Page 59 of Wardrobe Malfunction

Vaughn West is in my bed.

Holy sweet mother of Jesus.

I quietly close the door behind me, locking it.

I pee and then wash my hands. Then, I decide to brush my teeth. Teeth squeaky clean, I rinse with mouthwash.

I decide to call Nick.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he answers cheerily.

“Hey,” I whisper.

“Why are you whispering?” he mock whispers back.

“Because I’m in the bathroom.”

“And the acoustics are bad in there?”

“No, smart-ass. I’m whispering because Vaughn West is sleeping twenty feet away in my hotel bed.”

There’s a marked silence.

And then, “Holy fuck.”

“Right?” I giggle quietly.

“You had sex with him?”

“Three times.” I smile wide.

“Charlotte Michaels…this is the one and only time that I will ever say this to you, but…I hate you.”

“Hey!” I call out and then quickly cover my mouth.

“Just kidding. You know I love you. And I totally knew he’d go for you.”

“You did not.” I laugh.

“Yep. I called it. Remember at our apartment, I said you should get it on with him?”

“That’s not calling it.”

“Um, I think you’ll find it is. And I expect your first kid to be named after me.”

“Jesus, Nick, we just had sex. We’re not getting married.”

Nick laughs. “Well, not yet, you aren’t. But give it time.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means, I know how easy it is to fall in love with you. He’ll be a goner in no time.” His voice has softened, and a lump triggers in my throat.

When Nick says lovely stuff like that to me…I can’t express what it means to me. I’ve never been good at expressing my emotions. But just to know I’m loved by someone…it means everything.

“Are you crying?”

“Of course I’m not. I don’t cry, remember?”