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Thunder rolls in the distance.
"Shit." My eyes dart back to Chase and Pepper, who are laughing with a group of friends. "Didn't they hear that?" I watch as the staff starts to clear the tables. "Oh no."
"Relax. Just talked to Dad, we're moving this to the Inn for whoever wants to join."
"But we're barely halfway through the reception."
Drops of rain start to come down and Chase leads Pepper out from under the tent onto the grassy field.
"What are they doing?" I watch them both laugh in the rain. Pepper partly screaming as Chase pulls her into his arms.
"They're married. Her…aunt is here. They're surrounded by people who care about them. A little rain isn't going to ruin that. Besides, I'm pretty sure at this point, they want a smaller crowd if you know what I mean."
I look at Emma, who's relishing her daughter's happiness. What a relief it must be for her to finally see Pepper after so many years of wondering if she was alright.
"See you at the Inn in thirty?" Levi steps back, still holding my hand until I answer him.
I shake my head. "I don't think so. I'm going to stay here and make sure we get everything cleaned up."
"We'll take care of that. Why don't you go on home and join us later if you're up for it."
I nod. "Thanks for the dance, Levi." Lifting my dress, I turn and pick up my purse from my seat.
Levi's green light for me to leave is like a godsend. Because I can't sit back and pretend to be having a great time when I've spent the last three weeks walking myself into a trap with Noah again.
31
Itake off before the rest of the guests start scattering off to their cars, delaying my clean exit.
The chances of my getting a room at the Inn tonight are going to be slim, but I'll figure something out.
“Charlie,” Noah calls behind me.
I don't turn around. Bending, I take my heels off and walk along the wet grass, my dress getting stained in the process.
“Charlie, wait.”
What could he want? Why would he want to do this here? For as long as I've known the man, he's been private about everything. Now he wants to call me out on my bullshit right here?
I just need to get to his place, take my things and go.
No tears. No apologies. This won't be like last time.
The tears start falling and I’ve already broken my promise. It sure as hell feels like last time.
“Stop.”
I twist sharply. “What, Noah?”
His lips part but no words come out.
I hold up my hand. “You don’t have to say anything. I’ll do it for you. I lied. There was never any date. You assumed, and we got to where we are because of who we are.” I sniffle as the next painful words spill from my lips. “I took it too far. I wanted something from you—and you only—and that was the only way.” I swipe at a loose tear. “Making you jealous. Working your competitive nature, fooling you.”
He tries again but still nothing. Instead, he takes slow steps toward me.
“You’re speechless because there's a special word for what I did, but you can’t place it, right? Yeah, neither can I.”
He frowns and stops a few short feet from me.
