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At precisely four fifteen,Elizabeth pulled into Charlotte's driveway and honked. Charlotte came outside and climbed into the Jeep, then turned to stare at Elizabeth.
“Spill it,” Elizabeth said as she backed out of the driveway.
Charlotte sighed. “I don't have anything concrete, it's just a feeling. I wish you were there on Monday night, because then you’d understand. They were very flirtatious. The chemistry between them was palpable, and it gave me a weird feeling. Anyway, George was supposed to stay at my place, and all of a sudden he had a headache and said he wanted me to drop him at Bill's.” She paused. “This is going to sound crazy, but after I dropped him off, I drove around for a bit, and when I went past Bill’s again, his motorcycle was gone. Then last night, I called him to see if he wanted to meet me at my house after my shift was over, but he turned me down. He knew what I was offering, and believe me, Georgeneverturns me down. He's always ready to go.” She shrugged. “I just…I don’t know, I have this weird feeling.”
Elizabeth sighed. “I don't know what to say. Lydia and I hardly talk.”
“Would you call her?”
Elizabeth cringed. “And say what?”
“I don't know. Feel her out, see if she brings him up.”
“Ireallydon't want to get involved.”
“I know you don't. And I know you don't like George very much—”
“Charlotte—”
“It's okay, it'sfine. I can tell you don't.” She paused. “Why, though? Why don't you like him?”
“It's not that I don't like him. I just…he's...”
“He's what?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “I don't trust him, I guess. I get a weird vibe from him.” She shook her head and glanced at her friend. “I’m sorry, it's just a feeling. I can't explain it.”
Charlotte said nothing for a long moment, and when she finally spoke, her voice was low. “He’s aggressive sometimes. With me.”
Elizabeth's stomach dropped. “Aggressivehow? Has he hit you?”
“No, never. It's–it's the sex. He can be so sweet sometimes, and other times he's like a man possessed.”
“Has he ever hurt you?”
“No, I just…I’ve done things with him...” Charlotte stared out the passenger window. “Is Will like that?”
Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose. “All I'm going to say is that we have a healthy sex life, and I love it, but I've never felt uncomfortable with him. Ever.”
Charlotte turned to Elizabeth. “Will you call Lydia? Please?”
“Okay. But I'm not promising anything.”
“Thanks, Lizzy.”
“Are you sure you're up for shopping?”
Charlotte nodded. “You need a dress, right? Tell me about this swanky party you're going to.”
Just like that, Charlotte's mood shifted, and Elizabeth was grateful. She filled her in about the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, but she couldn’t get Charlotte’s concerns about Lydia and George out of her head.
Oh, Lydia, what are you doing?
