Page 119 of The Love Playbook

“He’s wonderful.” Emotion flickers through her dark gaze as she sinks back into the couch with her cup of tea. “The two of you remind me so much of me and your father when we were that age.”

Her words prickle, and though I try to shake them off, they stick like glue.

I release a stilted laugh, more than a little uncomfortable with the comparison. “Oh, I don’t know about that. Didn’t you and Dad know each other when you were kids?”

Mom hums, staring off into space as if remembering. “Yes, but we didn’t really date until college. Besides, young love looks the same on everyone. I still remember how your father pursued me. Part of me just couldn’t fathom why he wanted me, you know? He was so suave and handsome, and all the girls wanted him. There’s something special about being chosen by someone like that, about feeling seen in that way. So, when I finally gave in, that was it for me. I fell hard, and there was no going back.”

I shift, her words pricking under my skin like thorns.

Chris and I are not my father and mother. I know that. Just like I know there is no room for comparison, but as I sit there across from her, watching the glow of happiness fade from her cheeks, I can’t help but feel like she’s sending me a message?a warning?that she and I are the same, and if I don’t watch, I’ll end up just like her.

Chapter 29

CHRIS

Icheck my reflection in the mirror one last time, rolling the sleeves of my shirt to the elbows before I hit myself with a spritz of cologne. Any minute now, Charlotte will be here, and somehow, I’m nervous as fuck, which is ridiculous. After spending the week at her mother’s house and squeezing in time with her when I could, she’s back on campus. I’ve got the girl; things are returning to normal, and we’ve fallen into a rhythm. But when it comes to love, Charlotte is like a feral animal?skittish and scared. I can see in her eyes how much she wants to feel loved and how willing she is to give it, but I can’t help but fear that if I make one wrong move, I’ll scare her off.

I exhale and step away from the mirror, bending to pull on my shoes when there’s a rap on my door. “Your girlfriend is here!” Jace yells.

Grinning, I hurry through my room into the living room, wondering if the sound of him calling Charlotte my girlfriend will ever get old.

I pause, raking in the sight of her in a black dress and knee-high boots with a heavy sweater wrapped around her shoulders to ward off the chilly autumn air. Seems a shame it’ll be wasted on dinner with our parents when I’d rather it just be us.

Beside her, Brynn is talking her ear off; some story about the resident adviser at Hyde Hall that has the both of them in stitches.

I settle in, enjoying the view of Lettie’s head tipped back in laughter and looking deliriously happy, when she catches sight of me from across the room. Our eyes lock, and my insides melt.

Ignoring Jace’s snicker, I close the gap between us in two long strides and scoop her up, wrapping her legs around my waist like a baby koala.

With a sigh, I sink my face into the side of her hair and breathe her in like it’s my last dying breath?getting my Lettie fix?before I put her back on her feet. “Damn, I missed you.”

She chuckles, giving me one last squeeze. “You just saw me at lunch.”

“That was forever ago.” I grin, brushing her hair from her eyes. “You ready for this?”

The soft clink of silverware on china blends with the low hum of conversation around us. Our candlelit table sits in the corner of the restaurant. It’s the type of place with twenty pieces of flatware that you have no idea what to do with, and serves fivecourses before your meal; the kind of place where kids stay home and adults come to celebrate.

Beside me, Charlotte’s dark eyes sparkle like onyx under the gentle glow of the overhead chandelier as they lock on mine, then quickly flicker away again. When we accepted the dinner invitation from our parents, we both agreed we’d put off telling them about our relationship for the time being. Mostly because it will complicate things, particularly where her mother is concerned, and the last thing I want are complications when things are going so well.

The way I see it, Lettie and I are in uncharted waters. The only people who know about us are our friends, and even they’ve given us hell for it. Still, knowing our silence is for the best doesn’t make it any easier not to reach out and touch her. My fingers twitch to sweep her hair from her face. My arms ache to pull her into my side. My lips yearn to brush a soft kiss over her temple, the back of her hand, the top of her head?anywhere and everywhere. Charlotte’s lips curve as she takes a sip of her water, as if she can read my thoughts. What can I say? I’m a man addicted to a hot little brunette with a whip-smart mouth.

I grunt and focus back on my plate, taking a bite of steak when her foot finds mine beneath the table while her hands drifts up my thigh. I swallow, arching a brow at her with a look that tells her she’s playing with fire. If she even had half an idea of how much I want her, she wouldn’t play with me like this.

Clearing my throat, I shift in my seat, trying to ease the tent in my pants when I glance over to find Charlotte’s father watching me, and my dick shrivels to dust. His hazel eyes tighten on my face as my mother starts in on the topic of seating arrangements, wanting our opinion. “Of course, normally you and Lettie would both be seated on either side of us, but since you’re the only ones in the wedding party, I convinced Garry to seat us with the boys and the two of you at a table together. Does that suit you?”

“Sure, whatever you want,” I say, not really listening.

“As for the bridal party dance, are you and Lettie fine with dancing together?” she asks. “If you’d prefer not to?”

“Nope. That’s fine,” I interrupt, sounding a little too eager.

Beneath the table, Lettie releases my leg to squeeze my hand, a reminder I need to relax, so I wince, then try again, “I mean, if you want to do a bridal party dance, we’ll do one. Whatever you want.”

“Well, someone’s in an amenable mood.” Mom chuckles. “Do you hear that, Garry? Whatever we want, we get.”

Garry hums under his breath, staring at me like he has x-ray vision and can see inside my thoughts.

Charlotte drops her foot from my leg and clears her throat. “Have you decided on a venue yet?” she asks, and I have to give her props. With everything going on, she couldn’t give a shit less about the wedding, but she’s making an effort all the same.

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