Chapter 27 #2
She nods. “I talked to my boss, and she said I could keep my job and work remotely. I might have to fly to New York every now and then, but it’s official—I’m moving to Chicago in January.”
I jump out of my seat and throw my arms around my sister. “ I can’t believe it! I’m so excited, Christy! We’re going to have the best time living in the same city.”
“I’ve already started looking at apartments online, and there’s a beautiful building not far from you, with several two-bedrooms available,” she tells me. “We can be neighbors!”
Neighbors. My mind flits to Charlie again, and I have to swallow back tears.
“And I can finally go to my first Starlings game next spring!” my sister exclaims. Christy became a diehard fan of Chicago’s MLB team when they came back from a string of humiliating defeats to win the World Series two years ago.
I’m about to suggest that my equally baseball-obsessed boyfriend and I could accompany her to a game or two—but what if he and I aren’t together next season?
“Sounds like we have another cause for celebration,” Vanessa says, topping off everyone’s drinks. “To Christy moving here—and joining our crew.”
“To Christy!” Sam and I say as we all clink glasses again. And I do my best not to think about Charlie.
“Thank you. I’m so excited for this next chapter to begin,” my sister replies.
Once we’ve taken sips, I catch Sam looking at me out of the corner of my eye.
“What?” I ask, a little on edge, because I never know what to expect from her.
She winces, but there’s mischief in her eyes. “I’m sorry, but…can we just take a moment to talk about how weird it is that Charlie is Nico? Vanessa told me right before you got here. ”
So much for not thinking about my boyfriend.
“And let me just say, I did not see that coming,” Sam goes on before taking a gulp of her margarita. “Quite the plot twist.”
Blood rushes to my face. I can’t even look at Vanessa, but she reaches across the table for my hand. “Jenna and I agreed not to let it be weird, right?” When my gaze meets hers, she winks at me.
I heave a sigh. “So nothing’s changed since you’ve had more time to think about things? You’re sure you’re still okay with it?”
“I promise,” she says, squeezing my fingers before she lets go. “I’m so happy with Ash, he’s all I can think about, anyway.”
“Okay, good.” I glance briefly from Vanessa to Sam. “Because I don’t want to be that girl no one trusts around their boyfriends.”
“I don’t think of you that way—I promise,” Sam tells me, looking as serious as I’ve ever seen her.
“I know we got off to a rocky start because I worried you were a threat to Sunny. But you put that fear to rest pretty quickly. And the more I get to know you, the more I like you. You’re a good egg, Jenna Andersen. ”
A good egg. It’s what Charlie’s cousin Maya called me, after we took her yoga class on the beach. It was such a perfect day with him. And, that night, we slept together for the first time. I miss him so much, my chest aches. Then my lip quivers.
“Jenna? What’s wrong?” Christy asks, her hand on my shoulder.
I burst into tears.
My sister and friends gaze at me with concern, their foreheads crinkled.
“I don’t know if Charlie and I are going to work out,” I admit, wiping tears from my eyes .
Christy, already up-to-date on my boyfriend troubles, rubs my arm as I continue.
“He’s a chronic people-pleaser—and he’s terrified of conflict—and I’m not sure I can trust him with my heart.
I mean, he would have married you, Vanessa, if you hadn’t been brave enough to call off the wedding.
All because he didn’t want to upset you.
So, how will I ever know if he’s being genuine with me?
And he’s been miserable working for his dad for the last nine years, but hasn’t worked up the courage to stand up to him. ”
Vanessa nods knowingly.
“I’m not sure he’ll ever change,” I continue. “I told him I needed space after the whole Nico Reveal, and we argued after we left your place on Saturday. Now, he’s in Denver for work, and I have no idea what’s going through his head.”
Sam, Christy, and I all look to Vanessa for guidance.
“You and Charlie argued?” she asks, stunned. “And he actually agreed to give you space?”
I nod.
Vanessa raises her eyebrows, looking impressed.
“That surprises me, to tell you the truth. We never fought once the entire time we were together. And if I was ever annoyed with him over something small, he wouldn’t rest until he’d smoothed things over.
He couldn’t stand me being upset with him.
It may not seem like much, but he’s making progress, Jenna.
He’s passionate enough about your relationship to argue over it.
And I bet it’s killing him to give you space, but he’s doing it anyway.
That just goes to show how much he cares about you. ”
I sniffle. “You really think so? ”
Vanessa nods. “I saw the way he looked at you last week, at my apartment. I never once caught him looking at me like that. If there’s anyone he’ll change for, it’s you.”
I wipe my cheeks again. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
Vanessa’s words are nice to hear, but they’re only her opinion, of course. I won’t have the answers I’m looking for until I see Charlie again. And even then, there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to stamp out my uncertainty.
So, back at my apartment later that night, while Christy’s showering, I take my journal of wishes out of my nightstand. And for the first time in twelve years, I add a sketch.
It’s of Charlie. Only Charlie.
He’s in the Tuscan countryside. He’s got his camera strapped around his neck.
And he’s happy.