Page 145 of Never Kiss and Tell

What makes me happy?

Charlie made me happy, for a short time.

My friends make me happy. My siblings make me happy.

My writing makes me happy.

Freedom makes me happy.

Charlie brought a sense of freedom I’ve never known. In New Orleans, I was free to make my own choices, be my own person. No mixers with high profile execs and CEO’s. No worrying that my makeup was perfect one-hundred percent of the time. I had no need for a therapist, because I had allowed the person I was most afraid of to come out and see the sun, for once.

“You look like you’re thinking extra hard over there,” Savannah says. “You’ve got that look.”

“What look?”

Her eyes flash with amusement. “That look that says you’re going to rebel.”

On the ride home, I roll up the divider between myself and Darius — a new driver Marcus hired while I was gone. I just want a moment alone to collect my thoughts before the party tonight. I can’t stop thinking about what Savannah said about Charlie.

I suck in a deep breath through my teeth, my stomach roiling with nausea. Surely, he’s read my letter by now. Is heafraid to call?

Or maybe he’s moved on, my thoughts intrude.

Would he move on that fast? He didn’t ask me to stay. I mean, we did make a deal.

I haven’t allowed myself to question why he hasn’t reached out to me. Talking to Savannah shot that plan all to shit. Now, I can’t think of anything else.

I could text Andi and ask how he’s doing, but she’ll know something’s up. The last thing I want is her to tell Charlie I miss him when he’s currently courting some other girl. How embarrassing, holding on to someone who doesn’t want you.

Then again, he did tell me to call him if I ever get tired of California. That has to mean something, right? Right?

“You know what, Bailey, just fucking call him. Pretend like you forgot something.”

Trying not to dwell on the fact that I’m now talking to myself, I dial the number into my phone and press it to my ear. I hang it up a second later, before it even has a chance to connect and toss it like it burnt me.

“Jesus Christ, Bailey,” I grumble, bending down to pick the phone up off the floor. Stop being a pussy and call him.

I repeat the call and this time, I let it ring.

Only, it just rings once, before going straight to voicemail. The standard voicemail voice comes over the phone, telling me to leave a message. It’s not even Charlie’s voice.

Sinking back into the seat, I just hang up. If that’s not a sign from the Universe, I don’t know what is.

The car stops and I realize we’ve made it home and I didn’t register it.

Wiping the stray tears out of the corners of my eyes, I step out and shut the door behind me before I see someone that wants to talk to me. My entire plan centers around going up to my room and having a good cry before my sisters get home to prepare for tonight.

Except when I get to my room, I spot my laptop discarded on the floor by my bed and an idea strikes me.

It’s crazy, probably stupid, and I don’t know what the hell the plan is once I start it. But it feels right when I sit down and open up a blank Word document.

Who says Heath and Celia can’t have a sequel, just because Charlie and I can’t?

“God, could this dress be any tighter?” I complain as Mila helps me strap into the crimson lace and silk sheath dress that I’ve chosen to wear tonight.

“Well, it doesn’t help that you’ve been eating ice cream every night.”

I scoff at my youngest sister, though I know she’s right. I’ve gained five pounds since I bought this dress three months ago. It’s my own fault.

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