After everything with the studio, Mason, and his dad, I feel like I’ve let myself go. I’m ready to getmeback—nothing like a girls’ weekend to pull me out of my funk.
There’s a spring in my step as I exit my apartment, feeling better than I have in weeks.
Sliding my key in the lock, I do a little happy dance, my excitement too much to contain.
I’m actually going to work out!
“Nina.”
“Holy fuck!” I scream, my hands grasping my chest as my keys clunk to the ground.
Charlie’s broad smile beams at me from his spot against the wall. He must have been waiting for me. “Charlie, you scared the life out of me. Why didn’t you knock?”
“Sorry.” He chuckles, but his face quickly grows solemn. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say to be honest.”
My eyes are still wide, and my heart pounds. “Is everyone okay?”
“Yeah. But I do have some things to tell you.” He scratches his brow. “If you’re not busy, of course.”
“Sure, come in.”
Unlocking the door, I pray I didn’t leave anything incriminating out. I don’t think I did, but I also wasn’t expecting visitors.
I search the room discreetly but don’t spot anything out of place.
“Do you want a drink?” I ask, unsure why he’s even here.
“No, I’m good.” He rubs his hands together, looking anywhere but at me.
My stomach knots, nerves twisting me up inside. “Is everything okay, Charlie?”
He swallows hard, nodding. “There are some things I think you deserve to know, but I want to make sure you understand what knowing the truth means.”
We both stand in my tiny apartment, looking at one another. I feel like a deer in headlights, not knowing what to do.
“Do you want to sit down?” he asks.
“Sure. Sorry.” I move to sit on the sofa and he follows me.
“Don’t apologise. I should have called ahead.”
He seems uncomfortable, which makes me feel awkward. Charlie has always been the easiest one for me to talk to out of all the guys. “Does Mason know you’re here?”
“No.” His brows lift as he thinks on that. “He will be pissed at me, no doubt, but I know he won’t tell you.” He looks at me and gives me a tight smile. “You seem to be doing good. You look well.”
If only he knew.
“I’ve always been good at blocking out the bad. But I was about to head out to the gym before, and I’m going to find a studio so I can build my business again. Get myself back on track.”
“That’s fantastic.” He smiles at me, but it’s forced and I can tell he is anxious.
“What is it, Charlie?” I ask, needing him to spit it out.
“It’s about Mason and the studio, and Cara,” he mutters, looking down at his feet.
Cara?
“You mean the reason he sold it?” I frown, waiting for him to explain. “Charlie, none of this makes sense to me.”
