Page 147 of Never Kiss and Tell

Excuse me? Charlie called him.

“Charlie called you?”

“Yeah. Made me realize what I’d done. I knew I needed to apologize, but I had to do it in person.”

My gut quivers, my stomach dancing like it’s filled with a million butterflies.

I shake my head. “Not necessary. I’m just glad you showed your true colors before we got married.”

“Bailey, if you would just agree to try it, I’m sure you would enjoy it.”

I look him dead in the eye. “Oh, I’ve tried it since then. In fact, I’ve done a lot of things since I left you, with a man who made me feel safe. And Drew,” I tell him, leaning in, “I enjoyed every moment.”

“Coulter? Your mom told me about him. Poor bartender. No real prospects.”

“Will beat you to a pulp if he ever meets you? Yep, that’s the one. And for the record, he owns the bar.”

“What about our plans?” Drew asks, catching my arm as I’m about to walk away. “I loved you, Bailey. I’m sure we can work this out.”

I look to where his hand is sealed tightly around my wrist and anger boils inside me so hot the back of my neck breaks out in a sweat. “If you ever touch me again, I will use garden shears to cut your dick off and mail it to that witch you call a mother.” I rip my hand away from his grasp and walk away.

He calls after me, but I simply hold a finger above my head, garnering a gasp from an elderly lady at the table next to me and a chuckle from her husband.

I stop at the donations table, having decided to make my contribution and leave. Such a shame the beautiful dress I’m wearing will go to waste. I fill out my form, with the customary amount my sisters and I always donate and move to hand it over.

I should have never come back here. I don’t belong here anymore.

“Here,” I smile, handing my check to the woman working the table. The same time I do, so does someone else. I jerk as our hands collide and that familiar tingle slides up my back.

“Wow, what a generous donation,” the woman smiles, beaming at the other guest. “You, as well,” she nods to me, before scurrying off to grab our tax receipts.

I step back from the table, allowing myself to finally look at him.

Stormy gray eyes zero in on mine.

“What are you doing here?” I breathe, clutching my locket.

Charlie’s hands are shoved in the pockets of his tux pants and he’s watching me as if he can’t believe I’m real.

“Came to donate to charity, of course,” he murmurs. The timbre of his voice causes goosebumps to raise on my arms.

My eyes narrow. This can’t be happening. Not right now, in this room full of people.

“Here we are.” The lady returns, handing us each our receipts. Charlie eyes me, searching my face.

I want to run to him. I want to jump into his arms and kiss him like I’ve dreamed for the last couple weeks. I just want to feel him.

So, I walk the other way.

I make it all the way to the back door, entering the gardens before he catches up to me.

“Please don’t run.” I should have known he would catch up to me in no time. My heart races in my chest, fluttering when his fingers brush the back of my arm.

I whirl on him, my hair flying around me and completely abandoning the delicate curls Mila had added earlier.

“You just show up here, of all places?” I snap. “I tried to call you.”

“Yeah, I did.” His eyes darken, a look I don’t recognize on his features. “And I was on the fucking plane.”

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