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“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Oh, come on. You think you aren’t enough and Ali thinks she’s too much,” Imani explained, lifting her finger to tap her chin. “Those are practically textbook.”

Charlotte’s lips parted…

“You’re both overthinking and catastrophizing when all you need is honest communication.”

Imani rose to her feet, brushing an imaginary speck from her sleeve.

“You’ve changed since Ali, you know. When things go wrong, you keep calm. You don’t spiral the way you used to. You’re more open. Looser. Everyone can see it.” She gestured to the fogged windows and the hum of employees beyond them. “Compose has never been better.” She leveled Charlotte with an affectionate gaze, warm eyes full of sincerity. “You are deserving of happiness, Char.”

She took a few steps toward the door, pausing in the threshold and turning back to Charlotte, expression sincere.

“I just hope you’re brave enough to fight for it.”

Imani was right, of course. About everything.

She popped her head back in, a wry grin on her face. “Better hurry before I shoot my shot.”

Charlotte snorted, flipping Imani off. Her friend retreated with a cackle.

Charlotte pulled out her phone, opened Ali’s text thread. Her breath caught at the three little dots blinking on the screen. Ali wanted to talk to her. But as the dots disappeared, she could easily imagine Ali struggling to find the right words.

The little dots appeared again.

Her chest tightened. She wanted every word Ali had to give, no matter how messy or painful. Even if this ended, she never wanted Ali to feel alone. They’d helped each other heal too much to give it all up and disappear from each other’s lives.

That alone was worth fighting for.

Charlotte shot to her feet, snatching up her purse.

“I’m stepping out,” she called to Aurora as she rushed out of her office. “Reschedule whatever’s left on my calendar.”

She needed to go to the florist and one other errand before she picked Ali up.

41

ALI

As it turned out, she needn’t have worried.

The moment Ali opened her front door, every anxious thought scattered at the sight of Charlotte bumping the passenger door closed with her hip, a massive vase cradled in her arms, overflowing with ruby-red roses.

“Babes, you shouldn’t have!” Ali scolded, meeting her on the stoop, accepting the heavy vase and an affectionate kiss to her cheek.

“Of course I should have,” Charlotte smiled wide, faint laugh lines crinkling at the corners of her eyes. “It’s your big night. Flowers are the minimum requirement.”

Her gaze dropped to the blooms, admiring the array of perfect petals curled around each center. If Ali knew the symbolism, then plant-loving Charlotte had to. Judging by the size of the bouquet, perhaps this was Charlotte’s way of shouting from the rooftops. From the very beginning, Charlotte supported and encouraged her in all things. Every logical interpretation of her actions suggested Charlotte wanted more. They just needed to talk everything out, get on the same page, and make a plan.

Ali wouldn’t be gone that long, they could make it work.

Charlotte leaned in, her perfume curling around Ali making her head spin. “Do you need help putting those somewhere you’ll see them every day?”

Ali let out a nervous laugh. “Maybe.”

There weren’t many places left to hold such an enormous bouquet. Her side table would have to do.

“I have another present for you in the car,” Charlotte added, sauntering past her into the empty apartment, black slacks held up by suspenders hugged her hips just right.