Chapter Two
Charlotte
I park my car at a small waterfront seafood restaurant in the Back Bay of Boston to meet Lily for lunch.
“Hey! Over here!” Lily says, waving her arms, and I head over to her.
“Wow, you got us a spot by the window. They're usually always taken.”
“I know! Isn't this view amazing.”
I look out the large glass windows and into the Atlantic Ocean. The summer sun beams down on the water’s surface, making it shimmer like a blanket of sparkling light. I love living on the coast, being so close to the water. Even if I don't venture into it very often, just hearing the waves is enough for me. It's so beautiful and soothing .
“Gosh, I feel like I haven't seen you in weeks!” Lily gushes.
“Well, that's because it has been weeks. I'm sorry. I just… I haven't been able to get away for that long. Jason’s been… extra, lately.”
Her expression drops, and then she glances at my lip, scowling. I guess I did a shit job covering my split and bruised lip.
“Charly… I—”
“Can we not right now?”
“Of course.” Her face softens, and she instantly waves it off. “So, there’s a painting class a couple blocks from my condo on Friday. You wanna go? Might be a nice and fun way for you to get back into it.”
I stopped painting a few years ago when any joy I had was ripped away from me. It was one of the things that made me happy, getting to express myself artistically. But back then, I was a different me. Still whole and not a shell of a person. Slowly over time, not even painting offered a sliver of joy. I started to laugh less, smile less. My playful personality extinguished. All that was left were sad, pathetic ashes slowly blowing away in the wind.
“I don't know, Lily. I'm not sure I'm feeling up for it.”
“You don't have to make any decisions now. You got a few days. Just think about it, okay?”
I nod.
“So my mom hired a pool boy and apparently he’s super fucking hot. Makes me want to move back home just to get that sweet perk.”
“Oh man, your dad must love that.”
“Eh, he’s too busy to care.”
“Would you really consider moving back home? They've been trying to pull you back for like ever.”
“I don't know. I love having my own place, complete privacy, no staff lingering about. But I do miss that pool. Maybe I should just visit, check out this pool boy. Maybe pretend to drown or something and let him give me mouth to mouth.”
“Oh my god, you totally would!” I laugh. “You have been single for way too long. You should go have some fun.”
“Come with me! He starts this weekend. Let’s have a day in the sun. You know Marty is always cooking up bomb-ass food. We can be waited on and pig out by the pool. And my mother would love to see you.”
“That does sound nice and I haven't seen Susan in forever.”
“Ok, done! I’ll call her later and tell her this weekend. Saturday works?” She swipes through her phone excitedly. “Perfect! Saturday is gonna be in the eighties, all sun!”
“Ok. Yea. That works.”
I told Jason I'm going with Lily to visit her mom. It surprisingly didn't bother him like it usually does everytime I leave the house without him, which is rare anyway.
I pick up Lily, then we drive the hour and a half to her parents' extravagant property by the water with their private beach area. It’s hard to believe Lily wouldn't want to stay here. It's stunning. A coastal oasis. Everything is so bright and clean, an amazingly kept landscape with hundreds of plants and flowers. The property looks like it belongs somewhere exotic and not just in Cape Cod.
“Charlotte, my dear! It’s so good to see you. Tell our Lily she should visit more often and bring you along,” Susan greets me with a loving hug. A mother’s hug, one I haven't been privileged enough to experience. My mother abandoned me and my father when I was a toddler. She didn't want me, didn't want her family .
“I tell her all the time, Mama Sue!” I flash a cheeky smile to Lily as she rolls her eyes.
“Come in, come in. Martin has just started on some lunch. You girls hungry?”
“Starving.”
Martin has been the family’s personal chef for over ten years, and he always makes the most delicious food.
“We’re gonna head out to the pool. Can Marty bring it out to us when it’s ready?” Lily asks.
“Of course, sweetie. Go enjoy the gorgeous weather. Food will be out soon.”
We make our way to the back patio and to the giant pool that has no business being that big. The pool house doors open right when we sit on the lounge chairs and out walks a tall, athletically built man, looking like an old-school Baywatch hunk. With golden, sun-kissed skin and hair.
He runs a hand through his blond strands before noticing us. He then flashes a pearly smile and begins walking toward us.
“Hey Lil, close your mouth before a bug hits the back of your throat,” I tease, when I catch her gaping at him.
“I'd like something to hit the back of my throat.”
“You whore! Geez, get it together.” I laugh and swat her arm.
“Hey. Would you ladies like some towels?” the golden god asks.
