Chapter 46 Charlie
charlie
“Do you think she’ll like it?” I asked, adjusting the pink lamp in the corner for what felt like the hundredth time. My nerves weren’t settling as I walked to the mirror. “Do you think she’ll like me?”
I glanced down at my outfit—a simple green satin skirt paired with a burgundy sweater. Festive, but understated.
“Honey, it’s perfect. Just like you.”
I exhaled, still feeling the tight knot of tension in my chest. It wasn’t just the room I’d somehow managed to throw together in the past twenty-four hours.
It was the fact that it was Christmas, and we were hosting.
Nova had told Austin that Ollie surprised them so it would be Luna, Scarlette, Nova, and Ollie—an entire group of people.
I wanted it to be perfect. For Austin. For Scarlette. Maybe even for me, selfishly.
“Okay,” I said, stepping back as he wrapped his arms around my waist. “But do you think she’ll like the presents?”
Before he could answer, the doorbell rang, and my heart leaped into my throat. I bolted down the stairs and into the kitchen, running through a mental checklist as I surveyed the counters.
The caprese skewers were unwrapped, the dip was open and surrounded by chips in the holiday bowl I’d found yesterday—complete with a red bow.
The pot roast was still in the oven, with the sides warming.
I’d chosen it after googling Sunday roasts in the UK, hoping it would be safe and familiar for Nova and Scarlette.
I think I had everything.
I turned, startled to find Austin standing in the kitchen doorway, watching me with his arms crossed, an easy confidence in his stance.
“I’m so nervous,” I whispered, clutching the edge of the counter.
He nodded, a small, knowing smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “I know, Char. But it’s going to be perfect.”
As Austin reached for the door, my hand in his, my nerves spilled over. My gaze drifted down, catching the faint glint of my wedding ring. I never took it off—not even when I left. At first, it was just a symbol of convenience, a placeholder for what wasn’t supposed to be real.
But somehow, somewhere along the way, it became more.
It was a promise, one I didn’t fully understand when I made it but couldn’t imagine breaking now.
My fingers brushed over the smooth band, the weight of it familiar and grounding.
This moment wasn’t just about him—it was about us.
About trying, building, and staying, even when it scared me.
He turned to look at me, his brow furrowing slightly, his eyes full of quiet concern.
“Together.” Leaning in, I kissed his cheek softly, lingering just a second before stepping back.
“Together,” he murmured back.
He opened the door, and the cold air hit me first. Nova and Ollie stood there, Scarlette at Nova’s side, holding tightly to her coat. Scarlette’s eyes darted between Austin and me.
Austin crouched, his attention fully on Scarlette. “Hey, Scarlette. You made it. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” she said, then tugged on the guy whose hand she was holding onto. “This is my Ollie.”
Austin’s smile warmed as he stood up and held out his hand.
I barely breathed as the man stepped forward.
He was tall, strong, and imposing, his hand extending to Austin in a way that made me tense.
His hand looked like it could break Austin’s with ease.
He wore a long black overcoat, black pants, and a tan sweater, paired with big brown combat boots that only added to his commanding presence.
In a deep accent, he said, “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Oliver—or as my girls call me, Ollie.”
Austin nodded and shook his hand. “Austin.”
My chest tightened, the nerves churning again. What if I said the wrong thing? What if Nova didn’t think I was good enough, didn’t trust me near Scarlette? What if everything we were trying to build crumbled before it even had a chance?
Austin turned back to me. “This is Charlie, my wife.”
“Hi,” I said, my voice quieter than I’d hoped. “Come in. Let’s get you settled.”
Nova stepped inside first, scanning me up and down. She wore a black dress under a sleek black coat, paired with Docs that gave her an edge. Her hair was pinned up in a beautiful updo, the kind of look that was both elegant and effortless.
She was stunning—so stunning it took my breath away for a moment.
She stepped forward, closing the space between us, and wrapped me in a hug.
It caught me off guard, her embrace warm and genuine, and I stood there, unsure of what to do.
Then, slowly, I let myself relax and hugged her back, the tension in my chest easing just slightly.
When she pulled away, I noticed tears building in the corner of her eyes. She coughed and then waved her hand in the air. “It’s nothing. I’m just emotional.”
She pulled me in for one more hug before letting go. “You’re beautiful. Oh gosh. I’m an emotional wreck. Thank you for having us.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
The blonde, whom I assumed was Luna, Nova’s best friend, walked in and grabbed my shoulders. “Thank fuck the weird shit’s over with.”
