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“You've been then there for less than twenty-four hours, and you've already met a French hottie,” Rory giggles through the phone.
“I'm suddenly regretting calling you instead of Ava,” I mumble, putting my phone on speaker and laying it beside me on the bed.
When I left the bar a few hours ago, I was on cloud nine. I was unable to fathom that a gorgeous man like Bryce was even willing to give me the time of day, let alone still speak to me after I told him my entire life story. But as soon as the elevator doors closed, I came to my senses.
"Ava is the last person to give you love advice, Charlotte."
I nod in response, as if she can see me, before realizing my mistake. "But she's the most levelheaded."
Ava has always been the most realistic out of all of us, keeping us grounded and focused on what’s most important. But Rory's right. She is probably the last person I should talk to right now. She'd be reminding me of all the horrible things that could have happened to me, let alone how insane it was to let a stranger kiss me.
"You're right."
"And we both know Maya would tell you to head right back downstairs and beg him to take you to his place and do dirty things to you."
We both laugh loudly.
My voice trails off as my fingers brush against my lips for the millionth time since leaving the bar. "I only know his name."
"But you also had your first kiss."
"Please don't remind me." I flinch before flopping back onto the bed and staring and the ceiling, trying to make some sense of the last few hours.
I flew around the world on a whim to learn from one of the best pâtissiers in the entire world. Spending time with an insanely attractive French businessman is out of the question. I came here to learn, not lose my virginity. Although I wouldn't complain if I could make both happen.
I've never had such a visceral reaction to any man, especially the way I felt just being near Bryce for that short time. He called to my body, as if it was recognizing its other half. But that's completely insane!
"How did you know you were in love?" I say without thinking before clasping my hands tightly over my mouth.
"I don't know. It just kind of happened," she says softly as the rustling of fabric filters through the phone. "It was like I woke up one morning and realized I was in love with Brandon. It came naturally, like breathing."
My heart pounds in my chest at the idea of having that type of love with someone. A love that’s all-consuming and effortless. An image of Bryce flashes through my mind, but I wave it away. No matter how attracted I am to him, there’s no way I can be in love with a man I don’t even know.
"Well, good thing you two are getting married in a few months."
"About that…" Her voice trails off.
I shoot up into a seated position, wondering how things have changed so quickly between Brandon and Rory.
"What do you mean? Did Brandon cheat on you?" I spit out, because that could be the only explanation.
"Nothing so serious, Charlotte. Something just seems off between us, and I can't put my finger on it." She pauses for a few moments, and the silence says more than she ever could.
Rory is having second thoughts about marrying Brandon.
"No matter the reason, you don't have to marry him, Rory." I grab the phone from beside me, taking it off speakerphone before bringing it up to my ear.
"I know," she sighs, sounding more defeated than I've ever heard her before. "No worries, Charlotte. I'm sure it's just pre-wedding jitters. Everything will be fine."
We sit in uncomfortable silence, neither one of us knowing what to say, when I glance at the clock.
My eyes widen in surprise when I see it's almost midnight. "Shit, Rory! I have to be awake in a few hours for class!”
"Okay. Night, babe. I know you're going to do amazing tomorrow!" She gives a loud whoop into the phone before hanging up.
I double check the alarm on my phone before climbing into bed.
After a night full of naughty fantasies about Bryce, I wake up to the shrill ring of my phone.
