Page 41 of My Favorite Lost Cause
Charlie runs a hand through his hair. “I made your dickhead husband call his sister and tell her to put them in a car and send them back.”
I shake my head. “How, though?”
That’s when I notice his knuckles. The skin is cracked. “Oh my God, you didn’t punch him, did you?”
“Definepunch.”
“Charlie, you know whatpunchmeans.”
He grins. “Okay, then yes, I did. But the bloodshed was just for my own entertainment. He’s still alive, in case you’re worried. Henry only let me get in two good hits.”
I laugh and dry my eyes on the corner of my T-shirt. “Henry?”
He shrugs. “I had him call Harvey and explain that he’d employ every available resource and every dollar he possesses to ruin him if we didn’t have them back by morning. I’d have done it on my own, but that sort of thing is a little more threatening when it comes from a billionaire. He met me at your condo early this morning just to make sure Harvey knew how serious he was.”
And now I’m crying again. It’s the kind of thing I’d expect Henry to do for Kit—not me. “I can’t believe he was willing to do that. I can’t believeyouwere willing to do that. You don’t even like dogs.”
“People love you a lot more than you realize, Mare. And the fact that you love those dogs is the only thing that should’ve mattered to your husband.”
“Ex-husband.” I’ve said it before, yes, but this time, I knowI’m not going back. Because the man who’s supposed to care about me above all else can’t hold a candle to the one in front of me, who does his best to pretend he doesn’t care at all. “I have no idea what to do with my life from here forward, but it won’t be with Harvey.”
His gaze holds mine a moment too long, his lips opening as if to speak. For a half second, I think of my wedding day, of Charlie sayingwe can go anywhere you want. If I’d done it, where would we be right now? I’d have avoided all these years with Harvey, but it’s not as if Charlie and I would have stayed together, if we’d gotten together at all. He’d probably have broken my heart, and our entire friendship would be ruined.
Whatever I saw in his face disappears entirely and his mouth curves. “So I guess that means you’ve got nowhere to be?”
I blink up at him. “Huh?”
He lifts a shoulder. “I’m just saying…that wallpaper’s not removing itself and I’m staying til mid-July. So maybe you could stick around until you’ve got a reason to go home.”
This euphoria I’m feeling could just be the house again, or these squirming puppies in my arms.
But I’m pretty sure it’s Charlie. I’m pretty sure I’m simply thrilled that he wants me to stay.
My relationshipwith Henry has long been...awkward. I’m grateful for the role he’s played in my life, but there’s no way to hide the fact that his relationship with Kit is very different. She wouldn’t blink an eye at calling to yell at him because she knows her position is secure. I’ve never quite felt that way. But by that same token, I’m immensely grateful for the things he does on my behalf, things Kit would barely even notice.
Thank you so much for helping Charlie get the dogs back. I will never forget it.
Henry
I’m your father. You don’t have to thank me for that. You should have told me the second it happened.
Well, anyway, I’m very appreciative. And you won’t have to deal with Harvey again. I told him I want a divorce.
Of course you do. My attorney is already drawing up your separation agreement.
I smile. I guess the benefit of being raised by people who can’t stay married for long is that they know exactly how to get you out of your marriage when the time comes.
Unfortunately, now that Henry knows we’re in South Carolina, his best bud Roger will too...and therefore my mother. Charlie calls his dad to get ahead of it, but I put off calling my mom until later in the day, because it’s not going to go well. She won’t be upset that I’m leaving Harvey—she adores breakup drama, which is probably the reason she threatens to leave Roger as often as she does—but she’s going to have an issue with the fact that I’m in South Carolina with her stepson.
I wait for a bit after Charlie phones his dad, then I call her from the back deck, while Echo and Narcy tear around the yard, and deliver the news about the divorce first.
“I’m going to set you up,” she says. “Roger has a friend who’s going through a divorce and his youngest is leaving for college, so he’ll be looking for someone to fill the void. I’ll have you over for dinner. Although, speaking of dinner, you know if you want to model again, you’re going to have to drop about ten pounds. But anyway, let’s shoot for Thursday. Roger!” she shouts, fully prepared to set me up with this guy whose kids are grown adults.
“Mom, stop. I’m not in New York. I’m in South Carolina. Helping Charlie.”
“HelpingCharlie?” she repeats, as if Charlie is some random guy out on parole, one we can’t trust. “Withwhat?”
Charlie’s inside, but I look around anyhow before I proceed. “With the house, Mom. I’ve been removing wallpaper, and I think I’m going to start redoing bathroom tiles soon.”
