“Sienna and Evan are coming around tonight to talk to me about something. I’d like you there,” I confess to him.
“Okay,” he answers, and I can see he has a million and one questions, but he knows now is not the time to ask. Instead, he leans in again and kisses me as if trying to reassure me everything is going to be okay. “I’ve got you whatever it is.”
And I know he means it. I’m just not sure what is coming for me.
Charlie jumps out of his car. The valet has been waiting for us to finish my mini freak out, and walks around and opens the door for me, like the gentleman he is. He takes my hand in his and gives it a squeeze.
“Ready?” he asks.
No.
Not even a little.
But I nod anyway. “Yeah.”
We walk into the restaurant, he gives his name at the door, and we are ushered in by the Maître d'. He leads me toward a table near the back, where a tall man with serious eyes and Charlie’s exact mouth shape stands when he sees us.Charlie’s dad.He pulls Charlie into a hug so warm and heartfelt I feel my chest twist. Then his dad turns to me, reaching out to shake my hand with a surprisingly bright smile.
“Derrick,” he says warmly. “We finally meet.”
I swallow hard, forcing a smile. “It’s an honor, sir.” I shake his hand before greeting his mother and sister and taking my seat.
Charlie barely hides his smirk. He knows I’m dying. He squeezes my hand under the table as we sit.
“Relax,” he whispers. “I’ve got you.”
I wish that were enough.
But all I can think about, even as his dad starts talking, even as Charlie beams at me like I’m the only person in the room, is the letter waiting to ruin everything.
Charlie’s mum is talking about the gala they’re attending in a couple of weeks, something about old friends flying in from New York, when my phone buzzes in my pocket.
Sienna.
Charlie is mid-conversation with his sister when my fingers flick the screen open under the table.
Sienna: We landed early.
I swallow hard and force myself to look up, nodding along to something Charlie’s dad is saying about a work trip to London, but the words don’t land. They float past me like muffled noise.
My phone buzzes again.
Sienna: Please don’t stress. We’ll bring it over tonight. Can’t wait to hear how lunch is going.
Charlie glances at me … and the second he sees my face, the smile falters.
Just a fraction.
Just enough.
He squeezes my thigh under the table.
“Are you okay?” he whispers, his eyes landing on the phone in my hand, which is rude of me to be looking at.
I nod too fast as I put my phone away.
He raises one eyebrow, the‘I don’t fucking believe you’eyebrow, but turns back to his dad, giving me space. Bless him. I don’t deserve him.
I try to focus.
