When I'm with you

So did I...

A huge old house that was one of the main Sanditon's attractions always made him sad. The lavish halls, tapestries, enormous chandeliers, and stone floors with various patterns that had survived for centuries reminded him of how small and insignificant every single person in this big world was. The last time he'd been here with Tom and Charlotte, they'd begged the Lady to delay their payments. They asked not to sue, but to settle everything peacefully. A lawsuit would destroy not only Tom himself, but everything that had been created by Him up to this point. By the way, Lady Dee was more than generous. Sofia took pity on them, despite the fact that she herself had incurred considerable losses and gave them a delay on all payments. The ill-fated fire, which claimed several lives and partially destroyed new buildings, changed everything in Sydney's life. The endless series of investigations, trials, fines, and compensation payments that followed seemed to engulf him. If Tom hadn't been such an idiot for not insuring his rather risky business, it would have been much easier. How many times afterward did Sidney wonder what would have happened if his brother hadn't fallen into such an abyss? What would happen if he could find the money himself, bypassing Campion and Co, the only firm that would guarantee his loan? But the job was done, the five-year contract was signed, and Sidney was forced to go so far away that even his worst fantasy did not spread. When all was settled, Sidney returned to Sanditon to tell Charlotte, explain the situation, and perhaps persuade her to go with him. However, his wishes were not to be fulfilled.
He sat down on the hood of his car and felt the urge to smoke. This was always the case when memories of Sanditon came flooding back to him.
When he heard the noise in the driveway, Sidney knew that the calmness and composure that he had trained so hard for the past five years was at an end. His heart was pounding, and his hands were icy. Not so long ago Sidney could have sworn that nothing in the world could have made him so nervous, but he was wrong. Charlotte easily proved him wrong. Again.
She came out of the trees, and for a moment his breath caught in his throat. Sidney couldn't take his eyes off her gorgeous, thick hair, which fell in waves over her shoulders, her deep brown eyes and luscious inviting lips. Charlotte was simply stunning in her thin denim shirt of sky blue color and cream flared two-layer skirt just above the knee, effectively emphasizing the chest and hips. Her deliciously long, tanned legs brought back pleasant memories and fantasies.
- Are you going to stare at me all night, or are we going to go? -  Charlotte asked as seriously as she could, secretly enjoying the effect she had produced.
- Yes, Yes, I'm sorry - Sidney said, confused - you are ... simply charming...
- You don't have to compliment me, we're not on a date, remember? -  Charlotte said calmly.
- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push you - Sidney said - So, the entertainment of your choice. My faithful horse is waiting for us.
Sidney was a little taken aback by her coldness.
Charlotte had been smiling at him that morning, and now she was once again an unapproachable but incredibly beautiful statue.
- To be honest, I would walk - she answered wearily - there is a small cafe nearby.
- Are you all right? - Sidney said - If you don't want to, we can reschedule the meeting or cancel it altogether.  Only say.
Common sense practically screamed at her to get out of here as fast as she could and never see Sidney Parker again. Her heart kept reaching out to him, forcing her to come closer and closer, giving rise to the desire to bury her nose in his strong chest and drown in his hot embrace. She shook her head to clear it.
Charlotte realized that even though she had resented him all this time, she had never felt hatred or contempt for Sidney. She had always respected his choice, no matter how painful it was for her. Charlotte knew what Tom and his family meant to Sidney.
- Charlotte? - again called her Sidney.
- Oh, I'm sorry - she said, a little embarrassed - I just..... just a little tired.
- Busy Day? - he asked, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
- Yes, I think so - said Charlotte - too much talk.
- If you want, we can just sit on the cliff and be quiet - Sidney offered - I swear I won't bother you.
Charlotte almost cried when she realized that he still remembered what she loved so much.
- Maybe later. Thanks. Let's go to the cafe - she said.
He smiled and waved her down the path, barely resisting the urge to take her hand. Until that moment, Sidney hadn't realized how much he was still attracted to her. Her every word, movement, and look brought back sweet memories and slowly drove him mad. It was as if his hands were reaching out to touch her face, her hair, not hearing the call of reason and common sense.
They walked slowly along the cobblestone path surrounded by tall grass, exchanging meaningless phrases about Sanditon, the sea, and the weather this year. Sidney wanted to know a lot about her life, but he was afraid to ask.Charlotte was also hesitant to start a conversation. Sidney felt incredibly embarrassed and uneasy about the whole situation, afraid to even imagine what she was thinking.
