Page 119 of The Broker

She leaned forward between the seats so we could hear her better. “And what did I do?”

He looked at me like I should understand and take his side. “She said, fine, no problem, and called up my roommate that same day, asking him to take her out. Can you believe that?”

My mom’s grin widened ear to ear. “And what didyoudo?”

“You mean after I threatened to kick his ass?” He begrudgingly admitted it. “I realized I was a goddamn idiot, and that you’re the love of my life.”

She sank back in her seat, crossed her arms over her chest, and couldn’t have looked more victorious if she’d tried. “I was never actually going to go out with him, you should know. You just needed a little nudge. Because sometimes people don’t know what they have until it’s gone.”

“Your mother’s right,” he said. “I wasn’t sure about my future until I saw one without her, and then I was damn sure she was my future.” He tilted his head as he evaluated me. “You’re not sure how you feel about this girl, and I understand that. But you sent her packing because you got scared, and you probably haven’t thought about the fact that she’s going to move on. You feel good about that?”

No, of course I didn’t feelgoodabout it.

I fucking hated it.

The idea of Charlotte with someone else turned my stomach and caused a cold sweat to break out on the back of my neck. This wasn’t jealousy. My mind wasn’t screaming that no one else could have her.

It was shouting at me about what a dumbass I’d been.

She couldn’t be with anyone else—she belonged with me, and I belonged with her.

“Oh, fuck,” I whispered.

“I told you,” my mother said triumphantly.

I was in love with Charlotte.

Of course I would figure this out days after I’d fucked everything up with her. “What the hell do I do?”

My dad peered at me like the answer was obvious. “You tell her.”

It wasn’t that simple. “She won’t talk to me.”

“Oh, well, in that case, I guess you should just give up.” His tone was plain. “I mean, you tried everything, right?”

That was... not helpful, but I stayed quiet because my mind began to work the problem.

My father’s teasing expression turned serious.

“I’ll tell you what to do—it’s the same thing I did.” He turned in his seat so he could glance back at my mother, and he sounded more genuine than I’d ever heard him. “If you love this girl, you do whatever the hell it takes to get her back.”

THIRTY-ONE

Charlotte

I sat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen, scrolling through Instagram, while my mother cooked dinner. She’d asked for my help, but it quickly became obvious she didn’t really want it. Her goal had been to get me out of my room, and to try to force an interaction with my father.

But it didn’t happen.

He was avoiding me just as much as I was him, and we hadn’t spoken since the night Noah had broken up with me. If my dad was expecting another apology from me, well, he’d have to wait forever.

Because I’d apologized enough, and now I was fucking done.

My gaze lifted from the phone screen so I could glare at the gorgeous flower arrangement that sat as a centerpiece on the kitchen island. It was vibrant pink roses and white lilies, nestled in greenery and arranged in a tall, clear vase.

It was the first time a guy had ever sent me flowers. It had been delivered this afternoon, bearing a card that said it was from Noah, and that he was sorry and to please call him.

I’d been halfway to the garbage toter in the garage when my mom stopped me. “Throw out the card if you want,” she had begged, “but these are too beautiful to go to waste.”

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