded. “You will, Miss Eliza.”

“Can we go with just Eliza from now on?”

“I will make a concerted effort. You’ll have to try to be a little less fancy, though.”

I groaned and opened the door. “You’re something else, Charlie.”

He took a deep bow. “I try.”

I looked at him for a long moment, somewhat stunned by the last few minutes, and then shook my head in defeat and walked out the door. I could hear him laughing through the glass as I walked up the street.

I had no idea what had just happened in there. I went from trying to avoid seeing Charlie again to agreeing to being running buddies.

He wasn’t what I’d thought he’d be, and he definitely wasn’t like anyone I knew. Charlie was weird, but I was beginning to think of his weirdness as part of his undeniable charm. I was also beginning to think I was more than a little charmed by Charlie Hamada.