“Tell us what?” Christian appeared out of nowhere. His burgundy suit complemented Penny’s dark green dress, and she too slid her arm into his as she frowned at me.
“What’s going on? Why is Santa not at his post?”
“Bathroom,” I said, a little breathless. “But I just got a call and…”
“And what?” Christian jumped in, impatient as always. “Are you alright?”
“The junior high athletic director wants me to take over the youth softball league and coach at the junior high level. He wants me to create the program!”
A chorus ofhell yeahs echoed in the entrance to the restaurant. The noise caused my mom to pop her head into the foyer. “What are we celebrating?”
“Charlotte was offered a coaching job at the junior high. Impressed the AD there so much, he wanted her for the role,” Penny responded for me.
“That’s my girl. See, everything happens for a reason.” My mom yanked me into a hug before hollering for my dad. “Come over here, hon. You gotta hear this news.”
It was a cuddle puddle. Hugs and congrats and back pats and squeezes. My eyes watered again, some combination of happiness and gratitude for this bunch. They were my rocks, through good and bad, and I was so dang grateful for them.
Sniffing, I squeezed my parents tight before pulling back. “Okay, I can’t become a full mess.”
“You’re not a total mess, Char.” Penny grabbed my hand. “I’m taking her to the bathroom to clean her up.”
“That implies I’m a mess,” I joked.
“You have raccoon eyes.” Christian smiled at me, pride beaming from his face. “You’re a beautiful trash panda.”
“Don’t call your sister a trash panda, Christian Michael,” my mom scolded him like we were kids again.
Rolling her eyes, Penny guided me toward the ladies’ room, when my skin tingled in a very different type of way. Awareness. The thud of my heart grew louder and louder, racing in my ears as I sucked in a breath.
Hayden walked into the restaurant wearing his glasses, and his gaze landed right on me. I was not prepared for the impact of seeing him. I knew he’d be here tonight. Of course he would be. He was Christian’s best man. The pang in my chest ached.
He wore an emerald-green sweater over a collared shirt, and his posture was relaxed.How unfair.
His lips curved up in a slight smile as he stared at me.
My stomach flip-flopped.
How dare he seem happy and smile at me?
Penny pulled, forcing me to go to the right as I ducked my head. I wasn’t ready to talk to him yet. I wasn’t sure if I ever would be but definitely not with raccoon eyes.
“Girl.” Penny closed the bathroom door. “I’ve been patient. I’ve been kind. I’m sick of it. Tell me what’s going on with Hayden.”
I laughed as I grabbed a tissue to wipe under my eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Bull-freaking-shit.” She hopped onto the counter despite the sign that readNO SITTING ON COUNTERTOP. “Hayden told me there was something last weekend when I was barfing my brains out in the bathroom. Do not lie to me, Charlotte Renee. He seemed so smitten and happy?”
“Hayden ended it.” My throat tightened. I sniffed, and Penny ran a hand over my back.
“Why? It’s clear to everyone you love each other. You’ve kinda danced around it for years, and we all thought,Maybe next year.”
“Sure. We might, but he ended it.” I wiped under my other eye, removing evidence of the eyeliner gone wild. “With Gwen’s mom coming back into the picture, he wanted to take a step back because it’s complicated. I offered to support him in any way, but I can’t force him to be with me, you know? He made his choice. I have to deal with my heart on my own.”
“Hm.” She frowned. “Pregnant brides can get away with crime, yeah?”
I snorted. “Probably, but please, I just want to survive tonight and get through the wedding.”
“Survivemy wedding? No. No ma’am. This will be the event of a lifetime. You will have fun and drink for me since I have this boring lemon water instead.”
