Page 103 of The Last Time

“Wow.”

I don’t know what else to say.

“I’m proud of you. You’ve put in the work in these sessions. You were willing to go deep and be vulnerable. It starts with me, now you need to apply that with the people you care most about.”

After we finish our session, I walk out with a renewed energy. I’ve run into Charlotte a time or two over the last couple of months, but it was always brief. Just a friendly, ‘How are you doing?’

Each time left me aching with the need to touch her, to kiss her.

Now, I actually get to offer her everything she deserves. A man who can give his heart to her. A feeling of dread takes over when I think about the possibility of her saying no.

I know she’s single. I only ask Layla every time I see her. But what if the time away made her change her mind entirely?

I decide to drive straight to Josh’s job site that he’s working on. I’ve been doing these sessions during work hours so I don’t have to spend more time away from Brie. She already took it hard when Charlotte stopped coming around. I didn’t want her to get more confused.

It’s already hard for her to grow up without a mother.

Just as I’m pulling into the office building that we’re renovating completely, I see Josh walking to his truck.

He spots me from a distance and waves me over.

“What’s happening?” he pats me on the back. “I was just gonna take a little break.”

“Not much. I uh,” I say as I rub the back of my neck, “was hoping you can help me brainstorm some things.”

“I’m your guy. What are we trying to figure out?”

I lean against the back of his truck, trying to get the words out. This whole being open with people thing is a bit rusty for me, but I’m trying to get back to being who I used to be and letting people in.

“Just got done with my therapy session. I’m in a good spot, and I want to win Charlotte back.”

Josh breaks out into a huge grin. “Hell yeah, you do! I’ve been waiting for this day. What do you need my help with?”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure what to say. Am I supposed to do some like big grand gesture or something? It feels kind of weird to just approach her and be like,Hey, I’m not so fucked in the head anymore. Can I get another chance now?”

He takes time before he responds, which isn’t like him. I can tell he’s taking this seriously for me. “If I’m being honest, Charlotte doesn’t seem like the type to want something too over the top. Something more personal and meaningful seems more like her.”

That does sound just like Charlotte. She doesn’t want something in front of a crowd or something cheesy. I’m trying to think of something that’s meaningful to her.

Then it dawns on me.

“Oh, I know that face. Did you just think of something?” Josh smiles.

“I think I’ve got it.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Charlotte

“How’sitgoing,sweetie?”my mother asks over the phone.

It’s a Saturday morning, and I’m just waking up to the sunrise. My coffee is brewing in my new fancy coffee machine.

I’m looking outside as the beautiful colors of the sun begin to peak up over the horizon.

“It’s great,” I say with a smile. “I’m actually just about to head down to the dock.”

“Oh, that was your father’s favorite spot,” she replies.

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