Chapter 25
Act II, Scene XVII: Date in London 2.0
Kalina
W ith the wedding only eight days away, I mentally ticked off all the completed tasks. Then I checked my makeup in the mirror above the console for the fourth time.
Charlie had reached out to ask if we could try another date.
After the night of the festival, I’d laid awake thinking back on the last few weeks. From the way Titan’s demeanour had shifted over the last few days and the way Charlie did exactly what I’d hoped a potential boyfriend would do.
He’d texted and called repeatedly, even when I didn’t think it was necessary, to apologise for not making it to the festival. He listened to me when I spoke about work, he was interested in the things I liked. This was what I’d wanted, what I’d worked towards, and I needed to focus all my energy on him.
I needed to give this a shot.
The light rapping at the door broke me from my thoughts, and I took a deep breath before I opened it.
‘Wow, you look…’ Charlie’s voice trailed as his gaze did the same. I’d chosen a simple long sleeved black dress and knee-high boots.
My cheeks heated. ‘You look pretty great yourself.’
I took in his tan coat, grey jumper, and dark jeans. It fit him perfectly, and the colours made his eyes pop.
‘Shall we?’ He offered his arm to me.
‘Let’s go.’
He led me to the car parked a little way up the road.
‘I’m absolutely dying inside at this surprise,’ I said.
‘It would really ruin the whole experience if you knew beforehand. As promised, it’s indoors, quiet, and somewhere familiar.’ He opened the passenger door for me.
That eased my anxiety a little.
‘Okay, but no more surprises.’
He opened his mouth then shut it.
I let out a laugh. ‘Charlie.’
He climbed into the driver’s seat and turned to me. ‘After tonight, no more surprises. I promise.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Can I tell you again how sorry I am about the festival?’
I shook my head. ‘No, I told you it’s not necessary.’
It wasn’t his fault, but I didn’t want to think about it or talk about what had happened. At the festival, or after with Titan. I wanted to forget the night entirely.
‘You’re too nice to me.’
‘You’ve given me no reason not to be,’ I countered.
‘Thank you.’ He drove toward the city and I relaxed into the warm seat.
‘Besides, you don’t control flight times and cell phone connections…I think?’
He let out a laugh. ‘No, unfortunately not. At least not yet.’
‘I’ll let you know if tonight makes up for it.’
In my retelling of the night to him, I’d left out the part where that creep followed me around. Along with the part where it seemed like Titan and I had nearly kissed. It wouldn’t help anyone if I brought it up.
‘We have a bit of a drive. I’d love to hear more about your family.’
This was fine. A topic spoken about on nearly all dates.
‘I grew up with my grandmother and Savi’s parents. My dad lives and works out of town.’
‘Oh, I met a lot of your family at the dinner. Seems like it was fun growing up around them.’ He turned to me briefly as we stopped at a red light.
‘It was. They are noisy and nosy, but I wouldn’t change them for the world. What about you?’
‘Oh, same. Big and loud. My parents are disgustingly cute. They’ve been together for over forty years. I have one older brother, one younger, and a younger sister.’
‘Big family.’
‘Yeah, my parents were the entertainers, so it was always busy in our household.’ He smiled fondly.
I knew what that was like. There was never a quiet Friday night in the Ray cul-de-sac. Our family had taken over the street and having family as neighbours meant celebrations and parties throughout the year.
‘Sounds like you miss it?’
‘I do. All the work and travelling means spending less time with them. But it’s something I’d love for myself.’ He looked at me then back at the road. ‘One day, of course.’
How soon was too soon to bring up the fact you didn’t want kids? In my experience, there was no time frame that made it less weird and awkward.
‘Of course, yeah.’ I laughed lightly to hide my panic.
Charlie told me about his family’s love for hosting and how his parents became surrogates to all of his friends. ‘They’d spend every single holiday with my family. My parents were always thrilled to have them around. The more the merrier.’
