Page 71 of Live Like There's No Tomorrow
Charlotte nodded. “It’s okay, I’m not upset or offended or anything.”
“Good,” said Renée. “I’d hate to think I had upset you.”
“Honestly, I’d hate to think that I’d upset or offended you, too. I wanted to ask you if I’d be welcome tonight. Everyone seemed to think I should be going, but I haven’t been invited. And someone suggested that I might not be, since Angel’s going.”
Renée’s eyes widened. “Oh my goodness! Of course you’re invited! I haven’t seen you to ask you personally, but I just assumed you’d know you’re included. Of course you are.”
Charlotte smiled, feeling a little embarrassed. “I’m sorry, this all feels a little bit like high school. It’s not a case of I’m not coming if she is. I just thought that knowing you, you’d want to include and take care of her, and I didn’t want to barge in and spoil that.”
“Yes, I have been trying to include her in things. I don’t like to see her left out in the cold. But my goodness, Charlie! There’s no way I’d leave you out.”
Chance smiled at them. “Okay, then. I’m glad we sorted out that little misunderstanding, ladies. Why do women make everything so complicated?”
Charlotte laughed. “I don’t know it’s just a talent, it seems to come naturally.”
“Well, it’s a talent you might want to keep in check.”
“I’m trying,” said Charlotte with a smile. “In fact, I’m quite proud of myself for coming over here to ask.”
“I’m proud of you, too,” said Renée. “It would have been awful, if you’d just assumed you weren’t invited and had stayed home.”
“Yeah,” said Chance with a smile. “Our Charlie may be complicated, but she’s never been one to just sit home.”
Charlotte gave him a puzzled look. “I’m going to take that as a compliment, even though I’m not sure it was intended as one.”
Chance grinned at her. “It was. Don’t worry. I just mean you’re more likely to take life by the horns than to sit and let it pass you by. Anyway, I need to get going. He held up his bag of goodies. I’m off to see my dad.”
“Say hi for me,” said Charlotte. “I’ll have to get over and see him soon.”
“He’d like that. You ladies have a good time tonight. I’ll see you around.”
Chapter Twenty
Ben smiled to himself as he looked around at Giuseppe’s. It was weird to see all the guys out without the ladies. It felt weird to him to be out without Charlotte. She’d only been back a couple of weeks, but he felt like he was missing a part of himself when she wasn’t by his side. He was surprised to see Jack standing in a corner. He made his way over to him. “I thought you weren’t coming.”
Jack scowled. “So did I. I wouldn’t be here if it were up to me. My mom wanted to come over and hang out with Emma. They pretty much kicked me out of the house.”
Ben tried to hide his smile. He could imagine Emma wanting to get him out of the way for a little while. He was a great guy, but his tendency to want to take care of every detail could get to be a little much sometimes. And with a new baby at home, this might be one of those times. “You know what women are like,” he tried to sound sympathetic. “They like to have a little time to themselves. You should make the most of it, enjoy yourself while you’re here.”
Jack’s face relaxed a little and he smiled. “I know, you’re right. Even I know I’ve probably been a bit much since we brought Isabel home. Anyway, how about you? What’s going on in your world?”
“I’m doing great, thanks.”
“I’m glad. I used to worry about you, you know. I didn’t know you when you and Charlie were together. To me she’s only ever been a name, the girl who broke your heart. I didn’t think she was ever coming back and I didn’t think you were ever going to be happy. I’m glad things are finally working out for you.” His smile faded a little. “It must have been hard for you two to come to the hospital.”
Ben nodded. “It was, but we were both glad we came. It was such an important day in your lives and we wanted to be a part of that. Plus, I think in some ways it helped us. You don’t ever get over that loss, you know, but being there for you helped us move through it somehow.”
Jack nodded. “I’m not sure I understand that, but I hope it did help and not hurt.”
Pete appeared out of the crowd and grasped Jack’s shoulder. “Cheer up, daddy! You’re supposed to be out here to enjoy yourself, not standing in a corner moping with Ben.”
Ben shook his head at him. “We’re not moping. We’re having a meaningful conversation, if you don’t mind.”
“I do mind. This isn’t the time for deep and meaningful; it’s time to party and have fun.”
Jack smiled. “I guess.”
Pete gestured to the long table where most of the guys were sitting. “Shall we join them?”
