Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Hope
We walked toward Central Park to head back to his place, and my body was lifted.
Charlie was being sweet most of the time, and even when I was annoyed with him, it was because he'd done something nice for me or because of a general character issue like not telling me a schedule.
If we fixed that, all would be great. Honestly, being with him felt like I was living in a cloud full of dreams.
As we neared the building, my phone beeped. I figured it was my friends concerning the Hawaii trip, with lots of bikinis and hearts. However, Patterson’s name appeared on my screen with a message. Meet me at the coffee shop we met at right now, or I’ll send proof you’re a little liar to the world.
I flinched and gazed up at Charlie. Patterson was a huge mistake in more than one way. I swallowed. “I have to run an errand.”
Charlie smiled. “We can go together.”
One ex run-in was enough for a lifetime. And whatever Patterson had to say was nonsense. I wouldn’t let him get something on Charlie, even a photograph. I waved my hands in front of me. “No. I need half an hour.”
He kissed my cheek. “If you’re sure.”
Charlie was wonderful. I tugged his collar down and kissed him. And it was my turn to take care of him. I let him go and dashed off.
Twenty minutes later, I stood in front of the place I never went anymore. I tensed, and as I was about to go in, my phone rang. I answered Britney, who immediately said, “Hey, what should I pack?—”
I interrupted her, “Britney, I’m meeting Patterson.”
“Why? You have Charlie and Hawaii.”
I snorted. “Our weekend in Hawaii on the private jet could be off if Patterson blows up my life.”
“I’ll kill him if he ruins my vacation now,” Britney said. I was about to say goodbye when she pinged the friend group. “Avril’s closest to you. I’ll send her to this meeting as backup in case we need to protect you.”
I let out a breath. It was nice to have her on my side. I nodded. “I’m a little scared.”
“Remember, you fight for the life you want.” True, but the life I want and the life I got might not exactly mesh forever. I shook my head, said goodbye, then headed inside.
The air smelled like coffee, and the tables were all full. When I’d dated Patterson, I’d thought the indie vibe of the place was cute. However, I slumped into the black wooden chair across from my ex, and my stomach was in knots as I asked, “Patterson, why are we meeting?”
He smiled at me, and I jolted backward. His lips were thinner than I remembered. He put his phone on the table. “I wanted you to hear this.”
“Is this why I’m here?” I pivoted like I needed to run.
His voice was icy as he said, “I have the blog’s email that took your pictures and proved you’re a whore.”
The hairs on my arms all stood up. I was frozen. “So? They printed a bunch of lies about me.”
“Let me play you this…” He moved his phone closer to me.
I heard my voice. “Yeah, I had questions on being your fiancée.”
“Shoot.”
He wasn’t in the coffee shop the day I'd talked to Charlie. I would have noticed him.
“Would I have to live with you?” I heard myself ask.
“It would be best.”
Patterson shrugged. “Boring butler talking …” He fast-forwarded. “Let’s get to the next part.”
“Stop,” I said and hugged my waist. My feet were like lead.
Charlie asked me, “Okay, so can I answer anything else?”
“Does the job come with food?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then instead of writing me a check, which will make me feel like a whore ? —“
“You’re not. You’d never.”
Tears formed in my eyes. I was toast.
Patterson said, “See, you called yourself the same thing.”
“Stop now.” I swiped at my face. My tears would only fuel his anger.
Patterson shrugged. “Fine, let me fast-forward to the end.”
“Charlie, you have yourself a six-month fiancée.”
“So we have a deal?”
“Yes, yes, we do.”
So Patterson knew Charlie and I were a lie. I rocked in my seat. “How did you get this?”
He shrugged. “I bugged your phone when I was fucking you, so I would know if you were cheating on me.”
“Eww.” I closed my eyes. Patterson was clearly a stalker and probably a criminal. Even if Miley got it taken down, he would still ruin my life.
Patterson said, “When I read the papers, I figured I should go and listen. So now let’s make the deal.”
I wasn’t sure I could move at all. My eyes felt like glass as I stared at him. “What deal?”
He folded his hands on the table. “You give me ten million dollars, and I go away.”
Might as well ask for a billion. My bank account was close to zero. I shrugged. “I don’t have ten million.”
He scooted his chair back. “Well, then you have twenty-four hours to meet me right here.”
Then he backed away to order himself a latte. I took a deep breath then ran out. As I made it to the sidewalk, Avril clutched my arm. “I took a lunch break. Are you okay?”
I hugged her. “Avril, yeah. I need to go and tell Charlie what happened.”
“What happened with Patterson?”
“He… I need to talk to Charlie.”
“Okay.” She hugged me back, and as I let her go, she said, “Thanks for inviting us all to Hawaii. I never go anywhere.”
I wanted to ask her how things had gone with Kir the night we’d left. My eyes burned from unshed tears, though. I would ask later. I stepped back. “Let me talk to Charlie before you pack your bags.”
She waved at me. “You found yourself a good one.”
“Thanks.”
At least I had friends. Charlie and I would be over sooner than I'd expected, since there was no way Kir would want to work with us or if there was even an us to worry about. Charlie valued his family. I had no idea what would happen to me now.
I walked home in a huge blur, but I somehow made it back. And as opened the door, Fuller stood behind it. I stepped in and took off my shoes, staring at rose petals. Charlie was being wonderful again. I followed the roses to the living area.
Charlie stood there with a bottle of champagne. “You're home.”
I gazed around the room, and the tears flowed. “What’s this?”
“I’m surprising you.”
Then I held him tightly. “Charlie…” Tears wouldn’t stop. I would miss him.