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The bistro itself was decorated with dark wood veneer, classic paintings hung on the walls, and upholstered booths. They served specialty steaks, lobster, and pasta. Grace especially loved their carbonara risotto, which Charlie had already informed Rick, including other good facts about her mother.
Once they entered the hall of the alcove, Charlie stopped in her tracks, her body stiffening into a log. Her heart seized.
At the table was her mother, sitting next to a man who wasnother stepfather, or anyone that Charlie knew. Her brain scrambled to explain the scene before her. Who was that man? Why would he be sitting next to her mother when she was supposed to be meeting…
Charlie gasped.
“What is it?” Rick asked. “Is that her?”
“Yes,” Charlie whispered back, unable to believe what she suspected.
“Who’s that with her?”
Instead of answering, Charlie stormed towards her mother, who was happily chatting with the man as if he was the funniest person on earth. It made her stomach rot. The anger boiled into a coagulum of inferno.
Stopping in front of the laughing duo, Charlie dumped her purse on the table, startling them with a loud crash.
“Mother,” she said through gritted teeth. “You brought anothermantonight?”
Unperturbed, her mother blinked back. “This was the only way to get you to agree to meet Charles,” she said, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. “It’s only fair. I meet your choice, and you meet mine.”
Twenty-Eight
Charlie was speechless,staring at her mother, who was either unaware or didn’t care about others’ feelings unless she got her own way. The latter was more likely.
The man sitting next to Grace gawked at Charlie and then at Rick. Charlie didn’t even want to see what expression Rick had on. He stood quietly next to her; he had to be as confused as she was.
When no one else spoke, the man coughed. “Grace. Am I missing something here?”
Her mother simply smiled. “Charles, this is my daughter, Charlotte. Like I’ve told you. She’s brought her… friend over. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Boyfriend,” Charlie corrected sharply. “He’s myboyfriend.”
Grace’s expression soured.Charles’slook of surprise flashed over, but didn’t turn disgusted like how Charlie felt at the moment. She wouldn’t blame him if he stormed out.
It was Rick’s turn to clear his throat amid the awkward air.
“Good evening. I’m Rick.” His voice was amazingly steady and normal. She was happy he didn’t bother to reach out his hand for a shake.
“Well, Grace.” Charles turned to her mother with a peculiar chuckle. “I’ll admit this is a little unorthodox, but I am curious enough to keep an open mind.” He gestured to the empty chairs. “Charlotte, Rick, come sit.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Charlie snapped, eyes burning at her mother. “This is by far the most despicable thing you’ve ever done. We’re leaving.”
As Charlie turned with her arm hooked around Rick’s, she felt resistance when he didn’t move with her. She stopped and frowned at him.
“I’m fine,” he whispered after lowering himself to her ear. “Let’s see this through.”
“Are you out of your mind?” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. No person with a sound mind and self-respect would agree to staying. This was clearly her mother’s scheme to ambush Charlie and demean Rick! “Nothing good will come out of this!”
“At least I’ll get to say that I survived it,” he said.
Rick looked set to stay, and she had to admire the determination. This evening would not end well. She knew her mother had malicious plans up her sleeve to have her way. Either way, Charlie was going to have to make it up to Rick for putting him in such a situation.
She relented and let him help her to an empty seat.
“How wonderful,” Grace said. “Now we can all get to know each other. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve already ordered for us.”
Charlie stayed mute, but Rick nodded. “That’s fine. Charlie said you were particular about how you want your dishes.”
