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“I forgot to ask Adriana something.” I rushed out, desperate to find them.
Samantha wrapped her arms around my neck. “So just call her, Alex. Let’s get back to where we left off.”
I yanked her off me, without another word, and ran outside as fast as I could.
The car was already reversing down the driveway, and all I saw was Adriana laughing.
And beside her, a very heartbroken Charlotte staring right back at me.
CHARLIE
Present
Eric clutches my hand tight, rushing me along the busy streets attempting to reach the restaurant in record speed. Easy for him since he’s wearing flats. My new Jimmy Choo shoes are getting scuffed which doesn’t impress me one bit.
“Eric, seriously, can you slow down,” I cry, struggling to keep up.
“I just don’t want to be late. Tango will bump you off if you aren’t on time.”
Tango is a very upbeat Spanish restaurant in Chelsea. As a treat for my birthday, Eric is taking me to dinner. I’m more than happy to stay at home and drown myself in my sorrows, but Eric suggests a day full of ‘us’ time—shopping, massages, pedis, and of course, dinner at the best restaurant to show off our newly dressed and pampered bodies.
“Here we are!”
We walk into the restaurant where crowds of people are standing in the bar area waiting to be served. All the tables are taken from what I can see, and guilty of slowing us down I’m praying our reservation still stands.
“Sir, madam, please let me escort you to your table.”
The waiter leads us through the crowd, passing the tables which are all occupied. I nudge Eric, shrugging my shoulders with a confused expression. I bet the table is somewhere at the back, next to the kitchen and restroom. Oh, well, at least they have karaoke after ten. The waiter pulls a large velvet maroon curtain aside, followed by a loud, “Surprise!”
My hand clutches my chest as my mouth falls open in shock. Standing around a huge table is Nikki and Rocky, Adriana and Elijah, Emma, Becky, a new assistant in our office, Julian, and of course, Lex. My eyes dart back and forth, panic rising in my chest.
Julian and Lex in the same room?
I’m going to strangle the person who planned this.
Eric.
He’s dead to me.
Forcing a smile and ignoring the knots forming inside my stomach, I push aside these thoughts for a moment. Aside from the confrontational aspect of Julian and Lex in the same room again, the way Lex and I left things off is unfinished. We haven’t spoken to each other since the fight in my office. He hasn’t tried to contact me, and I’m too damn stubborn to contact him.
“Wow, you guys, this is… unbelievable.” I sigh, taking it all in. “You really shouldn’t have.”
Time of death, Eric—after this party is over.
My eyes scan the room, admiring the emerald green balloons covering the ceiling. It almost looks like St. Patrick’s Day if you didn’t know it’s my favorite color.
“Isn’t it? Nikki came up with the idea and invited everyone,” Eric rushes, quick to point the finger at the child who deserves to be in the naughty corner.
I glance at Nikki with dagger eyes. Her face contorts into a devious grin, knowing the game she’s playing with my so-called love life. I could strangle her with my bare hands. How on earth will I get through this night in once piece? I eye the bottles of sangria sitting on the table, calculating how many will it take before it all becomes one big blur. My momentary plan to escape is interrupted as one by one each of them comes up to wish me a happy birthday.
“Happy birthday, hot stuff!” Rocky squeezes me tight, lifting me high. His hugs are suffocating only because of his large frame. He lets me go, allowing me to catch my breath.
Adriana hugs me next. “Char, happy birthday! Seriously, you’re rocking this Dior dress.”
“I know, right?” I beam, running my hands along the fabric. “I also bought it in blue.”
“Don’t even think about borrowing it, Adriana. I called it first.” Nikki pulls up beside her. She leans in, hugs me tightly, whispering in my ear, “Surprise. Betcha didn’t see this coming.”
