"So, what movie did you have in mind?"
Charlie seems to shake herself out of her thoughts. "Oh, um, there's that new action movie. I know you love those."
I give a small smile. "You hate action movies."
"I don't hate them." She mumbles. "Besides there's a healthy dose of romance included with this one." she gives me a conspirator's grin and my anxiety dissolves, finding my best friend staring back at me.
I laugh, "Which new actor has stolen Charlotte Hudson's heart this time?"
She rolls her eyes but grins wider. "Have you seen Ryan Hastings?" She laughs, "You could cook a five-course meal on that man's abs."
I shake my head with a laugh, "Is he the love interest?"
She shakes her head, "The bad guy."
"Even better." I quip, slipping from the seat when Charlie pulls into the theatre parking.
Minutes later we're taking our seats and digging into handfuls of popcorn while I wait to meet Ryan Hastings and see what exactly about him has my best friend swooning.
• • •
Charlotte pulls to a stop outside my house, and I get out, ducking to look back at her with a smile but her face is white, her eyes flicking between Leon's car out the front, the house, and my face.
"Charlie?"
She blinks like she's somewhere else. Then she clears her throat. "I should probably head home."
"Do you want to come in?"
Her eyes flick to the house again. She doesn't answer straight away, her hand moving to her ribs like she's soothing an ache.
"Not tonight. I'm not feeling too good."
I almost want to get back in the car and ask her what's wrong, demand answers but Charlie's never been the type to open up when someone demands stuff. She'll shut down harder.
Because something is wrong. There's no denying it anymore.
And whatever it is, I have the sinking feeling I'm part of it.
For a moment it felt like maybe we were okay. Like maybe I wasn't lying to my best friend.
I watch her drive away, that pit of guilt in my stomach opening wide with a ravaging hunger because I am lying to my best-friend.
Charlie knows about the deal I made with Asher; she has to. Why else would she be acting so strangely?
I turn and make my way into the house, chewing my lip as I think about what I should do.
Who am I kidding, there is only one choice to make.
We made a promise to never have a man come between us. And now I can feel it starting to.
I have to cut everything off with Asher.
I have to come clean to Charlotte and just hope that I haven't completely ruined my friendship in the process.
In the living room, I find Leon and Asher playing a game on the TV. Leon glances up when he hears me, but it's Asher's eyes that make me stop dead in my tracks. His gaze is intense, filled with a mixture of emotions that make my heart race.
Leon breaks the silence. "Hey, Ivy. What happened to Charlie? She didn't want to come in?" He looks behind me like Charlie will walk through the door any second and I shake my head.
