Page 177 of The Charlie Method

Luke Ryder has been removed from Dad Chat

Will Larsen has been removed from Dad Chat

CHAPTER FORTY

CHARLOTTE

He’s the worst, right?

AFTER MONTHS OF RIGOROUS PLANNING AND ENDLESS MEETINGS—WITHa few stellar PowerPoint presentations thrown in there—the night of the Delta Pi Presidents’ Gala finally arrives. And I have to admit, my sorority sisters killed it with the decorations. Yara’s centerpieces are downright glorious.

The ballroom at the hotel in Boston is shimmering, lit by chandeliers. I smooth the front of my pale pink dress and adjust the spaghetti straps, looking around for Will, my date for tonight.

My heart flutters when I spot him by the bar, looking impossibly handsome in a sleek black tuxedo. He catches my eye and flashes that easy smile that always makes me weak in the knees. He cleans up nicely, but I’m not surprised. Of course Mr. All-American can pull off a tux.

I can’t help but admire how he stands out among the sea of older, wealthier alumni. He looks confident, poised, like he belongs here, and I suppose he does. He’s a congressman’s son. He fits right in at these sorts of events, with these types of people.

I make my way over to him, weaving through clusters of people who are too busy schmoozing to notice me slip past. When I reach him, he kisses my cheek, his hand gently resting on my lower back.

“Sorry, this drink line is taking forever,” he tells me.

“It’s okay. We’re not in any rush. The guests of honor aren’t even here yet.”

I keep scanning the arched doorway for my mother, who texted a few minutes ago to say she was almost at the hotel. Dad couldn’t come with her tonight because of a work emergency, so she’s flying solo.

On my next scan, my gaze lands on a familiar face.

Ugh. Mitch is here.

Every muscle goes on high alert. I don’t know why I’m surprised to see him. A third of my sorority sisters are dating Delta Tau guys. Their frat is our male counterpart, and we frequently cohost events with them, so there are a bunch of Delta Tau alums in attendance tonight.

When Mitch’s eyes meet mine, he gives me a little smirk. I shift my gaze off his smug face, wondering what I ever saw in the guy. He was so sweet when we first started dating. Attentive. Kind. But his energy could never quite match mine, whether in the bedroom, academics, or general life aspirations. I can’t believe I wasted almost two years on him.

Will follows my gaze. “Is that Mitch?”

“Yup. Just ignore him.”

“Gladly.”

The bartender finally brings Will two glasses of red wine. He hands me one, and I link my arm through his as we wander away from the bar. We find a quiet spot across the room with Faith, Yara, and Blake, and rather than acknowledge the constant looks Mitch tosses my way, I try to focus on the sound of Will’s deep voice as he chats with my friends. The ballroom buzzes with laughter and conversation, the clinking of glasses echoing off the walls.

The next time I check the entrance, I spot my mother walking through the archway.

I touch Will’s arm. “My mom’s here.”

He’s unfazed. “Do you want to go over there alone first, or should I come with you?”

I stare at him.

“What?” he says.

“You’re about to meet my mother, and you’re acting like it’s no big deal.”

Will shrugs. “It’snota big deal. You told her we’re dating, right?”

Yes, but I’d neglected to mention that I’m also dating his best friend. Mom has been texting all week about how she can’t wait to meet Will, and each time I read an excited message from her, unhappiness washes over me at the reminder that Beckett isn’t here with us. He insisted he didn’t mind, that he wanted me to enjoy the night without worrying about him, but still, it doesn’t quite feel right.

It feels like I’m betraying Beckett by not introducing him to my mother. By acting like he’s not as big a part of my life as Will is.

---