Chapter Twenty #2
She looked around when she reached the top of the stairs. She knew many of the girls, but there were a lot of new faces, too. She spotted Holly and Laura standing by the bar and made her way over to them.
“Hey, girlfriend,” said Laura with a smile. “I’m glad we finally get to socialize. I feel like I’m behind with you. I missed out on your big return and we’ve only had chance to talk shop so far. What are you drinking?”
“I’ll take a Margarita, thanks. It’s good to see you, too. I’ll be honest, I felt a little weird coming tonight.”
“And just why would you ever feel weird here? You’re Summer Lake royalty.” Kenzie appeared at her side.
Charlotte smiled, she liked Kenzie. “Why, thank you. Though I can’t say I’ve ever thought of myself that way. More like the black sheep.”
Kenzie grinned. “Come on, you’re one of the original gang. There’s all this myth and legend surrounding you, and let’s face it, when it comes to being royalty, the accent doesn’t hurt.”
Laura laughed. “I must admit I love your accent. You make me feel like I have a little bit of London here at home.”
“I’m just glad I’m here and not in London anymore.”
“Me too,” said Kenzie. “And if you ask me, you got here just in time.” She jerked her head to where Angel was standing talking to Renée.
Charlotte sighed. “I think we all need to give her a break. It’s not her fault she fell for the wrong guy at the wrong time.” She looked around at them. “I’m sure we’ve all done that at some point in our lives.”
Holly nodded. “I know I have. She does seem nice.”
Laura looked at Charlotte. “Well, if you don’t mind me saying so, I feel a bit sorry for her.”
“I don’t mind at all,” said Charlotte. “That’s what I’m saying myself.”
Kenzie rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell me I have to be nice to her?”
Charlotte laughed. “You don’t have to be, but I’m going to be.” She picked up her drink off the bar. “In fact, I’m going to go and say hello.”
Angel shot her a wary look as she approached. Renée smiled and then waved at someone over the other side of the room. She made her excuses and left Angel standing alone.
Charlotte smiled when she reached her.
“Hi.”
“Hey. I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad you are too.” Angel glanced around.
“I know,” said Charlotte with a wry smile. “I think all eyes are on us right now.”
Angel nodded. “And they’re all waiting to see if you need them to rescue you or to help you run me out of town.”
“In that case …” Charlotte leaned in and gave her a hug. “That should tell them all they need to know.”
Angel hugged her back and spoke next to her ear. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Charlotte let her go and stood back with a smile. She glanced around and saw several surprised faces. She caught Missy’s eye who nodded approvingly. “I don’t want things to be difficult between us, but more importantly I don’t want things to be difficult for you here.”
“Thanks. I’ve been thinking about leaving.”
“I hope you don’t.”
“I just think it would be better.”
“Better how? I think that now everyone knows Ben and I are back together they’ll stop giving you a hard time.”
Angel nodded. “Perhaps, but perhaps it’s better if I don’t work with Ben anymore.”
Charlotte stared at her, wondering what she meant.
“Don’t worry, all I’m saying is that I do like him. I respect what the two of you have, but it’s hard for me. I think he could work with me no problem. He has you now. I’m just not so sure I can work with him. I still don’t have anyone.”
“Were you looking for someone? Do you mind if I ask what your story is? Ben told me that you’d been through a hard time and that the two of you had been able to talk to each other.”
Angel nodded. “Before I came here I got stood up at the altar. Well, he almost made it to the altar. He probably would have if he hadn’t stopped to screw one of my bridesmaids in the back of the church.”
“Damn! I’m sorry.”
Angel shrugged. “It was better that I found out before we got married. But it still hurt like hell. I still feel like such a fool.” She gave Charlotte a sad smile.
“And now I feel like a fool again. I thought Ben was wonderful, I thought he might be perfect for me. I mean, he’s such a great guy.
I just didn’t realize what he and everyone else already knew, which is that he’s perfect for you. ”
“Part of me wants to say I’m sorry,” said Charlotte. “I am sorry for you and for the way things have worked out for you, but I can’t ever be sorry that Ben and I are together.”
“I understand that.”
“Maybe we can find you your own Ben?”
Angel smiled. “I think I need to take a break from even thinking about being with any guy. I really do feel stupid, and I’m not sure it won’t be too awkward for me to stay here.”
Charlotte nodded. “You have to do what is right for you.”
“Well, I didn’t expect to see the two of you hanging out and chatting away like this,” said Missy as she joined them.
“You know full well that I didn’t,” said Charlotte.
“That makes three of us,” added Angel with a smile. “I’ll leave you two to it.”
Charlotte shook her head. “Don’t go. You should come over to the bar and hang with us.”
Angel looked over to where Kenzie was still standing with Laura and Holly. Laura and Holly had the good grace to try to look as though they hadn’t been watching. Kenzie simply glared at Angel.
“I’m not sure I’d be welcome,” said Angel.
Missy put her hands on her hips. “We’ll see about that,” she said with a grim smile. “Kenzie might just need reminding how she felt when she was new around here. She needs to show you the same kind of welcome everyone showed her.”
“It’s okay. I understand. She’s close to Ben. She’s just protective of him.”
Missy linked her arm through Angel’s and started leading her toward the bar. “We’re all close to Ben. And he’d hate for her to treat you like that on his account.”
Charlotte smiled to herself as she followed them. Missy was right, and it was time to welcome Angel as one of them into the gang.
Kenzie pulled her phone out of her pocket just as they reached them. She answered it and covered her ear with her hand.
“What? … I can’t hear you … She’s what? … Oh my God! … Where are you? … Okay.” She hung up and looked around at them wide-eyed. “Megan’s on her way to the hospital, her waters broke.”
Missy grinned. “That’s awesome. Two babies in one week!”
“Chase is coming to get me. I need to get over there. He said all the guys are coming.” She grinned. “I’m going to go outside to meet him. Next time I see you, I’ll be an auntie.”
Charlotte closed her eyes for a moment. She was happy for them; Michael was one of her oldest friends and Megan was a sweetie.
But, like Missy had said, two babies in one week.
She hoped that Ben was on his way with the other guys.
If they were going to be there for their friends again, she wanted them to face it together.