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Charlotte jutted her mouth out. “Because I think it’s true. It explains a lot.” She wrapped her arms around her middle. Suddenly there was standoffish air about her.
“Charlotte, don’t say things you’ll regret later. You’re barking up the wrong tree. There’s only one woman I have feelings for, and it’s you.”
“If you did,” she said in a cutting voice with an emphasis on the word if, “you wouldn’t hesitate to be my date at the wedding. Instead you act as if you’d be facing a firing squad. Do you have any idea of how that makes me feel?”
“I’m being as honest as I can be with you about a very delicate situation. I respect how you feel. Now please respect my position.”
Charlotte folded her arms across her chest. She narrowed her gaze. “So this isn’t about not wanting to see Fancy tie the knot? Can you really tell me that all of those feelings are completely gone?”
“Charlotte, I’ve already told you. You’re the only woman I have feelings for. And this back and forth isn’t getting us anywhere. I’m not going to stand here and try to reason with you when you’re acting unreasonable. And I won’t allow you to use the past as a battering ram against me.”
“And I won’t be a blind fool.” Charlotte’s lips were trembling and she looked on the verge of tears. Although Marc felt bad, he also was struggling with feelings of anger. How could Charlotte act like this and say these things? He had enough stress to deal with regarding his father.
Marc’s jaw tightened. “Believe what you like.” With anger pressing against his heart, Marc turned away from Charlotte. He didn’t think it was wise to stand here and argue. She wasn’t listening to him, nor was she able to see her own insecurities were rising up to the surface and choking her.
“I think we should call it a night,” she snapped, moving quickly across the sand and away from him.
The ride back to Savannah House was tense and uncomfortable. Charlotte stared out of the window for most of the ride. Her mood was pensive. He could tell she was angry by the way she wouldn’t even look at him. How in the world had things gotten so out of control so quickly?
People fought. Tensions were running high. This was just a spat. Hopefully it would blow over quickly.
When he drove up to Savannah House, there was no question of a goodnight kiss, even though Marc thought it might ease some tension. Charlotte mumbled a thank you for dinner, then vaulted out of the car. Marc didn’t even bother following after her. He was fairly angry himself at Charlotte’s unfounded accusation. She hadn’t even listened to him. She’d bulldozed right over him and made unfounded accusations about his supposed feelings for Fancy.
Maybe Charlotte wasn’t the woman he’d believed her to be. And perhaps everything had happened too fast between them. If they couldn’t manage to navigate this one thorny issue, what hope did they have of making it through the really turbulent storms of life the way his parents had?
* * *
Charlotte felt miserable. Every time she picked up the phone to call Marc she ended up putting it down. Fear had her in its grip. What if Marc wanted nothing to do with her? Days had gone by without a single word from him. She couldn’t blame him. She’d acted unreasonable and petty. Her insecurities had been in rare form that night. Marc’s refusal to attend the wedding with her brought her low self-esteem to the surface. She should just apologize and try to see if they could pick up the pieces. But something inside her wouldn’t bend. She feared if she did and he rejected her she might just shatter.
Maybe it was just better to let their relationship fade out. At least that way she wouldn’t have to deal with Marc telling her to get lost for good. She cringed upon remembering the stunned expression on his face. He’d looked at her as if she was a stranger.
To make matters worse, Case and Fancy were at Savannah House tonight, sampling a few appetizers from Morgan’s kitchen. With the wedding only a week away, a festive vibe hung in the air. Sadly, all Charlotte could do was plaster a fake smile on her face. She was truly happy for her brother and Fancy, but she couldn’t stuff down her own sadness. Life was so much sunnier with Marc in it.
She was in the kitchen with Case, Fancy, Morgan, Olivia, Callie and Hope. They were all doing a run through for the reception and tasting all the appetizers. The food tasted like sawdust in Charlotte’s mouth. She tried to make polite conversation, but her heart just wasn’t in it. Her thoughts—as always—were with Marc.
Lord, please help me. My heart is broken. I love Marc. Please help me bring down this wall I’ve built around myself. Please show me the way to make things right with Marc. I’m tired of protecting myself. I want to love and be loved. I want to believe that a man can love me for the rest of my days.
Tears began flowing down her face. She couldn’t hide her pain anymore. Everything was swimming to the surface. The attack from several years ago that had broken her. This breach with Marc hurt worse than anything. She’d lost him. She could feel it in her bones. And she would never get over this. Not in a million years.
She turned to run from the kitchen, angry at herself for breaking down in front of everyone. She heard her name being called and a strong pull on her arm. Case was stopping her from leaving the room.
“Char, what’s going on? Why are you crying?” he asked, concern radiating from his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I should just leave. I really don’t want to ruin this evening for the two of you,” Charlotte said as she tried her best to compose herself.
“You’re not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on,” Case insisted.
She threw her hands in the air, feeling hopeless. “I’ve messed up everything. I’ve lost Marc. And I’m in love with him, Case. I’ve finally fallen head over heels for someone and now he’s gone,” she cried out.
“Slow down. Did you have a fight?” Case asked.
“Yes, and he hasn’t called me for days. Of course I haven’t called him either.” More tears splashed on to her cheeks. “I’ve wanted to but my pride just wouldn’t let me. I was so afraid he would tell me it was over.”
“One little fight isn’t going to end things,” Callie told her in a gentle voice. She reached out and hugged her cousin.
“You didn’t see the look on his face or the things I said to him.” Charlotte covered her face with her hands. “I invited him to the wedding and he said it wasn’t a good idea. I was angry and feeling insecure and it made me doubt Marc. It made me think he might still have some lingering feelings for Fancy.” She began sniffling. “I was so mean to him. I called him inflexible, but I was the one who was inflexible.” Olivia handed her a tissue and Charlotte dabbed at her eyes.
“Go to him. Don’t waste another moment without being by his side,” Fancy said in an urgent tone. “Life’s too short. Case and I were forced to learn that lesson. Trust me, you don’t want to let something like that come between you.”
