Chapter 5
FIVE
CHARLOTTE
I have a personal vendetta against whoever came up with the saying “when it rains, it pours.” No one should’ve ever spoken that mindset into existence. My day started rough with my coffee spilling all over me, some rude members at the club, and now it’s ending even worse.
“There’s really nothing I can do?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady as I meet my landlord’s eyes.
Devin grimaces for a moment, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation we’re having.
“I’m sorry, Charlotte. You know how it goes.
I found last-minute renters who can pay full price to rent the apartment for the summer.
With it being so close to the busy season, I thought maybe you could keep your discounted rate for the summer, but this is too good an offer to pass up. ”
I nod, trying to keep my lip from trembling as I look at the ceiling for a moment.
I don’t want to make Devin feel any worse than he already does.
He’s got a wife and a two-year-old at home to take care of.
It isn’t fair of me to ask him to turn down a lot of money just so I don’t have to find a new place to live for the summer.
He needs to take the long-term rental tenants that can pay the full price; I just don’t know what I’m going to do.
“I understand,” I whisper, panic about what I’m going to do next settling deep in my gut. I should’ve known today would end badly when it started with me spilling my coffee all over myself first thing.
“I’ll give you a couple of days to get your things. If you want, you can put some of it in the attic. As soon as this rental is over and it’s off-season again, the place is yours again if you want it.”
There’s a lump in my throat, making it impossible to respond to him. I’m stressed about finding a place I can afford to live last minute, and I’m also feeling guilty for making Devin feel bad. Those two things combined make my throat thick with emotion, making it hard to say anything.
“I’m really sorry again, Charlotte. I wish it didn’t have to be…”
I tune him out and close my eyes for a moment, mustering up the courage to put on a brave face. I knew this was a possibility for the summer. I was just really hoping luck would be in my favor and Devin wouldn’t find any renters.
“It’s okay,” I manage to get out. I’m impressed by the steadiness of my voice. “Thank you for giving me time to pack and for allowing me to use your storage. I’ll probably take you up on that.”
“I’m also happy to help you move to your new place. I could ask around if any of my friends have rentals that are open…” His words drop off, and he looks at his feet.
He’s being kind, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that finding another rental this close to the busy season in the Hamptons will be impossible.
I hate asking others for help, but I might have to ask to stay at one of my friends’ places.
Lucy and Cal aren’t here yet, but I know if I were to ask, they’d let me stay with them.
But this is their first summer here as a real couple.
They’re engaged and busy planning their wedding for the end of this summer.
The last thing I want to do is feel like a bother.
“I’ll be able to handle my things,” I speak up, forgetting for a moment that Devin had said something. “Thank you again for letting me stay here as long as possible. I’ll be out by Wednesday.”
Devin nods before scratching the back of his neck. If I weren’t so sad about having to find a new place to stay, him being so uncomfortable might make me feel the same, but I’m too deep in stress to reciprocate. Now, all I want is for him to leave so I can have my cry and breakdown in peace.
Unfortunately, Devin is a man and has no idea how to read the room. He stands there, shifting on the balls of his feet, not taking the hint that he can go now.
I sigh before having the nerve to meet his eyes.
Hopefully, I don’t look as sad as I feel.
I’m seconds away from losing it, and I just need him to leave, because the last thing I want to do is to let him see me get upset.
“Have a good rest of your night,” I say, hoping this makes him take the hint. “Tell Erica I said hi.”
Devin nods. “I will. Let me know when you’re all moved out and if you need anything.”
He turns around to leave, and the moment he walks out the front door, the tears I’ve been desperately trying to hold in fall down my cheeks.
I knew there was a chance he’d find renters willing to pay more than I can, but I was hopeful it wouldn’t happen, and I could stay for the discounted price just like I was able to last summer.
The apartment isn’t in the same part that most tourists like to spend the season.
It’s farther away from the typical spots, and because of that, I got away with renting the apartment last year.
I thought I could be lucky two summers in a row, but I was wrong.
I need to find somewhere to live, and I’ll have to figure it out fast.