Finally, they reached the cafe. Sidney carefully opened the door for her and let her in.
He was pleasantly surprised by the situation. He'd seen a lot of places in his life: expensive restaurants and run-down eateries where he'd drowned his grief more than once, but this was something else. Something touching. This little backwater cafe had a soul.
Sidney felt it as soon as he crossed the threshold, instantly immersed in the atmosphere of comfort and calm. No wonder Charlotte liked it here.
He looked around with interest and caught Charlotte's gleeful gaze.
- Isn't it great here? - she asked.
- Yes - Sidney agreed - It feels like I've known this place for a long time, even though I've never been here before.
- Exactly - said Charlotte, smiling - that was the first thing I thought of when I first came here. I knew you'd feel it, too.
Sidney nodded back, thinking again that Charlotte knew him better than he did.
He looked around and smiled, everything about the cafe, from the carved wooden tables to the numerous small lamps hanging from the ivy-covered ceiling beams, seemed so familiar. He felt that he was back home again, where his mother was waiting for him.
They took a table and ordered. There were not many visitors, and in a few minutes a chic table was laid in front of them, which gave off an incredibly delicious smell.
- How did you find this cafe? - he asked - I thought it was a long time since anyone came here, even the path was completely overgrown.
- Let's just say it's a place for initiates - Charlotte said with a smile - This is Fred's cafe.
Sidney looked at her questioningly, trying to remember who she was talking about.
- Fred Robinson - Charlotte continues - a friend of James's who worked together. He designed the cafe, and Fred and the boys built it themselves. Yes, and a couple of years ago, he married Julia Beaufort, and last year they had a wonderful baby girl.
- Unbelievable - Sidney said.
- Well, what doesn't happen in 5 years - Charlotte said, and Sidney heard the sadness in her voice.
- Yes, you're right time can change a lot - he said, but then added with a smile - but not the way you eat wings. You have sauce on your cheek again.
- Oh, shit - Charlotte swore, hastily wiping her face with a napkin - is that better?
- You missed it here - Sidney said, automatically reaching out and wiping the last of the sauce from her soft cheek. Charlotte flinched at his touch, then blushed deeply. Reluctantly, he took his hand away and looked at her. Charlotte only lowered her eyes in embarrassment.
- So what have you been doing for the past five years? - Sidney went on the offensive, feeling that he might not get another chance - how did you end up in Sanditon again?
- Georgiana - she said, smiling - she was very sad to be alone, and she persuaded me to come for the summer.
- But why did you decide to stay? - he asked.
- You know I always liked to be here - Charlotte said - and then I got a job giving riding lessons at the equestrian club.
"Probably The babbingtons were also asked not to tell me anything" - he thought to himself.
- Are you still doing that? - Sidney asked with interest, desperately trying to think of places where he might" accidentally " meet her, and glad that his brother's new project would allow him to be closer to" Denham Place " and Charlotte.
-Generally something Yes - answered she - circle my responsibilities for this time slightly expanded, but Yes.
- How do you like working for the old Lady? - he asked - as far as I know, Sophia is very demanding, or at least Tom is still afraid of Her.
Charlotte smiled brightly.
- Our Lady does not give anyone a descent, that's for sure - she said - in fact, Sofia is not such a monster, you just need to find a common language with her.
- And you seem to have succeeded in it? - Sidney asked.
- You could say that - she said.
- So you're not married? Got a boyfriend? - Sidney asked, secretly hoping to hear "no" . He gripped the napkin so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and Charlotte noticed that.
- Does it matter? - she asked, trying to make her voice more neutral, but looking at his tense face, she added - no... not now...
Sidney's heart leapt with joy. He wanted to laugh and spin Charlotte around in his arms, but instead he just smiled at her and hid his contented face behind a huge Cup of herbal tea.
There was a sudden pause. Charlotte pretended to be interested in the food on her plate again, while Sidney continued to stare at her. Finally, she looked up at him.
- And you? How did you spend all this time? - Charlotte asked.
-  Worked most of the time - he said - and I  was trying to get used to my new life.
- You probably didn't like it? - she asked sympathetically.
- I was very lonely, Charlotte - Sidney said, and she could hear the bitterness in his voice that made her uneasy.
- But you weren't there alone - Charlotte said, trying not to show her excitement. She remembered Esther's words, but she wanted to hear it from Sidney himself - Eliza was there. I thought you'd made up your mind before you left for Australia.
