She gave him a small smile and they went back to eating. It was time to leave before she had to hint at it. He finished off the sandwich and rinsed his plate. “I’d better go.”
She walked him to the door, probably eager to get rid of him.
***
After he left, Elsie threw herself into cleaning up the living room, putting away boxes and creating a pile that needed to be mailed. She’d take it all to the post office in the morning. How had they managed to start a fight over a sandwich? And why had she let herself turn it into something else? Her mouth got her in so much trouble sometimes.
She vacuumed the carpet, cleaned up the kitchen, and took a shower. Jane still wasn’t home, and she wanted to talk to her about Will. Or any subject that would get her mind off him. Anything would be better than churning the situation around in her mind with no clear answer in sight.
Elsie eyed her phone. Was Charlotte really in a relationship with Collin? They’d been friends long enough that Elsie could ask, and Charlotte wouldn’t lie. It was none of Elsie’s business, except that someone had to tell Charlotte what a dumb idea it was. Who chased after someone because they had money?
Maybe she’d test the waters first with a text. Then Charlotte could ignore it or put it off if she wasn’t ready to talk about it yet.
Are you dating Collin?
The little dots populating a response came and went several times. Finally, Charlotte texted back.
I’m sorry, Elsie. I should have told you.
Why are you sorry? I’m just curious.
I know things didn’t work out between you two. I didn’t mean to jump right in after.
Elsie started to type out a response and then immediately erased it. Charlotte actually thought she’d be jealous? What was there to be jealous of?
Don’t take this the wrong way, Char. Is this about his money?
He’s a good guy and he likes me. Mostly I just want to get out of this town. Collin’s using his connections to get me a job at a nice salon in L.A. and an apartment of my own. I’m 26. I don’t want to live with my parents forever.
So she’ll live off a rich guy. But Elsie couldn’t say that. Charlotte was honest to a fault. And practical. So practical she never worried about intangible things like love. She wouldn’t spend all his money, but she wouldn’t turn it down either. If Collin was this desperate to be in a relationship, then Charlotte was doing him a service, because the next gal he propositioned after one date would bleed him dry.
She couldn’t wait to tell Jane, though she knew her sister would naively wish the couple happiness and true love. That seemed about as likely as an alien invasion. And right then, a jingle of keys sounded outside the front door. Elsie jumped up. In her stocking feet, she slid across the tile floor in one move and leaped to the carpet. Too bad no one was around to appreciate her secret talent.
“Jane!”’ Elsie flipped the lock and opened the door for her sister. “You’ll never guess—”
Jane looked up from her keys with red-rimmed eyes.
“What’s the matter?”
Jane burst into tears and rushed past her, grabbing the box of tissues they always kept on a table in the living room. She blew her nose loudly and sank to the floor, putting her back against the couch.
“I’m so dumb.”
“No, you’re not.” Elsie went over and sat next to her. Jane was still crying too much to explain more, so Elsie waited, calculating out how long Charlie had been in Meryton. Very few things upset Jane like this, and Elsie realized just how far Jane must have fallen for him.
“Charlie’s leaving?” Elsie finally asked.
Jane nodded and wiped her nose on her sleeve, despite the handful of tissues she was clutching. “He said it’s been fun and he’s so glad he got to know me. Oh, Elsie. I feel like the biggest fool.”
“He’s the biggest fool.”
Jane shook her head. “Don’t say that.” As hurt as she was, she was still defending him.
“So, that’s it?”
“Yep.”
“I can’t believe it. He was really that casual about it?”
