Page 75 of Live Like There's No Tomorrow
“Were you looking for someone? Do you mind if I ask what your story is? Ben told me that you’d been through a hard time and that the two of you had been able to talk to each other.”
Angel nodded. “Before I came here I got stood up at the altar. Well, he almost made it to the altar. He probably would have if he hadn’t stopped to screw one of my bridesmaids in the back of the church.”
“Damn! I’m sorry.”
Angel shrugged. “It was better that I found out before we got married. But it still hurt like hell. I still feel like such a fool.” She gave Charlotte a sad smile. “And now I feel like a fool again. I thought Ben was wonderful, I thought he might be perfect for me. I mean, he’s such a great guy. I just didn’t realize what he and everyone else already knew, which is that he’s perfect for you.”
“Part of me wants to say I’m sorry,” said Charlotte. “I am sorry for you and for the way things have worked out for you, but I can’t ever be sorry that Ben and I are together.”
“I understand that.”
“Maybe we can find you your own Ben?”
Angel smiled. “I think I need to take a break from even thinking about being with any guy. I really do feel stupid, and I’m not sure it won’t be too awkward for me to stay here.”
Charlotte nodded. “You have to do what is right for you.”
“Well, I didn’t expect to see the two of you hanging out and chatting away like this,” said Missy as she joined them.
“You know full well that I didn’t,” said Charlotte.
“That makes three of us,” added Angel with a smile. “I’ll leave you two to it.”
Charlotte shook her head. “Don’t go. You should come over to the bar and hang with us.”
Angel looked over to where Kenzie was still standing with Laura and Holly. Laura and Holly had the good grace to try to look as though they hadn’t been watching. Kenzie simply glared at Angel.
“I’m not sure I’d be welcome,” said Angel.
Missy put her hands on her hips. “We’ll see about that,” she said with a grim smile. “Kenzie might just need reminding how she felt when she was new around here. She needs to show you the same kind of welcome everyone showed her.”
“It’s okay. I understand. She’s close to Ben. She’s just protective of him.”
Missy linked her arm through Angel’s and started leading her toward the bar. “We’re all close to Ben. And he’d hate for her to treat you like that on his account.”
Charlotte smiled to herself as she followed them. Missy was right, and it was time to welcome Angel as one of them into the gang.
Kenzie pulled her phone out of her pocket just as they reached them. She answered it and covered her ear with her hand.
“What? … I can’t hear you … She’s what? … Oh my God! … Where are you? … Okay.” She hung up and looked around at them wide-eyed. “Megan’s on her way to the hospital, her waters broke.”
Missy grinned. “That’s awesome. Two babies in one week!”
“Chase is coming to get me. I need to get over there. He said all the guys are coming.” She grinned. “I’m going to go outside to meet him. Next time I see you, I’ll be an auntie.”
Charlotte closed her eyes for a moment. She was happy for them; Michael was one of her oldest friends and Megan was a sweetie. But, like Missy had said, two babies in one week. She hoped that Ben was on his way with the other guys. If they were going to be there for their friends again, she wanted them to face it together.
Chapter Twenty-One
It was ten past one in the morning when William Morgan came into the world. Ben and Charlotte were sitting in the waiting room, surrounded by so many of their friends. He squeezed her hand when the nurse came out to tell them that mother and baby were doing well. He smiled to himself, thinking of little Ethan. He knew the kid would be thrilled to have a little brother, he’d been dreading a sister.
Charlotte looked into his eyes with a sad smile.
“Do you want to go home?”
She shook her head. “We came, we’ve waited this long. We need to go in and see them, but then, yes, I’d like to go home. As long as you’re coming with me.”
“You know I am.” He got to his feet, knowing that Kenzie and Gabe would want to go in with Doc and Lizzie, but hoping that he and Charlotte could get in before some of the others.
