Page 51 of Runaway Pride

Charlie wiped off her tears as Sarah handed her a tissue. Her heart went out to Rick. For a nine-year-old boy, it had to be difficult to go through an emotional letdown as serious as parental desertion. A parent who he thought would care and protect him.

Charlie already hated the woman. She might have had her reason to leave, but whether it was justifiable wasn’t didn’t matter. It was no wonder Rick had hangups about relationships. That experience scarred him emotionally.

But did it justify him using that to excuse his prejudice? Maybe, or maybe not. She had no control over it. It didn’t bring her much closure learning about his past.

Ultimately, he had the right to pick and choose who he wanted, and so did she.

“I know this doesn’t help your situation, but you can understand a little more from his perspective,” Sarah said. “I’m sorry you’re going through this.”

“Yeah, me too.” Although she learned about the reason behind Rick’s disdain, it didn’t change things.

She should, however, take some of the blame. After all, she was the one who started everything. The ditching of her wedding, making Rick drive her away, foolishly thinking their time together meant something more. She dived in without considering the consequences. But developing feelings for Rick wasn’t in her plans, either. So how could she still be yearning for a man who didn’t want her?

She’ll chalk it up as bad timing and incompatibility. Maybe it was more suitable that she stayed in her lane and dated someone in her “world”, as Rick coined it.

“How about we get our minds off this and order take out? I’m getting hungry,” Sarah suggested before pulling out her phone. “What do you feel like? Mediterranean? Pizza? Fried chicken?”

“Thanks, sweetie. Anything you want. I’m not that hungry.”

Sarah threw her a sympathetic expression with pursed, frowning lips. “Let’s do fried chicken delivery. I have strawberry mascarpone ice cream in the fridge!”

A smile was all Charlie could work up. Right then, the door of the apartment opened as Alex appeared in his scrubs.

“I’m home! And I come with food,” he called out. “Hey, Charlie.”

Charlie and Sarah sat up, surprised.

“I thought you had the night shift,” Sarah said.

“I got the schedule mixed up. Tomorrow is the night shift,” he said. “And look who I brought on the way.”

Heart slamming restlessly against her chest, Charlie knew who Alex had brought. She wasn’t prepared for it, so she went into panic mode.

Rick walked into the place shortly after Alex, looking just as surprised to see her. He carried a bag in his hand and stopped in his tracks when their eyes met.

“Honey,” Sarah’s voice was hard, her face narrowing in sheer annoyance. “I told you tonight is girl time.”

Missing the overtone, Alex merely grinned. “I know, but I thought it would be cool if I surprised you two with dinner and got the gang together.”

Gang? Charlie wondered. When did they become a gang?

Rick said nothing and stood still, as if his feet were bolted to the ground. Silence filled the space when neither Charlie nor Sarah spoke.

Alex’s cheerful disposition fell when he finally noticed the sudden tension. “Is something wrong?”

Charlie put away the pillow and slid off the couch. “I better go. I just remembered I need to do something for work.”

“But we’re just starting dinner…” Alex said, confused at her change of attitude and also catching the stiffness in Rick’s posture.

“I’m not that hungry,” Charlie said, avoiding Rick’s gaze and searching for her purse.

“Come on, Charlie. Stay. Work can wait,” Alex encouraged, while Sarah shut her eyes.

“No, I won’t be good company.” As Charlie snatched her purse up, she said goodbye to everyone in the room quickly before making her leave.

“Enjoy the dinner. I’ll see you later.” Thankfully, the door was still open, so she made a fast getaway and dashed outside, catching some of Alex’s voice before it faded away.

“Sarah, did we travel back in time, or was I only dreaming about them getting along?”

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