Sweat glistens across his chest and toned abs. I look over at Lily, and I swear the bitch is fucking drooling and in a trance. She’s gonna fuck this up.
“Uh, yes. Yes, we would definitely love some towels. Thank you,” I quickly say.
Lily snaps out of it just enough to offer him a small smile before he walks to the pool house to fetch us some towels.
“Holy fucking shit, Charly! Did you see him? ”
“I have eyes, Lil. Of course I saw him. This is your lucky day.”
“I need a fucking drink if I’m gonna have any balls talking to him. What if he doesn’t find me attractive? What if he doesn't want to hook up with his employer's daughter?”
Lily is one of those effortlessly gorgeous girls who doesn’t even realize it, which makes her even more attractive. She has naturally curly, dark blonde hair and beautiful hazel eyes. She’s slender with small perky breasts and her curvy ass is certainly something to be admired.
“There’s no way he’s not gonna think you're a total babe. You’re part of your family so he technically works for you. Boss his ass to eat your pussy and go from there.”
“Charly! Who’s the whore now!” We giggle like little school girls before the pool hottie returns, holding a few towels and a couple bottles.
“Thank you so much. I'm Lily. Susan and Scott are my parents, and this is my best friend, Charlotte.”
“I know who you are.” He smiles with a glint in his blue eyes. “I've been in the main house and have seen the family photos on the walls. Although, the pictures don’t do you justice. I'm Nate. It’s nice to meet you both.” Another flash of his pearly whites, and Lily parts her lips. She quickly catches herself and returns the sweet smile. “If you ladies need anything else, just holler.” With that, he leaves us.
“Oh. My. God. Did that really just happen?” Lily says with wide eyes and red cheeks.
“Oh Lil. The rest of your summer is gonna be awesome. And I want to hear every dirty detail.” I pull off my bikini coverup, put my sunglasses on and lean back on the chaise.
Three hours of drinking, eating, and swimming in the sun, and I am already feeling exhausted.
I climb out of the pool and collapse onto the lounge chair and close my eyes for a moment. Lily and Nate are flirting and splashing around in the water like little kids. They’ve really hit it off so far. He seems adventurous and spontaneous like Lily so they would make a great pair.
Soon, Lily lies down beside me, letting out a long sigh. I roll over and look at her.
“You two are adorable.”
She giggles and throws a round cushion at me.
Nate skims the pool, removing any bugs or debris.
“How’s your dad?” she asks.
“Um, he’s all right. Back in rehab, a new one.”
“Oh man, I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I actually prefer when he’s in rehab. At least I know he’s being watched and taken care of, ya know?”
“Yea. I get that.”
“I talked to him the other day and he sounded really good. He’ll be at this place for at least six months.”
“That’s good. You can worry a lot less for a few months.”
“I definitely need the mental break from that. And when—”
“Hey girls, we have another visitor.” Susan interrupts me from behind us.
We both turn to look at the person walking out from the patio door and into the backyard.
No.
Shit.
“Um, Charly. What is he doing here?”
“Shit, Lily, I have no freaking idea.”
Jason casually strolls toward us, pushing his sunglasses up over his light brown hair, then puts his hands in his pockets. He may be coming across unbothered, but I know that look in his dark eyes, and the closer he gets, the more confirmation I receive that this is not going to end well.
For me, at least.
“Charlotte. Lily. Beautiful day, isn't it,” he chirps. He then looks up and down my bikini clad body then looks over to the pool, eyes landing on Nate in all his shirtless glory. His brows lower and a scowl forms.
Shit.
“Hey, babe. Want to join us?” I offer, trying to play it cool.
“I think it’s time to go, Charlotte. Now.” His eyes are still on Nate who finally notices Jason staring at him. Sweet Nate just waves at him and continues his work.
I fight the urge to bring my hand to my face in embarrassment.
“Um, Jason. Hi, how’s it going? We’re just having some girl time and catching up. She’ll be back in a couple hours,” Lily says with a forced smile.
Jason's eyes snap to her. “I think she’s had enough girl time . Let’s go, Charlotte.”
“But I drove Lily here. I gotta take her back home.”
“Leave your car for her. You're coming with me.”
“Jason come on, that's a bit ridiculous.”
“Charlotte, get your stuff and come with me now,” he demands.
Lily whispers, “Charly, you're safe here. You don't have to go. Please don't go.”
I flash Lily a warm but sad smile. “It’s okay, Lil. Drive my car back for me? I’ll call you later.” I don’t want to cause more of a scene so I get up and gather my things, noticing that Nate has been watching our interaction intensely.
“I love you,” Lily says.
“I love you too. Bye.”