Page 61 of Perfect Night

“Mum did it.”

“I know.”

“You knew? How?”

“She told me. How did you know?”

“I found herworkingone night when I was supposed to be at a sleepover.”

Charlie was smiling.

“What’s amusing?” asked Sebastian.

“Nothing, just good to know even rich people have fucked up family issues as well.”

Bex burst out laughing, which set Sebastian off. When they calmed down, he got back to what they were talking about.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me? How old were you when that happened?”

“Sixteen.”

“Jesus. She told me after high school graduation. It was the only way she could give us a good life, but she hated doing it.”

“I get that,” said Charlie. “I wanted my mum to have a nice place to live after everything she’d done to raise me on her own. I had no other way to get the money, so I thought I may as well use what God gave me.”

“What do you mean?” asked Bex.

“He’s got a massive dick,” said Sebastian, which caused Charlie to almost choke on his coffee.

“Okay. I don’t need images of what my baby brother gets up to. I just can’t believe Mum told you, and you said nothing.”

“She asked me not to. Did she say the same to you?”

Bex nodded. They were quiet for a moment before Bex spoke again.

“Look, I know storming over here and offering to pay for Charlie’s flight so he’d leave was crossing a line.”

“You did what?”

“Oh, he didn’t tell you I said that?”

“No. He was upset when I got home, so we didn’t talk about it. But he would have told me, wouldn’t you, Charlie?”

Charlie looked sheepish and took a sip of his coffee.

“Charlie?”

“I don’t want to come between the two of you. I’m going to get a shower, anyway, as I still feel groggy. And I need to email Candice and apologise for missing our call. Don’t forget, we havethat appointment at your tailor later, which I am more than happy to cancel. I can buy off-the-rack.”

Sebastian glared at his sister, knowing she was the reason Charlie hadn’t spoken to Candice. The tuxedo was on Charlie’s inability to let Sebastian spoil him.

“There’ll be no off-the-rack. Get freshened up. I want to speak to Bex.”

Charlie jumped down off the stool, kissed Sebastian on the cheek, smiled at Bex and left them. She watched him leave before turning back to Sebastian.

“I like him.”

“You changed your tune quickly. I’ve never known you to do a U-turn in your life. You should become a politician.”

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