Page 49 of Brazen
She tilted her head. “You can’t always charm me out of whatever’s happening. You need to start talking to me more.”
Once I had a way to show her I was knee-deep in love, I would convince her. I kissed her cheek. “I’m not, and I am trying. I honestly believed you were in the group chat.”
“And I should believe you because you just said so?”
“Yes. I want you happy. And I’ll call Maman to ensure you’re getting the schedules.”
Her face heated. “You don’t have to.”
I hugged her closer. “I want to. I want you.”
She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead to mine. “Let’s go home, Charlie.”
Chapter Thirty
Hope
* * *
We walked toward Central Park to head back to his place, and my body was lifted. Charlie was being sweet most of the time, and even when I was annoyed with him, it was because he'd done something nice for me or because of a general character issue like not telling me a schedule. If we fixed that, all would be great. Honestly, being with him felt like I was living in a cloud full of dreams.
As we neared the building, my phone beeped. I figured it was my friends concerning the Hawaii trip, with lots of bikinis and hearts. However, Patterson’s name appeared on my screen with a message. Meet me at the coffee shop we met at right now, or I’ll send proof you’re a little liar to the world.
I flinched and gazed up at Charlie. Patterson was a huge mistake in more than one way. I swallowed. “I have to run an errand.”
Charlie smiled. “We can go together.”
One ex run-in was enough for a lifetime. And whatever Patterson had to say was nonsense. I wouldn’t let him get something on Charlie, even a photograph. I waved my hands in front of me. “No. I need half an hour.”
He kissed my cheek. “If you’re sure.”
Charlie was wonderful. I tugged his collar down and kissed him. And it was my turn to take care of him. I let him go and dashed off.
Twenty minutes later, I stood in front of the place I never went anymore. I tensed, and as I was about to go in, my phone rang. I answered Britney, who immediately said, “Hey, what should I pack?—”
I interrupted her, “Britney, I’m meeting Patterson.”
“Why? You have Charlie and Hawaii.”
I snorted. “Our weekend in Hawaii on the private jet could be off if Patterson blows up my life.”
“I’ll kill him if he ruins my vacation now,” Britney said. I was about to say goodbye when she pinged the friend group. “Avril’s closest to you. I’ll send her to this meeting as backup in case we need to protect you.”
I let out a breath. It was nice to have her on my side. I nodded. “I’m a little scared.”
“Remember, you fight for the life you want.” True, but the life I want and the life I got might not exactly mesh forever. I shook my head, said goodbye, then headed inside.
The air smelled like coffee, and the tables were all full. When I’d dated Patterson, I’d thought the indie vibe of the place was cute. However, I slumped into the black wooden chair across from my ex, and my stomach was in knots as I asked, “Patterson, why are we meeting?”
He smiled at me, and I jolted backward. His lips were thinner than I remembered. He put his phone on the table. “I wanted you to hear this.”
“Is this why I’m here?” I pivoted like I needed to run.
His voice was icy as he said, “I have the blog’s email that took your pictures and proved you’re a whore.”
The hairs on my arms all stood up. I was frozen. “So? They printed a bunch of lies about me.”
“Let me play you this…” He moved his phone closer to me.
