Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“I thought that was already on lockdown?”
I nod. “Just some fine-print last-minute stuff. The deal is as good as done.” I don’t know why I don’t tell him that it’s the same practice that Charlotte works for. I guess I just want to keep her and that knowledge to myself for a little while longer. Besides, what would I tell him? That I enjoy the hell out of kissing his now ex-future sister-in-law? Nah, Lincoln has been around since the day I met her. He’ll read too much into it.
“Nice— Oh, shit,” he says, his shoulders falling.
“What?”
“Don’t look now, but Charlotte and Audrey just walked in.”
I look because, of course, I fucking do. This is Charlotte we’re talking about. If she’s in my orbit, I have to lay eyes on her. They’re making their way to a table closer to the bar. Charlotte’s long auburn hair hangs in loose waves down her back, and she’s wearing a jean skirt and a tank top. Nothing spectacular. More than half of the women in this bar are dressed the same way, but none of them stand out the way Charlotte does.
“I’m going to go,” Linc says as the waitress appears at our table. “Can I get a to-go box? I’m sorry,” he tells her.
“Sure. I’ll be right back. Do you want one too?” she asks me.
I know that I should go. I know that I should support my best friend, but the woman who has consumed my every thought for the last two weeks is here, and I’m taking that as a sign. “No, thank you.”
“Sorry, man,” Lincoln replies.
“It’s all good. It’s going to be like this for a while, but the two of you talked, right?”
“Yeah, we did. We’re good. We both know this is what was best, but it’s still pretty raw, and I don’t want to put her through that. I’m going to slip out.”
“I got the bill,” I tell him as the server brings him a box.
“You sure?”
“Positive. You can get the next.”
“Thanks, Spence. I’ll call you later.” He quickly dumps his plate into the to-go box, slides off his stool, and moves out the door as quickly as he can.
As for me, I move to his seat so that I can see the girls. I watch as they talk, and Audrey gives Charlie a hug and disappears out the door. Looks like she noticed Lincoln too. My guess is they’re both leaving to avoid the other. I’m picking up my plate and my sweet tea and moving toward her table before I can think better of it.
“Looks like your company bailed too,” I say when I reach her.
Charlotte glances up at me and smiles softly. “Yeah, I think it’s just too soon.” She doesn’t need to elaborate. We both know she’s referring to Lincoln and Audrey seeing each other.
“Mind if I join you?” I ask, setting my plate and drink on the counter.
“Sure.”
I was going to anyway, and we both know it. This night just got a whole lot more interesting.
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Charlotte
I should have informed him I was leaving. I should have left with my sister, but something told me to stay. Part of me hoped that Spencer might stop and say hello. I haven’t seen him this week. I thought that I would have, and I refuse to think about why I wanted to see him. I tell myself it’s just what I expected. Not what I wanted.
However, here I am, telling him he can keep me company when I know it’s a bad idea. I sip my beer, not really tasting it, as Spencer takes the stool next to mine.
“Are you eating?” he asks.
“I wasn’t going to.”
He slides his plate closer to me. “Help me out, Charlie.” He nods toward his plate. “We both know the wings here are like crack and don’t get me started on the ooey-gooeyness of the cheese sticks.”
I can’t help it. I smile. “Is that your professional opinion, Mr. CEO?” There is teasing in my tone, and it’s friendly, not at all filled with the venom our barbs usually hold.
“It is if that’s what it takes for you to eat with me.”
I look down at the plate. The food does look delicious, and my sister and I were planning on eating. When Audrey left, I decided I was going to finish my drink and head home, but now, I might stay a little longer than planned. I’d blame the alcohol, but this is my first, and it’s not even half empty.
“Let me help.” I watch as Spencer picks up a cheese stick, dips it into the pizza sauce, and holds it up for me. “Open for me, Charlie.”
My mouth opens without my consent, and he places the cheesy goodness in my mouth. I take a bite and pull back. I take my time chewing as I watch him take the rest of the cheese stick and pop it into his mouth.