Page 89 of Second Chances

“Number three—he has integrated you into his family: you’re friends with his sister, his sister-in-law, his daughter-in-law…and didn’t you have lunch with his mom a while back?”

“Right, but-”

“No buts! And you were his date to the wedding of the year, knee-deep in helping with everything, am I right? The question, my dear, sweet Lottie, is when will you tell him that you love him?” Her friend’s eyes snapped open, her mouth gaped. “Please, girl, I’ve known you since we were ankle-biters. I have never seen you so twisted internally over someone-”

“Hey! I was married for thirty years!”

“Yeah, and at best you were lukewarm. Brady was, and still is, a hottie, and I’ve seen women throw themselves at him, but you never let any of it bother you.”

“I knew he would never cheat, despite us being ‘lukewarm’ as you say!”

“Hey, I got that phrase from you! So, what, you think Henry would cheat on you?” Amy let her words sit there, for Lottie to mull over.

Her answer was immediate. “No—it’s just…how could I possibly compete with either Melanie or DD? I can’t.”

“Has Henry said anything that makes you believe you have to compete?” Lottie shook her head emphatically. “Okay, and has he actually used the phrase ‘my first love’ for DD?” Again, Lottie shook her head. Amy highly doubted Henry even thought of DD in those terms. “I know you’re scared and vulnerable, because you’ve never had to put your heart on the line before. But you’re worth it. Henry is worth it.” Another brief pause. “If you love him, that is.”

Eyes sparkling with tears, Lottie quickly affirmed, “I do. I love him, Ames. So much. In every way. His warmth. His weight when he surrounds me. His smile that shakes me to my core every single time.” She drew a deep breath. “His hands on my skin, slightly rough. The way he smells like oil after work, and then sweet, like soap, after he showers.” Amy blushed at the intimacy of her friend’s words, but Lottie, too enthralled thinking of Henry, didn’t notice. “More than anything, my heart misses his, with the thoughtful ways he shows me every day that he cares. He’s loyal and honorable, completely devoted to the people he cares about.” Lottie wiped at her eyes with the edge of the blanket. “Amy, I am so in love with him that it’s made me stupid, I guess. I’m an idiot, imbecile, ignoramus-”

“Okay, how about we lay off the nasty words beginning with the letter I, okay?” Amy wiped tears from her own eyes. “You are fucking brilliant and babe-a-licious, and the best person anyone could ask for, in any capacity. You deserve an all-consuming love, Lottie. That man worships you. He’s your second chance at forever. Don’t give up on it.”

Henry instinctively reached an arm out for Charlotte, seeking her warmth, but found the space cold and empty. Rolling over onto his other side, he discovered that side of the bed was more frigid than the other. Where was she? In a panic, he sat up as the truth crashed down. Too humiliated to face her, he’d slept alone last night in his bed, not Charlotte’s, falling into a dreamless sleep after meeting up with Melanie.

Heart racing, he checked his phone, hoping Charlotte had, in her usual graceful and empathetic way, contacted him. Despair filled him instead, and the only messages on his phone were a warning about his low battery and a calendar reminder about the wedding brunch in a few hours. Opening the drawer on his nightstand, he searched for a charger, then remembered he’d taken it to Charlotte’s two days ago. Trudging into the kitchen for the charger he kept by the coffeemaker, he groaned. Josh had borrowed it yesterday when they were getting ready for the wedding, taking it with him to the park in case he needed it. As if summoned, his son texted:

Morning, Dad.

Just FYI, Effie and I will bring Sophie with us to the brunch, so you and Charlotte don’t have to worry about picking her up.

I thought it’d be easier for me to introduce her, too.

BTW, got a letter from Mom. It was…interesting.

Text to Josh

Thanks for looking out for Sophie.

I’m so proud of you.

We can talk about your mom whenever you’re ready.

I love you, son.

Fully awake now, Henry added ice to a glass, then poured some cold brew from the fridge into it. Charlotte’s favorite blend, S’mores, with a heavy splash of cream, just the way she liked it. Drinking it made him feel closer to her. His behavior toward her last night had been deplorable, and he prayed she would forgive him for it. How should he begin fixing things with her? Should he just go over to her house so he could apologize in person, or should he give her space? Would she even welcome him today?

Dear Charlotte,

I am so sorry for what I said last night.

Or this morning, depending on perspective.

A simple apology isn’t good enough, but I am deeply sorry for everything.

I regret the things I said, but most of all, I regret leaving you.

I can only say I was ashamed to be so easily triggered, after so many years.

I know I probably don’t deserve a chance to explain, but I would be incredibly grateful if I could.