“Luna.” Nova chastised her.
Luna shrugged, tossing her white coat onto the counter in the kitchen without a care.
Luna was so different from Nova and Ollie. While they carried an air of sleek sophistication, she was all sparkle and chaos, dressed in a bright white minidress covered in sequins. Her bleach-blonde hair was styled perfectly.
She held up a bottle of wine.
“Hart. Is this cool?”
I stared at Austin. In the time we’d known each other, no one had ever drunk around Austin. While we’d gone to restaurants where they served alcohol, I was about to say something when Austin nodded. “No problem. Just do me a favor if you don’t finish it, take it home with you.”
Luna nodded and turned to me. “Do you have an opener?”
“Yes,” I said softly and walked over, opening the drawer to grab the bottle opener.
“For real,” Luna said, taking the opener from my hand without hesitation. “All this one could talk about today was how nervous she was. She thought for sure you’d hate her or some shit.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but Luna rolled her eyes dramatically, twisting the corkscrew into the bottle.
“Luna,” Nova said again, her tone softer this time, as she walked to my side. “Ignore her,” she added, giving me a small, reassuring smile.
Luna was already pouring herself a glass when she called out, “Also, Hart!”
Austin looked up from where he was helping Ollie and Scarlette with their coats, his brow lifting.
“I invited Dirks over,” Luna announced casually. “He said you’d be cool with it.”
Dirks? With . . . Luna? How . . .?
Nova must have caught my confused expression because she whispered, “It’s complicated.” Her amused tone told me it was quite a story. “A conversation best had over coffee . . . or wine.”
I laughed softly, caught a little off guard. Did Nova just invite me to coffee with her? This felt . . . easy. Dare I even say it? Comfortable? Like maybe we weren’t on opposite sides of some invisible line.
“Oh,” Nova said suddenly, grabbing my hand before I could react.
She guided me toward where Austin was showing Scarlette and Ollie the Christmas tree we had set up in the corner of the living room.
It was . . . strange, this casual ease she seemed to have around me, like we weren’t two women navigating the complexities of this blended situation.
Austin looked up as we approached, his smile softening. Scarlette’s attention was still on the tree, her small hand reaching out to touch one of the ornaments.
“I’m such a bad mom,” she said softly. “I never introduced you to Scarlette.” She turned to the little girl, her voice gentle. “Scar, this is Charlie—”
“I know, Mum,” Scarlette interrupted. “Dad’s wife.”
Inside, I was freaking out. Dad? She was calling Austin Dad?
Had I missed that much in just a couple days?
My eyes darted to Austin, who was absolutely beaming.
Then, my gaze shifted to Ollie, who was looking down at Scarlette with a quiet softness, something tender that made my heart lurch for him.
I crouched down and gave Scarlette a warm hug, holding her tightly for a moment. “It’s so nice to officially meet you.”
When I stood, I turned to Ollie, extending my hand. “Hi, I’m Charlie,” I said warmly, wanting to make sure he felt welcomed too.
He took my hand with a small smile, his grip firm but kind. “Ollie,” he replied simply.
Nova slid her hand into mine a moment later, and without a word, she guided me into the kitchen. Once we were out of earshot, she gave my hand a squeeze. “Thank you,” she said quietly, her voice low and filled with emotion. “It’s hard for him. For all of us.”
“I can empathize,” I said. I squeezed her hand in return, hoping she could feel the sincerity in my words. “I definitely thought you were going to hate me.”
“What?” She clutched her hand to her heart with a laugh.
Before I could say anything else, Luna sauntered over, holding up her glass of wine. “Are you like a billionaire or something? This house . . .” She let out a low whistle, spinning to take it all in.
Nova groaned and punched her in the arm. “Luna, you cannot say shit like that.”
“Eh.” Luna shrugged, turning to me with a mischievous grin. “Are you?”
I shook my head quickly, laughing. “No, not a billionaire. My mom owns a pecan farm down in Georgia—”
“So, you’re rich, rich.” Luna whistled again as she strolled through the house.
Nova rolled her eyes.
“What? Have you seen the price of pecans? Jeez.”
I laughed and glanced at Nova. “Is it okay if Austin shows Scar the room we made up for her?”
“Of course.” Nova turned toward the group of men across the room. “Scar! Come here a second.” She grinned at me. “I swear, Luna doesn’t know how to act.”
I chuckled, but the moment made me miss my own friends. I needed to text Jennie and tell her what was happening. They would never believe this.