- Yes, but we didn't... - responded Sidney - Charlotte, There was some mistake, you must listen to me...
The phone rang, and Charlotte, startled, searched in her purse for it.
Glancing at the screen, she canceled the call and put the phone down on the table, then looked back at Sidney.
- You won't answer? - he asked.
Charlotte shook her head from side to side.
The phone rang again and she reset it again.
- I'm sorry - Charlotte said - I should have turned the sound off right away.
- It's all right - said Sidney - maybe something urgent and worth answering?
Charlotte took a deep breath and looked at the phone, the last thing she wanted to do right now was talk to anyone other than Sidney.
The phone rang again, this time announcing a new message.
"I hope you're not with Parker! Don't be a fool, go home! People like him don't change! Call me back!"
Charlotte looked at the screen in confusion and turned off the phone.
- Let me guess, this is Georgiana - Sidney suggested.
- Yes, but.... how do you know? - she asked.
- An hour ago, she sent me a long, lengthy message about my return to Sanditon, in which she described in detail how she felt about me and where I should go after that - Sidney replied, smiling.
- My God - said Charlotte - that's just like her. I hope you're not too offended? You know she's not angry.
- Well, I'm still here - Sidney said - and it's not the first time she's done it, and I'm sure it won't be the last. I guess I'm used to it.
- She said she was coming to Sanditon tomorrow - Charlotte admitted  - I hope this doesn't ruin your holiday.
- I think I'll deal with Miss lamb somehow - he said -  Georgiana is no longer my ward, but she will have to listen to me. Sometimes she goes too far. As for recreation, I have much more ambitious plans for this summer.
Sidney suddenly decided that he had to get Charlotte back. But he must act gently, so as not to frighten her. Something in Charlotte's words, demeanor, and looks told him that all was not lost and that he still had a chance. He knew perfectly well that he could be wrong, but he felt that he must try.
She paused again, considering her words Georgianа and Sidney. Everything was confused in her head, and it was hard to breathe. She was hurt that her friend had managed to ruin such a special evening. Contradictions again began to squeeze her head from all sides, not giving her time to come to her senses.
- Are you all right? - Sidney said - We can go back to Sanditon house? Or go to the sea and just look at the waves. What do you want?
"I want to hug and kiss you right now!" - her subconscious screamed. Whatever sorrowful thoughts and doubts she had, it was a torment to be near him and not dare to touch his hands, his face, the small curls on his head, to inhale such a familiar and maddening scent of his skin.
- I'd like to go to the beach - she said quietly.
- As you command - he said - I will pay the waiter.

The sound of the sea finally calmed her and made her forget her worries. She always came here alone, when her heart was sad and empty. Today, she was with Sidney. They walked barefooted through the water, their hands barely touching, and their closeness made her heart leap with an inexplicable joy and delight. She felt his warmth close to her and could not resist the attraction, flying to meet him like a moth to the light. She wanted to know what he was going to say to her in the cafe, but she didn't dare ask and ruin this magical moment.
- I hope you were able to swim today - Charlotte finally asked.
- Unfortunately, no - said Sidney - Tom and the kids didn't give me a chance.
- I understand - said Charlotte - do you want to try it now?
- Only if they're with you - Sidney said.
- Right now? - asked the Charlotte - no, you are kidding? I don't even have a bathing suit with me.
He looked at her pointedly, letting her know that there were other options for bathing.
- Sidney Parker! - Charlotte exclaimed morally, but she couldn't help but smile - What do you think you're doing?
Sidney laughed so hard and loud that it made her feel light-hearted.
- What? - she asked - what did I say that was so funny?
- I remembered how you caught me there on the rocks - he said, still laughing - and then got out of there.
- Hey, I was actually collecting seashells - Charlotte exclaimed - and then you came out of the deep sea and you were naked. What was I supposed to do? Give you a medal? Make a juicy video? 
- And you absolutely brazenly went ashore, accusing me of deliberately setting you up an ambush - continued Charlotte - I was terrified!
Sidney couldn't stop laughing. He suddenly felt so happy, standing here in the moonlight with Charlotte and discussing such simple and seemingly almost forgotten things. She laughed with him, making his heart beat faster and faster.
Sidney moved closer to Charlotte and gently touched her hair.
- You have no idea how much I've missed you - he said in a barely audible voice.