Kate Hoffmann - The Drifter

“Would you like me to go punch him in the face?” Charlie asked, hoping she’d agree.

“No. Don’t bother. He’s not worth it.”

“There is one good thing I can say for the guy,” Charlie murmured. “He was too stupid to realize what he had when he married you. If it wasn’t for that, you two might still be married. And I wouldn’t have a girlfriend.”

“And there is the fact that he thought the restaurant would fail without his considerable skills as a businessman. He thought he was getting the better end of the deal when we settled.” She pointed to a small stand. “There it is. Come on. You’ll love this place. The food is healthy and your insides will thank you.”

Charlie wanted to question her more about her ex, but he could see how eager she was to change the subject. There would be plenty of time to learn all the details later. And if the guy got too pushy, Charlie would just have to invite him out for a beer and a little talk.

He smiled to himself as he listened to Eve order the corn tamales. There was a certain pleasure in watching over her, in protecting her. Though Eve could certainly take care of herself, he wanted to be there, to give support when she needed it.

After all, that’s what a boyfriend did. And he was now, officially, Eve Keller’s boyfriend.

“HEY, CHARLIE!”

Charlie glanced up from his notes to see Kevin Martin strolling down the aisle of the lecture hall. He’d just finished the first of his talks and it had gone better than he’d expected, considering he hadn’t spent a lot of time preparing. The lecture hall had been full and the crowd enthusiastic.

Kevin was a friend he’d met on his climb of Mount Vinson in Antarctica. Now he ran a sports marketing firm and had been booking Charlie’s speaking engagements and media appearances for the past two years.

“Kevin. What are you doing here?”

“I’ve got the family over at Breckinridge for some spring skiing and I thought I’d drive over and see your presentation. And, I’m bringing some good news.”

Charlie gathered up his laptop and his notes and tucked them under his arm. “What kind of news?”

“I got a call a few days ago from National Geographic. I sent them a reel of some of your appearances and they want you to host a special. About the ecological impact of climbing expeditions on Everest. It’s all part of a yearlong push they’re doing on the environment. They’re funding the whole thing. You’ll prep with the production company in Boston starting next week and then spend a month on site filming in May.”

“Why so soon? How are they going to put it all together that quickly?” Charlie paused, then nodded. “I’m not their first choice, am I?”

Kevin shook his head. “No. They had Dirk Phillips but he had to back out at the last minute. He broke his leg mountain biking and hasn’t fully recovered. Your climbing permit is still good, so you made an attractive substitute.”

“I don’t know,” Charlie said. “I just got back from Everest. I’m still recovering from jet lag. Two climbs in one season is crazy.”

“You’ll have a huge support staff. And they don’t expect you to summit. You’ll film around base camp and advance base camp, interview the Sherpas, the local government officials, the climbing guides. You’ll do most of that in Katmandu as they come off the mountain.”

Charlie knew this was an incredible opportunity. National Geographic was the pinnacle of the industry. Their expeditions were perfectly run, with personnel who knew exactly what they were doing. And if he took this job, there might be others in the future.

As much as he wanted to stay with Eve, he had to find a way to make a living. He couldn’t depend upon her to pay the bills. And this was only for a month. “Do I have some time to think about it?”

Kevin held out a piece of paper. “Take a look at this. It’s the compensation package they’re offering. I don’t think you need to think. This kind of salary puts you in a whole different ballpark.”

“Why me?”

“Look at yourself, Charlie. Guys want to be your best friend and women want to sleep with you. You have a face made for television. I’m just surprised no one has noticed before.”

“Okay,” Charlie said. “I’ll think about it. I’ll call you in a few days.”

“They need to know by Tuesday or they’ll push everything back to next season. And then Dirk will be available,” Kevin said. He smiled. “Nice job on the speech. Television is going to love you.”

Charlie wandered back to the area they’d designated as his dressing room. It wasn’t more than an empty office with an adjacent bathroom. He sat down on the edge of a table. The offer was too good to pass up. Even he could see that.

But was he ready to walk out on Eve? Things were just starting to go well. If was really committed to changing his life, then there shouldn’t be any second thoughts. He ought to want to stay in Boulder.

Yet there it was, that old familiar pull. That anticipation, that curiosity, that undeniable need to see what was waiting for him around the next corner. The urge to wander wasn’t nearly as strong, but it was still there.

Charlie cursed softly. He couldn’t continue to do this for the rest of his life. Sooner or later, he’d realize that he didn’t have a life. He rubbed his face with his hands, trying to clear his head and make sense of all these feelings.

“Charlie Templeton?”

Charlie opened his eyes to find a beautiful woman standing at the door. Great. This was all he needed. He waited for the attraction to hit, but to his surprise, he felt nothing. She was exactly the kind of woman he had always been attracted to-blonde and willowy. “That’s me,” he said. “What can I do for you?”

She held out her hand. “My name is Angela Weatherby. I was wondering if you’d have time for an interview?”

“I’m kind of in a-”

“It won’t take long. I just have a few questions.”

What was the harm? He felt no attraction at all. And professionally, he ought to spend more time getting his name out. “Sure,” he said, shaking her hand. There it was again. No reaction to touching her. He grabbed a chair and pulled it out for her. “Sit. So, who do you work for?”

She forced a smile. “Actually, I work for myself. I have a blog and a Web site. But my questions are for a book I’m writing.”

“About climbing?” She didn’t exactly look like she spent a lot of time outdoors. Her nails were too well manicured and her skin was pale and unlined.

“Not exactly.”

“So, what would you like to ask?”

“First, I want to assure you that your interview will be strictly anonymous. Protecting your real identity will be my first priority. I want you to speak freely.”

He frowned. Why would he want to do an anonymous interview? He didn’t have any secrets. “I don’t understand. What is this about?”

“When did you first notice girls?” Angela asked, her digital recorder poised to capture his answer.

“What?”

“I’m interested in understanding the process. How does one go from ordinary kid to ladies’ man? Exactly who taught you how to seduce women? Was it something you just picked up by trial and error or did you have a mentor?”

“What is this? A joke? I think you have me confused with someone else,” he said, getting to his feet.

“I run a Web site called SmoothOperators.com and you have a very large profile with us. You’ve dated a lot of women and fifteen of them have written comments about you. I’d like to talk to you about that, about your relationships with women.”

Charlie stared at her for a long moment. “I’m on a Web site?”

“Yes,” she said. “SmoothOperators.com.”