‘Sounds lively.’
‘It could get out of hand. Especially when Titan and Nick were around at the same time.’
Titan certainly had a way of keeping things exciting.
‘A lot of fun?’ I asked and pushed down the niggling feeling in my chest.
Being with Charlie was good and right. He was kind and wonderful. I had no reason to feel bad about being here with him.
‘It was.’ His gaze wandered off as if he were reliving some of those moments. He shook his head. ‘Well, we’re here.’
I looked at the building ahead. One I was all too familiar with, and one I hadn’t visited in months—the aquarium.
‘Don’t freak out,’ Charlie started as we walked towards the doors. ‘I called in a favour.’
I narrowed my eyes at him in a silent question, but it was answered as soon as we walked through the entrance of the aquarium.
‘Good evening, Mr. Hughes,’ the man said as we stepped inside.
Charlie acknowledged him with a nod.
I looked between the men with confusion.
‘Good evening, Miss,’ the man said to me before he turned to Charlie. ‘Everything’s set up as you requested.’
‘Thank you so much.’
Charlie took my hand and walked.
‘What did he mean?’ I asked. The man had disappeared into the shadows leaving the space eerily empty.
‘I wanted you to have a good time, and you said the festival was too much, so…’
I looked around us, and down the passages. There was no one else here.
‘Are we…alone?’
‘Yeah,’ he said, and glanced at his feet. ‘I thought you’d like to see what it looks like after hours.’
‘Charlie…this is…’
‘Also too much?’
I laughed. ‘Way too much.’
He frowned.
I laughed and brushed his upper arm. ‘No, it’s perfect. And so thoughtful. Thank you.’
He scratched the back of his head. ‘I don’t know how to hold back.’
I squeezed his hand until he looked at me. ‘And you shouldn’t have to. You should be yourself.’
We took in each exhibit in all its glory. I’d never thought about what this place would look like without anyone else around, with only the sounds of the building and my thoughts.
It was magnificent.
Charlie listened as I showed him one of my favourites, the jelly-fish, and he seemed genuinely impressed at the facts I spewed.
‘The open ocean is my absolute favourite.’
‘Mine too,’ he said.
We walked through the tunnel, the fish and turtles swam above us, and I was in awe. Every single time I saw them, a wave of calm washed over me.
‘I have one more surprise for the evening.’ Charlie ushered me toward the open ocean exhibit.
‘I thought we agreed on no more surprises?’ I laughed as he led the way.
I audibly gasped.
Laid out in front of the large tank was a picnic blanket, complete with snacks and drinks.
‘This is amazing,’ I whispered.
‘I really hope this makes up for the other night.’
‘It wasn’t your fault, and I forgave you as soon as you called.’
We walked towards the setup, stopping to admire the majestic animals behind the glass.
He took both my hands in his and held them between us. ‘I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m really glad I got to meet you.’
His words made my chest ache.
Charlie was perfect.
I looked up at him; at his kind soft brown eyes, at the way his hair was always pushed back—either out of frustration or necessity—and at his slightly parted lips.
‘I’m really glad I got to meet you too,’ I said and took a step closer, lifting my chin in silent request.
He leaned down until his lips brushed mine.
This time the kiss deepened as he teased my mouth open with his tongue, until we were both exploring one another.
I closed my eyes and tried immersing myself in the moment.
He was a great kisser; with his gentle strokes and soft lips, I felt myself being drawn in. Giving back and moving closer until our bodies were flush.
When we pulled apart, we wore matching smiles.
‘Want some snacks?’
I nodded.
He pecked me on the lips twice then took my hand and led me to the picnic blanket. We spent the rest of our time snacking on mini burgers, cheese, fruit, and brownie bites while watching the sharks swim idly by.
A perfect night with the perfect man.
But that feeling in my chest wouldn’t go away.
Charlie was perfect. Tonight was perfect.
But my brain kept repeating one thing.
Only Titan was perfect for me.