Page 52 of The Last Time

Charlotte

“I’msoexcitedweget to do this,” Layla says as we walk down the streets of Savannah.

“I know. You definitely need the night off. You work your ass off at the café. When’s the last time you even took a vacation?” I ask her.

I see the guilty look on her face. “I haven’t taken one since I bought the café.”

“Girl, you need a trip.”

She sighs. “I know. It’s just so hard to walk away from the café and trust someone else with it. It’s my life, Charlotte.”

I nod, understanding her concern. Although, I can’t quite think of anything in my life that I feel that strongly about.

What would it be like to be so passionate about something? I have my job, and Iloveit. But it’s not like that for me. It’s not my life, my entire source of happiness.

The scary thing is, right now, I can’t remember the last time I’ve ever felt this happy. There’s something about this place that makes my heart feel at home, but it’s more than that. It’s the man who owns my thoughts that is making the difference.

“Alright. This is the place my friend recommended.” Layla opens the door to a fancy little Italian restaurant.

We are seated by the window overlooking River Street. The street is filled with people walking along the cobblestone, while the lantern lights set the mood.

“You up for sharing a bottle of red?” Layla asks.

“Sure. You can choose. I’m not picky.”

While she scans the wine list, I look out the window again at the view. This place holds so many memories, so many incredible memories. I hate that I’ve tucked those memories away just so I didn’t have to face the reality of what my father did.

Why was it so easy for him to leave me?

I shake my head. Don’t go there tonight, Charlotte.

Layla orders the bottle and an appetizer for us, then folds her arms on the table in front of her.

“Okay, so…how has your time back in Isle of Hope been?” she asks with a smile.

“It’s been good. I’ve actually been thinking about how happy I am that I was forced back here. It was just what I needed. I was in a bit of a rut back home.”

She turns her head to the side. “Why?”

“Oh, just stupid boyfriend stuff,” I say as I wave my hand in the air.

“Well,” she says as the waiter pours our glasses of wine. “Seeing as that we have the entire night, and now some alcohol to ease the pain, I’d say you should catch me up.”

I smile and lift my glass of wine. “To drinking while talking shit about exes.”

“I’ll cheers to that. I’ve got some shit I could air out, girl. You go first.”

I take a large sip of my wine. “So, my most recent failed relationship lasted a year. It was such a cliche ending. Dated for a while, then when I wanted to know if we were headed somewhere serious, he freaked out and ended things abruptly. I felt completely taken aback. I thought, after being together for a year, it was a completely reasonable question to ask, especially given our age.”

Layla leans back in her chair and gasps. “The nerve of the asshole.”

I shake my head in agreement. “Yeah. It was a couple of rough months for me after that. That was about a year ago. I’ve kind of been on a bit of a break from men ever since.”

“Interesting,” Layla says thoughtfully. “And this thing between you and my brother?”

My body freezes. “What about me and your brother?”

She rolls her eyes but smiles. “Let’s not pretend like there isn’t something going on between the two of you. You guys disappeared at the bar the other night, then came back, and Asher all of a sudden wanted to dance for the first time in years. And let me tell you, the smiles on your faces while you two danced, I haven’t seen him like that in a long time. Have you guys acted on this chemistry?”

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