Page 148 of The One I Hate
Chapter 35
Charlie
When I opened the diner, I had hopes that someone would want to use my space for parties or showers.
Who knew the first one would be mine?
Everyone I love is here. Connor brought Lila down so she could be part of this, though she was upset when she found out Jayce wasn’t here. She quickly got over it when Magnolia took her under her wing. People from the town whom I’ve come to love, including my Dice Gal Gang. All of Simon’s sisters are here, well, except Quinn. Simon’s mom is the master of ceremonies. She, along with Whitley, Betsy, Izzy, and Amelia, planned every detail of this. Mellie coordinated all of the food. They told me all I needed to do was show up.
Which is what I did.
I showed up. I planted a smile on my face. And I’m pretending everything is okay.
Even though it’s not.
I keep looking at the door, waiting for Simon to walk in. Because he would. He knows this shower is women only—Amelia was very clear with him on that fact—but he wouldn’t care. He’d come in, likely carrying some extravagant gift or bouquet of flowers, and everyone would “ooh” and “ah” overhim. I’d roll my eyes because of his antics, but I’d also secretly love them in the same breath. He’d come over to me, place his hand on my now very large baby belly and give me a soft kiss.
It would be perfect.
I suck in a breath, fighting away the tears. I can’t cry. Not today. Not in front of my family and friends and right before we’re about to open presents.
“Oh my God, Mellie!” Stella says with half a cupcake in her mouth. “These cupcakes are to die for. Oh my God! There’s an actual strawberry in this!”
Mellie smiles at the compliment. “You’re too kind.”
“No. You don’t understand.” Stella says as she stuffs the rest of the strawberry cupcake into her mouth. “I have looked all over Nashville, and really, all of Middle Tennessee, for cupcakes for my wedding. Andnothinghas come close to this.”
“You haven’t tried her cookies and cream cupcakes yet,” I say. “I’d do dirty things for one of those.”
Stella dabs the corner of her mouth before linking her arms through Mellie’s. “Come with me.”
“Where are we going?”
“To talk details of how I can hire you to make every cake, cupcake, and cookie for my wedding.”
I smile as I watch Simon’s youngest sister lead Mellie to an empty table. From the few interactions I’ve had with Stella, the woman sees what she wants and doesn’t take no for an answer. Which means Mellie is about to have the biggest order of her life, and she’s not going to be sure how she agreed to it. Stella has this way of getting what she wants with a smile on her face, and not chipping a nail. I don’t know how she does it.
“Hey, have you eaten?”
I turn to see Amelia standing next to me, holding a heaping plate of a little bit of everything that is being served.
“I’m good.”
I tried to say that with confidence. Amelia clearly isn’t believing me.
“How about we eat anyway.” She sits down next to me, handing me a fork. “We have about ten minutes to recover from the games before it’s time for presents. Which means you have to be in smiley, happy mode. You need all the protein, carbs, and sugar you can get.”
I laugh. “Why did I agree to games again? They exhausted me more than I thought.”
“Because we put the two sorority girls Betsy and Whitley in charge of activities. You know if Izzy and I were in charge, it would be food, then presents, then a see-you-later.”
I laugh as I take a big bite of the mushroom and cheese omelet. And as quickly as the laugh comes, it dies in my chest.
Because that’s where I hurt the most.
Simon and the fucking mushrooms…
“Hey,” Amelia says, realizing my swift change in demeanor. “You okay?”
