Page 43 of Charlie Takes a Chance

“Yes, of course, she texted me. Why were you there?”

“I was looking for you.”

“I assumed as much. Why did you need to see me? If you needed something, you could have just texted, you know.” I takea long sip of my coffee, hoping it will keep me from blabbing too much. I don’t want to end this last encounter with him with me sounding desperate—or worse, heartbroken. Because in my short time away from Bryce, I’ve realized something very important: he doesn’t have the power to break my heart. So, really, his breaking up with me was fortuitous.

“I miss you.”

“Well, yes, you missed me because I was out of town.”

“I didn’t mean literally, I meant?—”

“What does a figurative missing mean? Does it mean you hypothetically have the potential to miss someone? Because I don’t know how I feel about that.” I’m so nervous about this conversation I’m talking out of my butt. I have nothing useful to say to Bryce. I don’t know why I answered this call.

“Charlie, I want to get back together with you. I think we split prematurely. When I was on those dates with Elsa, all I could do was think about you.”

“That’s interesting… because the longer I’m away from you, I realize that we were not a good fit for each other.”

“Please, Charlie. Can’t we sit down and talk about this face to face?” his tone is getting slightly sharper. Another reason I’m happy to be done with him. When he doesn’t get his way, he starts to get angry.

“I don’t think that will work. I’m in Pine Ridge for the month and I don’t really have anything to say to you. You broke up with me, Bryce.”

“I know, and I regret it so much. I want to get back together. I want you to come meet my family at Christmas, even,” Bryce says it like he’s offering a trip to Hawaii rather than a neighborhood in Bend.

“Listen, Bryce, I’m actually over this and moving on. You’ll find someone to be happy with someday,” I tell him, even thoughI have my doubts where he’s concerned. “You’ll be extremely happy with someone else. Just not me.”

“Come to Christmas with me.”

“Bryce. You broke up with me. I’m not about to start something back up.”

“I’ve had time to reflect—” He starts to drone on about something he’s reflecting on, but honestly, I just zone out. I stare at the note that Max wrote me and try to figure out if the little mark next to the number is the start of a heart.

Now, that would be funny. I’d definitely never let him live that down if he signed a note with a heart. On the other hand, his penmanship is so bad it could have been the start of a stick figure drawing. I know whonotto have on my Pictionary team.

Which reminds me, I should call my grandma.

“And I think we have a bright future together.” Bryce’s words snap me out of my wandering thoughts.

“I don’t think so. I’m in Pine Ridge for the foreseeable future, but I wish you the best, Bryce. Goodbye,” I say firmly. “Oh, and stop popping by the apartment. You’re annoying Piper, and she’s scary when she gets annoyed.”

“I want you to know I’m serious about us. I realized when I was on a date the other day that everyone has eccentricities. And yours really could be an asset.”

Eccentricities? Date? Is this his way of getting back together with me? Because he’s really bad at it.

“Bryce, you said I was too different and not what you were looking for. That I was too much. And obviously, you’ve moved on, so I don’t know why you’re calling me.”

“Because it was only the third date! And I realized I liked you so much more than her. It made me miss you. I thought you liked me.”

“I thought I did too, until you showed me the truth. Really, I should thank you. I think you did both of us a favor. I’m sure you’ll be finding someone someday, but it’s not me. Goodbye.”

I hang up the phone, smiling brightly at it. I did it. I stood my ground, and I’m so proud of myself. I didn’t let him weasel his way back into my good graces. I didn’t let him explain how our breakup was my fault…because it wasn’t. He didn’t like me asmeand broke up with me because of that. It doesn’t make sense that I would be willing to jump back into a relationship with someone who doesn’t actually want me.

I sigh.

Distance is good. If I’d been home, I would have been tempted to meet him face to face…and maybe I wouldn’t have had as much clarity as I needed.

But now? Today? I get to work on the lodge then go pick up a Christmas tree without a thought for my ex-boyfriend.

Pine Ridge is growing on me—exactly like I suspected it would.

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