My mind is spinning with where to even start when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out, finding my mom calling me.
I let out a long sigh. She’s got that kind of intuition that if I don’t pull myself together fast, she’ll know I was crying, and then she’ll ask a million questions I’m not ready to answer.
I could ignore the call, but she’ll just call again or send one of my sisters to do it for her, since it’s been a few days since we last spoke.
I have to answer and find a way to convince her that everything’s fine.
I swipe to answer and hold the phone up to my ear. “Hey, Mom.”
“Charlotte!” my mom exclaims, shock in her voice that I’m on the phone when she’s the one who called in the first place. There’s a slight rustling before she speaks up again. “See, Hailey, I told you she would answer.”
My sister laughs in the background. “I said I hoped she didn’t answer and that she was out having fun instead.”
“Your sister worked all day. She’s probably having a nice, relaxing night before having to work again tomorrow,” Mom points out.
Hailey snorts. “Live and have fun before you have kids, Lottie. Soon enough, you’ll be spending your evenings covered in baby food and running from one sporting event to the next.”
I can’t help but laugh at my sister and Mom.
Hailey and I are closest in age, but she’s still over a decade older than me.
Her life—all of my siblings’ lives—is very different than mine.
There’s an ache in my heart that I’m not there with them, but even though I miss my family like crazy, I’m still happy to be out in the Hamptons.
But it is nice to hear their voice, even if my sister and Mom called only to bicker on the phone with each other, with me listening in.
“How was your day, Lottie?” Mom asks, using the same nickname my entire family uses for me.
“Are you liking the new job?” There’s concern in her voice, but it isn’t any more than usual.
She’s a mom who loves to be involved in all of our lives, despite every single one of her five kids being grown adults who don’t need her to meddle the way that she used to.
Because I’m the youngest—and the one with their life the least together—my life is the one she likes to meddle in the most. My two sisters also like to join in on the fun, the three of them constantly asking if my life in the Hamptons is what I want it to be or if I’m ready to come home yet.
If I told them I lost my place to live for the summer, they’d pretend to be sad but would probably be thrilled and tell me it’s a sign to return home instead.
“My day was great,” I lie. “I’m really loving the new job. It pays great. I’m excited to see what I can save up this summer when it really gets busy at Pembroke.”
My mom huffs, and the sound makes me smile. I know all she wants is for me to be happy, but she couldn’t be more obvious that she wishes my happiness brought me home instead of to the Hamptons. “Is everyone nice to you there?” she finally asks.
“Yes, Mom, everyone’s nice.”
“How’s that hot friend of yours? Have you dated him yet?” Hailey asks.
“Hailey Marie!” my mom scolds. “And his name is Jude. You should remember that by now. Charlotte’s always talking about him.”
I frown. I’m not always talking about him.
He just happens to be the person I spend the most time with because all of my other friends have very busy lives, and his is a little slower.
Or he makes it slower. I still don’t know how he’s able to help run a company and have the free time that he does, but I don’t ask questions.
I’m just happy I’m able to spend time with him.
There’s incoherent whispering on the other line, followed by the sound of my sister laughing.
“What?” Hailey asks innocently. “I’ve been married for what feels like an eternity.
Let me live vicariously through my young and hot little sister.
And you’ve said it yourself that you don’t understand why Charlotte hasn’t gone for Jude and how handsome he is. ”
I roll my eyes. If Jude could hear the current conversation, he’d have a field day.
I make the mental note that he can never meet Hailey.
She’s the more vocal of my two sisters. Carly is the oldest and is good at keeping her thoughts to herself.
Hailey, on the other hand, is a lot more like me—we like everyone to know our opinions.
“Jude—my friend who I will never date because he’s a friend—is great. I spilled coffee all over myself on the way to work this morning, and he brought by a new one for me.”
I can almost hear my mom melt on the other line. Maybe I shouldn’t have told her about the nice thing Jude did. Now she might join in with Hailey and ask questions about him every time we talk. “What a man,” Mom swoons. I scoff. Dad makes her coffee every single morning and brings it to her in bed.