Page 75 of Second Chances

Henry nodded, granting DD the forgiveness she sought. “I understand.”

She flashed a grateful smile. “I’m sorry I’ve been selfish, but I do wish you and Charlotte every happiness.” After wiping her eyes, her gaze was sincere. “I’d better go finish up with the caterers. You’re lucky you don’t have a daughter, Henry. They’re very demanding on their wedding days.”

She left, and Henry finally rang Melanie. “Well, here I am, ready to talk. What’s so urgent?”

“Oh, Henry,” Melanie sighed. “I wish you’d called me earlier…I’m afraid it’s too late now.” Too late? Too late for what?

“All the phone calls, all the texts, but now that I’m ready to talk, it’s just games. Tell me what you want now, because after tonight, it’s over. I won’t do this anymore.”

“Henry?” a soft voice called from a darkened corner.

Melanie gasped. “Henry, I’m sorry, please, please listen to me. I never meant-”

The panic in Melanie’s voice was alarming, but so was the expression on the face of the young woman stepping out of the shadows. Henry asked her, “Can I help you?”

It was the young woman, Sophie, emerging from the side of the building. “I’m sorry…I’ve been trying to talk to you all day.”

“Henry,” Melanie wailed, “please listen to me⁠—”

He hissed into the phone, “I need to go.”

“But-”

“No, Melanie, stop. We’re done.” Without a goodbye, he hung up on his ex. To the young woman, he softened his tone. “Sophie, right?” Seconds passed; Henry was sure she was going to turn and leave.

With her arms crossed in front of her, she inhaled. “Yes, and you’re⁠—”

“Hey, Charlotte, looks like you and Henry are having a good time,” Tess greeted her with green eyes twinkling as she stood at the bar with one hand on her belly.

Charlotte grinned, warmth spreading through her. “You could say that. Wasn’t the wedding beautiful?”

Tess twisted her fiery red curls up and fanned her neck with a bar napkin. “Beyond. Those vows they wrote? I needed three tissues! You know, when Josh and I were together, he wasn’t quite that romantic. I guess he needed Effie to draw that out of him.”

“Sometimes, if we’re lucky, we get the right partners at the right time. Like you and your husband.” Prior to meeting Sam, Charlotte had already been a fan of his books, particularly the second one, when he introduced a romantic storyline new to his series. According to Ruth, that development closely mirrored Tess and Sam’s own love story.

“Sam is a little too romantic sometimes,” Tess joked, rubbing her belly. The epitome of tall, dark, and handsome, Sam couldn’t seem to keep his hands off his wife whenever they were near each other, not that Charlotte could blame him, because Tess, with her red hair and body ripe with pregnancy, exuded an earthy sexiness. “I suppose once the babies come, we won’t have as much time for romance.”

“Well, I’m the wrong person to ask about that. Romance was never high on the list of priorities for my ex-husband and me. We were high school sweethearts who, as we got older, turned into more friends than lovers.”

Tess nodded. “I get that. That’s how Josh and I were. That’s why, when I met Sam, everything was electric. It’s different, falling in love when you’re older. You have more of a sense of self.”

“It took me years to figure that out,” Charlotte admitted. “Sometimes I can’t believe that Brady and I just coasted along like we did for so many years. Especially now…”

“Especially now that you’re with Henry, right?” Charlotte blushed at Tess’s question. “Although some people got lucky in love in high school, like them.” Tess pointed to the dance floor, where George and Nora were staring into each other’s eyes. “I’m sure Henry counts his lucky stars that things never worked out for him and Diadema.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, since Henry was in love with her, back in the day.”

Recalling the lunch she’d had last spring with Nora and Trixie, where Henry’s feelings for DD had been a topic of concern, she responded, “It was my understanding that he just had a crush on her, not that he was in love with her.” At least that’s what his sister had insisted.

Visibly distraught, Tess assured her, “I’m sure you’re right, and I never should have said anything. But, like we said, who knows what love is when you’re a teenager? I didn’t. It sounds like you didn’t.” Tess turned to flag down the bartender, but Charlotte put a hand on her arm.

“Can I ask why you thought he was in love with her?”

“Um, Effie said something to Ruth.” Tess turned to the bartender and ordered a Diet Dr. Pepper. “Do you want anything, Charlotte?”

She shook her head. “Okay, so it’s probably just talk from Diadema. I think she has a thing for drama,” Charlotte explained.