Page 43 of Forgotten

“You should take that.”

“But we’re talking,” I said.

“Seriously, you should take it.”

Groaning in frustration, I swiped the call open and put the phone to my ear.

“Hello?”

“Charlotte,” Graham said on the other end. He sounded like he was somewhere busy, with lots of voices around him, enough that he felt he needed to almost shout into the phone. “Charlotte, can you hear me?”

“Yes, I can hear you,” I said. “What do you need?”

“I was just making sure you were going to be on the plane before ten,” he said. “I didn’t want to spoil it for you, but there isan event in Paris tomorrow night. Something I’ve been putting together for a while, and I need you there with me.”

“Graham, I…” I began, but Jesse stood and looked down at me. The words froze in my throat as he smiled painfully, nodded, and turned to walk away. “Graham, I have to go.”

“Yes, of course. Ten p.m., though. Make sure you are there! I wouldn’t want you to miss this event!”

“I’ll call you back,” I said.

Hanging up unceremoniously, I stood, watching as Jesse walked away with a determined stride.

“Jesse!”

He didn’t stop. He kept moving toward the car, and I felt like the world was presenting me with a flashpoint moment. I could let him go and maybe never hear from him again. I’d go to Paris and see Graham and likely move on. Or I could chase him down, throw everything else away, and see where this could take us.

I knew which one was the smart play. I knew which one that anyone else would tell me to do.

But I also knew what my heart was saying.

“Jesse!” I shouted again. “Wait!”

I took off running behind him, phone in my hand, knowing that if I caught him, I might be throwing everything I’d worked for since I moved to Oklahoma into the trash. Just for the chance. The chance to make something with Jesse, with all his drama and problems.

Was I really ready for that?

Jesse turned, and in his eyes I saw the hurt and sadness that I’d never wanted to see there. But I also felt like I could change that sadness. If he would just give me a chance.

Chapter Twenty-One

Jesse

I turned to see Charlotte running toward me, her phone in her hand. It looked like it was off, but did it really matter? Not after what I just heard. It was clear I wasn’t really in the running here. Not by any real stretch of the imagination.

“Jesse, wait, don’t go,” she said.

“Why?” I asked. “Why would I stay? How in the world could I compete with that?”

“What are you talking about?”

I groaned, looking to the sky for some form of strength and finding none.

“Look, just go to Paris with your boyfriend. Forget I exist.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened, and she took a step closer to me, one hand rising to land on my chest. Her touch was like a sledgehammer to my will, but I had to stay upright. I had to keep strong.

“I don’t want him. I want you,” she said.

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