Page 5 of About That Pact

Her light blue eyes shot daggers. “Not that I can say in front of our server.”

Rarely did Charlotte spend time with Rafe. Despite the big vacation their parents put together every year, she avoided him like the plague. It had all started after she graduated from high school. One misstep, and everything changed.

With that memory, it was time to go.

“Well, it’s been interesting,” she said, hopping off her chair to get away from him. She took a moment of silence, one for leaving the wine and another to keep from screaming at the effect this man had on her.

“You always did find me interesting.”

“You are unbelievable.” She pushed her hair over her shoulder. “I don’t have cash on me, can you pay and I Venmo my portion?”

His sinister smirk appeared again. “I can handle the tab. But, just as a reminder, you owe me at least five favors. You asked a lot of questions.”

Rafe Bianchi was the worst. She gave him the middle finger and left him on his own for happy hour.

Chapter 2

SUNDAY CAME AROUND, and Charlotte went to her parents’ house for dinner. She sat on a rocking chair outside with her mom, Carly, to catch up. Enjoying the breeze coming from the bay, she listened to her mom’s chatter as she excitedly went over her retirement plan. She was a nurse at a local hospital, and after forty years, she was ready to hang up her scrubs.

“It’s six months away and I’ll miss work, but I look forward to not having a schedule. I can’t wait to see my friends more. It’ll be nice to sleep in or stay up late reading a book.” Her mother was relaxed as she went on about the wonderful idea of not working. “I can finally pay attention to the garden. I always wanted to sell the different jams and other spreads I make at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.”

Charlotte swayed the chair. Her mom would love working at the farmers market and her food would be a hit. Whenever Charlotte had an office potluck, she always haggled her mom for one of the spreads to pair with a veggie tray and chips.

“What about Dad? I doubt he plans to retire anytime soon. Do you think you’ll get lonely during the day?” Charlotte was concerned about her. Perhaps, she was a bit of rain of her mom’s parade, but she wanted to make sure every aspect had been considered. She never made a decision without overanalyzing every possible outcome first.

Her mom flapped her hand as if it were no big deal. “That man will be taking cases until the legal system tells him he can’t. He loves law that much.”

“That’s why I bring it up. Don’t you worry you’ll get bored without work?”

Her mom patted her leg. “Charlotte, honey, you can’t let work be your only form of entertainment or your identity. I love nursing, I started when I was twenty-two and never stopped, but I’ve always had other aspects to my life that bring me joy. You’re acting like retirement is a death sentence.”

Charlotte shook her shirt for some air around her neck. Not working was a death sentence. Just thinking of it made her anxious. She couldn’t wrap her head around not having a career. What would she do without her job? Outside of her family and friends, HR was her top priority.

“I worry about you, Mom. I don’t want you to feel restless or be jaded with nothing to do.”

Her mom had a big toothy grin. “I have plenty of interests to keep me busy. Plus, one day you and Jason will be settled down.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean when you settle down in a relationship and have children one day.”

“Mom!” Charlotte shrieked. The thought of children was so far off her radar. She was thirty-one and absorbed in her career. She didn’t have time for dating and the drama attached to it—and no dating meant no husband.

“Don’t you ‘mom’ me. You always wanted a big family. When it happens, I’ll be the best grandma out there.”

Jason joined them outside, but stopped in the doorway. “Grandma?” he asked, his face going pale.

Charlotte chuckled as her brother fidgeted. “Don’t worry. None of your randoms are pregnant. That we know of, anyway.”

“Charlotte Jane, don’t be crude,” her mom chided.

Jason sat in the patio chair next to her. “Crude? Is now not the time to mention I always use protection?”

Carly stood up. “Actually, that does reassure me, but I was talking about Charlotte. She’s worrying about me retiring and getting lonely. I reminded her I will have time to be a wonderful grandma whenever she’s ready to settle down and have some kiddos of her own.”

Another person joined them on the patio.

“Why are we talking about kids?”