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‘Serious isn’ton the cards… I don’t want that commitment shit ever again.’
I can’t believe it.
I mean yes, sure, I knew hypothetically that Charlie had these feelings about long-term relationships, but I thought that all the time we’ve been spending together might have changed his mind. Or at least opened it to the possibility of a future.
But it sounds like I was wrong.
I stare at him, still reeling. I can’t even pretend I’m okay. Vaguely, I’m aware of Dash blowing out a breath and then making a swift exit, leaving us on the balcony alone.
“I take it you meant all that?” I ask, as controlled as I can be, with my heart aching and my emotions in a whirl. Even after everything, I don’t want him to see me cry. “It wasn’t just bros being bros?”
I can’t hide the hopeful note in my voice, grasping for the last chance that Charlie was putting it all on. Acting casual for his buddy. Pretending not to care.
But Charlie’s guilty, defensive look tells me everything I need to know.
He meant it.
“Look, Grace,” he starts, glancing away.
“I didn’t know you were listening.”
“And if you had known?” I ask, folding my arms. “Would you have said anything different?”
He sighs.
“You knew where I stand on this. I made myself clear.”
“Yes, at the start of things,” I shoot back. “But that clear message got a little murky, what with all the nights we’ve spent together, the dates, everything we’ve shared.”
I’m horrified to hear my voice twist with emotion, but I can’t help it.
After everything, I never really mattered to him.
“How can you be mad at me?” Charlie demands. “I never lied. This is exactly why I wanted you to be my wedding date all summer!” he tells me hotly. “Because weddings kick up ideas about commitment, and I always said, I don’t want that.”
And just like that, I hear him lift himself neatly off the hook. The deal. Our arrangement. That this would all be pretend, no strings attached.
But what about everything he’s done since then? Every murmured sweet nothing, and kind gesture, and late night tangled in each other’s arms.
Did they mean nothing to him?
DoImean nothing?
“Ahem.”
A voice comes, and we both turn. It’s one of the bridesmaids, Natalie, looking supremely uncomfortable. “Sorry to interrupt, but, the ceremony’s about to start. Grace?”
“Coming!” I blurt, relieved to have an exit, before I break down completely.
“Grace—” Charlie says, looking guilty, but I stop him.
“Later. This is about our friends, and their happy occasion.”
I follow Natalie back inside, and force a smile, beaming like it’s the greatest day of my life.
Even as my heart is breaking.
But of course,there’s no escape from Charlie—not when he’s one of the groomsmen, standing right across from me.
