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“Everything okay with you, Charlotte? You’ve been staring out that window an awful lot this morning,” my mother states worriedly as she puts a tray of gingerbread cookies into the oven.
“I’m fine, Mom. Why wouldn’t I be?” I shrug off, forcing myself to step away from the window instead of keeping a watchful eye out for Nate’s car.
Before I left Boston two days ago, I made sure to give him directions to my family’s beach house out here on the Cape, but so far, he hasn’t arrived yet, and I’m starting to wonder if he’s going to show up at all. Maybe the thought of spending the Christmas holiday with my family and me was too much of an intrusion for him. Or maybe his anxiety got the better of him, and he decided not to come because he didn’t want to spend the holiday with people he hadn’t even met yet.
There are so many reasons why he should back out and not accept my invitation to spend the holiday with my family and me.
But all I want is for him to find one good reason to choose to be here anyway—that reason being me.
“Your melancholic mood wouldn’t have anything to do with Copper, would it?” I hear my mother ask when she catches me throwing another quick glance over at the window.
“No, Mom.” I frown. “Like I said, Cooper and I are taking some time apart to think things over.”
“What she really means, Lorelei, is that she and Coop are on time out,” Piper adds, popping a kernel of popcorn into her mouth.
“I swear I don’t understand this new generation of you girls. When I was dating your father, I couldn’t fathom taking a break from him,” my mother tuts, wiping her hands on the kitchen towel.
“Cooper is no Harold. He wishes,”Piper’s mom, Shelby, signs, making Piper and my mother throw conspiring glances at each other, not hiding how they agree with her statement wholeheartedly.
“That’s very true, Shelby,” my mother says, making sure she’s standing in a position where her best friend can read her lips. “Cooper is… challenging when he wants to be. I guess it’s a good thing you two are on a break. No need to make any rushed life decisions if you’re not completely sure about how you feel for one another.”
By the shared look she gives the other two women in the room, I can tell the rumor of our fabricated engagement reached my mother’s ears, to which either Piper or her mom made sure to clarify what really happened that night.
“Maybe Christmas will come early this year, and they’ll break up for good,” Piper chimes in with a wink, to which my mother is unable to stifle a chuckle.
“Geez, you all act like it’s easy to just chuck ten years of my life and call it a day,” I retort, my frown deepening.
“No one is saying that, Charlotte. But no one wants you to settle for someone who may not be a good fit for you either,” my mother quickly says. “We love you and just want what’s best for you. If you tell us that Cooper makes you happy, then you won’t hear another peep out of anyone here.”
“Speak for yourself, Lorelei,” Piper interjects. “No way am I keeping my mouth shut and just watching that jackass ruin Lottie’s life.”
“Yes, you made your sentiments very clear.” I sigh, grabbing my winter coat. “I’m going out for a walk on the beach. Be back in an hour.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Piper asks, getting up from her stool to rush after me.
I shake my head.
“No. Actually, I could really use a few moments to myself.”
“You’re not mad about what I said about Cooper, are you?” she asks, worried about putting her foot in her mouth again.
“No, Piper.” I let out an exaggerated exhale. “Recently, I’ve started to think that you might have been right about Coop all along. Maybe it’s like you’ve always said. Maybe he just isn’t the one. I guess it just took me a little longer to figure that out for myself.”
“Does that mean you’re ending things with him? For good?” she asks, her blue eyes sparkling.
“By the look on your face, it’s obvious that’s whatyouthink I should do. But it’s hard for me to admit that I wasted so much time with him. I just need to ensure I’m making the right decision and won’t regret it afterward.”
“You won’t. Trust me.”
“I wish I could be as sure as you are.” I offer her a sad smile before opening the back door and heading towards the beach.
I’ve always loved spending winter break here at Cape Cod. With the crisp air and the light snow, the beach feels almostethereal somehow. And I could sure use a bit of serenity in my life.
Everything has gotten so messy recently.
Which is so unlike me.
I’m the kind of girl who thrives on being organized and practical.
