Page 7 of The Charm of You

“Why do you have to go at all? If you really don’t want to face them, just tell your old high school that you can no longer attend.”

“That would just raise more questions.” I lean forward to accept my turn with the champagne. “I’ve already committed, and I can’t take it back. Besides, I think it’ll be good for me to get some distance after what happened today. I haven’t been home in years. While I might not be traipsing back into town on the pedestal they all have me on, I miss it.”

“You’re a lot braver than I am. I totally flaked on my high school reunion last year due to adult acne. I had a damn zit on my forehead the size of Long Island, and I couldn’t stand to let people see me in such condition.”

“At least you have your priorities straight,” I tease.

“You know it.” She shrugs, and I laugh for the first time today.

It’s crazy to think that just yesterday, my life was great, just as my hometown predicted it would be. As far as I knew, I was kicking ass at my job, making more than enough money to support myself in New York City.

My relationship with Edward might not have been perfect, but he and I were happy. I’d convinced myself as much, anyway. After tonight and my inability to accept his proposal, I don’t know anymore.

My phone vibrates with Edward’s incoming call, and I step away from Beverly to answer. There’s not much privacy in this cramped apartment, but it’s not like I won’t recount the conversation to her afterward, anyway. She and I don’t have secrets.

“Caroline, baby, what’s going on?” Edward asks.

I wince, and my skin pricks with guilt.

“I’m coming over,” he states.

“Don’t,” I blurt, and my heart jumps into my throat.

“Are you feeling okay? You didn’t get sick from the food, did you? The restaurant has gotten nothing but rave reviews, and Chef Michaels?—”

“I’m fine, physically. I just… need some time to think.”

“You have until Wednesday.” He chuckles, but there’s a grave note in his tone too, like he’s not kidding at all. “I’d still like to show up to your reunion as the hottest, most successful couple there.”

“You don’t even know them. Why do you care what they think?”

“It’ll be fun to impress your hometown, baby.”

I wince again. I’ve never told him how much I despise when he calls me baby. He always adds a high-pitched layer to the simple word similar to the one people use to sweet-talk an actual baby.

“I’m going to the reunion alone,” I tell him, pacing along the edge of my bed. “I’ll call you when I get there tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Caroline, you’re distraught. You can’t travel in your condition. I’ll accompany you. I should be able to get a few more days off from work. The guys love me, so I’m sure it’s no problem.”

“I just need some time, Edward,” I repeat more firmly. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not making any sense, but I need a little space right now.”

I’m not sure of anything at the moment, but one thing I do know is that I need to go home.

chapter

two

AUSTIN

“I need three rolls of chicken wire.”

I pull the phone back to check the screen and make sure I read the caller ID correctly—it’s Addie, all right.

“Can you please, as my very best, most generous friend, pick some up and bring it to the old bread factory later?” she asks. “I have eighty-five other things to do before I help the students with their floats tonight. The freshmen haven’t even started on theirs, and the parade is in a week.”

“Let me guess—they’re three days, seven hours, and forty-five minutes behind schedule,” I joke and use the back of my hand to wipe the beads of sweat along my forehead. The air-conditioning at the shop is nonexistent, and after four hours of being cooped up in here, I’m feeling the weight of the heat extra hard right now.

“By the time these teens are seniors, they’ll be done over a week early, if my detailed plan has anything to say about it,” she declares, completely serious. “So? Will you pick up the chicken wire?”

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