Page 88 of Pretend for Me

“Mom!” A shriek came from the kitchen of Sonny's on 5th. All you could hear was glass shattering all over the white tablecloth and floor.

This must have been a first—watching Bridget drop her wine glass and appear nervous? I never thought I’d see the day.

A pissed-off Charlotte came storming across the garden, holding a gift bag.

“I sent her to pick up Audrey and Henry’s engagement gift.” Bridget announced, sheepishly as she made her way to get a broom.

“Charlie, I had nothing to do with it,” Holden pleaded, raising his hands, begging for mercy.

Charlotte gave him a pointed look and then turned toward Bridget, who was making her way back to clean up her mess,both literally and figuratively. Charlie crossed her arms in an almost identical manner to how Bridget does when she scolds her staff. The scared shitless boy quickly excused him under the guise of needing to use the bathroom.

Bridget watched Charlie and pursed her lips in an effort to keep a straight face. “Char?” she responded, looking innocently at the girl who I know had stolen her heart.

Charlie huffed and glared at her.

“What?” Bridget gasped, incredulously at Charlotte’s attitude.

“Don’t ‘what’ me! You’re going to scare him away!” Charlotte whined, sitting next to Bridget at the table, slouching like she was already done with this conversation.

“Char, my love—” Bridget started, but she was quickly cut off by a hostile Charlie.

“Oh come on, don’t use your Char magic.” Charlie huffed again.

“Mom, I know what you were doing. Poor Jesse isn’t like Derek. He’s a decent guy. I’m making better choices. I’m surrounding myself with good people. You don’t need to worry, but I need you to trust me,” she pleaded, looking to Holden for support.

“She’s right, Bee. Charlie’s done incredible with all these new transitions. I mean, fuck, she has a 3.9 GPA. I don’t think I had more than a 3.0.”

Bridget smacked the back of his head for swearing in front of Charlotte. For the umpteenth time, of course.

Matthew and I couldn’t resist laughing at this comedy show before us, which earned us some pointed looks.

“Idotrust you. It’s everyone else I don’t trust.” Bridget frowned, looking like she was going to cry.

Charlotte must’ve sensed Bridget’s discomfort because she leaned in to give the only mother she’d ever known a bear hugwhich resembled Holden’s. Sometimes it was easy to forget they weren’t blood related.

“Jesse!” Bridget called.

The scrawny boy poked his head out sheepishly, and he gave her a small wave. Bridget motioned for him to come back.

Slowly, Jesse creeped back to the table, sliding in next to Charlie, doing everything in his power to avoid Bridget’s scrutinizing gaze. I felt bad for the poor guy. I too had been on the receiving end of Bridget’s wrath and it was hell.

“Hey, Jessy boy! Want a job at a food truck? Old McAlistar’s Farm is booming. I think it might give this place a run for its money, if you know what I mean?” Holden boomed, laughing at his own banter.

Crack!

Some things never changed.

It didn’t take longfor the couple of the hour to arrive. Audrey and Henry had just gotten engaged. I was thrilled that they were getting their own happily ever after. Audrey was the best friend I could’ve asked for in a period in my life when I so desperately needed someone in my corner. Henry had been nothing short of wonderful. I mean, he did save my husband’s life after all.

“Surprise!” We all shouted as the happy couple made their way into the dining room.

“You guys!” Audrey covered her mouth with her hands and started hugging everyone.

Henry handed flowers to Bridget and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He had been in on the surprise.

“Welcome to the family. I mean, the zoo,” Matthew joked, as he patted Henry on the back.

The irony of Matthew’s quip was Henry had bought a zoo. Well, maybe it wasn’t a zoo so much as an animal rescue league called Olivia’s Liberty Rescue. It was founded by Henry in lieu of an engagement ring to Audrey, who apparently was vehemently against fine jewelry. The more I thought about it, it made sense seeing as she was elbow deep in litter boxes on the daily, so who could blame her?

---