Is there anyone you won’t try to sleep with?
Charlotte’s POV
I had never wanted Saturday to stay away so badly. But there it was, unwelcome and staring me in the face like it had every right to be here.
Today was my mother’s wedding day. A day I was supposed to be happy about. And maybe part of me was, but that part was buried deep under everything else I was feeling.
Because today also meant seeing Luther again.
After so many days of trying not to think about him, trying to push him out of my mind like he had not once taken up all the space in it, I was going to be in the same place with him. For hours. With nowhere to hide.
As if that was not hard enough, the weight of my dad’s memory sat quietly in the corner of my heart. Always there. Always watching.
Stanley was kind. He had tried. But he was not my dad.
“Charlotte, are you ready?” my mother called from downstairs. Her voice floated up, full of excitement and nerves.
“Almost,” I replied, adjusting my necklace as I stared into the mirror. My face looked calm, even though I felt anything but.
“You look amazing,” Kate said as she fixed a bit of lipstick near the corner of my mouth.
“I wish I felt that way,” I muttered, letting out a breath I had been holding for too long.
Kate stepped in front of me and took both my hands. Her dress, a smooth cream colour, wrapped around her like it had been made just for her.
“I know this is not easy,” she said gently. “You want to be happy for your mom, but a part of you still misses your dad. And no matter how good Stanley is, he will never be the man your father was.”
I gave a slow nod, tears stinging behind my eyes. I had told myself I would not cry today.
“I feel like I am turning my back on him by going along with this,” I said quietly. “But I know he would not want me stuck in sadness. He always wanted peace for us. Love.”
Kate smiled. “Your father would want you to live. Not just exist. Let his memory guide you, not hold you in place.”
I wiped the corner of my eye carefully, trying not to smudge my makeup.
“I am trying,” I whispered. “But I do not know how to pretend when I know Luther will be there.”
Kate opened her mouth to say something, but we both turned when the door burst open and Loveth peeked in.
“Your mom says she will come up here with a broom if you are not downstairs in the next thirty seconds,” he said, disappearing before Kate could even roll her eyes.
Kate sighed, then looked at me with a grin. “Time to go. Let us show these men we do not need to be wrapped around anyone’s finger.”
I nodded, and we walked down together.
Most of the guests were already downstairs, friends, relatives, old colleagues. Even my uncle from my dad’s side was here. He had told me he supported my mother’s choice. That it was okay for her to move forward, and that I deserved someone to look up to.
Everyone had left for the venue except the three of us. Gavin was meant to pick me up. Kate was supposed to ride with Loveth. Neither of them was speaking to the other.
Loveth shoved his hands into his pockets. “This is awkward,” he muttered.
“I am not leaving Charlotte alone,” Kate said flatly, avoiding his gaze.
Just then, a car honked outside. Kate grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door.
“Smile. Even if it is fake,” she said, opening the door and nudging me forward.
Gavin stepped out of his car, his eyes travelling over me in that way that used to make me feel special, but now only made me feel exposed.
“That dress looks like it was made for you,” he said. He wore a sharp black suit and polished shoes, clearly dressed to impress. “The red brings out your skin. And that body…”
I forced a smile, though every word twisted in my stomach like sour milk.
“Thank you,” I said. I had invited him, so I had to tolerate this.
I climbed into the car, wishing the lake was farther away. Wishing I had made a different choice.
But there was no turning back now.
My mother was getting married.
And the man who made my chest ache with feelings I could not explain would be waiting at the same place.
**********************
"Oh wow, this is beautiful," I said as Gavin helped me out of the car. My eyes scanned the lakeside setup, the aisle was framed with flowers, white chairs arranged neatly in two curved rows facing each other, creating a small open circle where the bride, groom, and pastor would stand.
“It’s... simple,” Gavin muttered, the last word dripping with sarcasm.
"Not your usual extravagant scene?" I replied, my tone sharp as I looked around. Guests were arriving in clusters. I spotted Kate and Loveth standing off to the side, caught in what looked like a heated discussion. Mom was likely in the cabin, and Stanley in one of the cars, waiting for the ceremony to start.
“You could say that,” Gavin said with a shrug, not even trying to hide his boredom. “I usually attract the press wherever I go. This place? Not exactly headline material. But hey, at least you’ll steal the spotlight. That should help."
My hand curled into a fist by my side. His words made my stomach twist. The way he spoke about my mother’s wedding like it was some forgettable event, just another day, set my teeth on edge.
Unlike him, Luther had never made me or Mom feel small. Even with his success and wealth, he had always seemed at home in our little house. I shook the thought away, reminding myself not to compare the two.
“If it isn’t Gavin Hugh,” came a voice behind me.
I froze. My heart jumped before slamming back into rhythm. I knew that voice. Luther.
I did not turn, but my hand started to sweat in Gavin’s grip.
“Luther King,” Gavin said, his voice sour as he let go of my hand and turned. “What are you doing here?”
“I should be asking you that,” Luther replied, his deep voice sending a familiar shiver down my spine. “The bride is my brother’s fiancée. That makes me family. What about you?”
I swallowed hard. Gavin’s next words made me cringe.
“My date’s mother is getting married. Which makes you the outsider.”
“You clearly missed the part where the groom is my brother,” Luther said, calm but with an edge that was impossible to ignore.
Gavin scoffed, loud and dramatic. “Oh God, you’re sick.”
I turned slowly, dreading what would come next, only to find Luther standing a few steps away. A tall brunette clung to his side, her arm looped around his waist like she belonged there.
“You punched me over your step-niece?” Gavin continued, laughing under his breath. “Man, that is messed up.”
I felt a knot form in my throat. I had hoped Gavin would not bring that up, not here, not now. I still had not explained everything to him, and this was not how I wanted it to come out.
“You’re disgusting,” Gavin added, loud enough for others nearby to hear. “Seriously, Luther. Is there anyone you won’t try to sleep with?”
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
