“No, I’m not, Charlotte. I envy how put together and organized you are. You always know what’s next and how you’re going to tackle it. I feel like I wing every moment of every day of my life.”
“And I envy that,” I admit. “To wake up and not feel like you have to go down a checklist in order to be successful, and if plan Adoesn’t work, then plan B better, and if plan B is a wash, then I hope I had a plan C.”
Holly offers a small, understanding smile. “I just…I met you and thought you were amazing. And the more we got to know each other, the more I liked you. I guess I was hoping we’d be friends even after the wedding. And then when I found out that you were Ben’s ex…that you’re Charlie…it intimidated me.”
“But it shouldn’t,” I insist, leaning in more. “Holly, Ben adores you. I know he does because I can see it in the way he looks at you. It’s a look he never gave me.”
Holly nods and a small smile creeps across her lips. “Yeah. He really is something.”
“See?” I ask. “It’s right. You’re right for each other. Even if the situation is a mess.”
“I guess it was silly of me to be intimidated. But once I found out that you were Charlie, his ex with the cute nose and the snort laugh, I don’t know. I got in my head,” she admits.
“He said I have a cute nose?” I ask, and she nods. Then we both laugh, and of course, mine is a snort.
“Men are idiots,” she says with a sigh, and we both relax a little, taking sips of our coffees. Then I grew serious again.
“Do me a favor,” I tell her. “Don’t call it off. And don’t return the dress. Don’t let my mistakes and Ben’s mistakes affect what is meant to be.”
“Gavin did say that if we still want to get married, we can do something smaller at the resort,” she says. “I think he’s trying to fix things with Ben, but Ben is still pretty hurt.”
“He’ll come around,” I say.
“Can I be honest about something?” Holly asks, biting her lip. “I don’t love the dress.”
“You don’t?” I ask, completely surprised.
“No. It’s not really me. I just…you loved it and I figured if you love it, it must be the right dress. But I kind of want to wear something else.”
“Then wear something else,” I insist. “Just because I love it doesn’t mean you have to. Ben loves you for you.”
She nods, and it’s quiet for a moment. Sentence by sentence, things are starting to feel better.
“Can I be honest with you now?” I ask, and she nods.
“Of course,”
“I was really, really hoping we could still be friends.”
“I was too,” she says. “So tell me…girl to girl, lips sealed…what is going on with you and Gavin?” she grins. I can feel my cheeks growing hot. I cover my face with my hands.
“I don’t know,” I say through my fingers. “It’s wild. I met him at a bar after Ben and I broke up. I have to be honest; I have a thing for older guys.”
“I don’t blame you,” she says. “Not when they look like that.”
“These Lacey men,” I say, shaking my head.
“Right? Even Gavin’s brother is sexy as fuck,” she laughs.
“We hooked up. Totally thought it would be a one-time thing. Then I found out I was pregnant, got the email from you andI thought…perfect. I might actually be able to provide for this baby. Then when I went to the resort and met you and saw him…”
“Jesus,” she shakes her head. “No wonder you didn’t know what to do. That’s a lot, Charlotte.”
“It was. It still is. I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t want to ruin your wedding. And I needed the money…”
“I understand,” she says sweetly. “You must have been terrified.”
God, can this woman be any more wonderful? Tears well in my eyes.
