Page 16 of One More Chance
“Work is real life,” Charlotte scoffed.
“Don’t get huffy with me. You asked. You’re a great person who has spent her entire life working. Maybe you should thank Logan Brush for lighting the fire that drove you out of this piece of shit town. Because let’s be honest, he’s the main reason you left.”
Charlotte hated to admit it, but every word that Lauren said was true.
“Oh, I forgot to mention. We need to hire a sitter, we have plans Friday night,” Charlotte said.
“Friday?” Lauren scrunched up her forehead. “What’s going on?”
“Megan and Josh’s Stag and Doe at the Last Chance.”
Lauren groaned. “Nope.”
“Yep,” Charlotte replied and smacked her sister on the foot. “I’d rather squeeze lemons into my eyes than set foot in that bar, I’m going to need some backup.”
Lauren looked into her wine glass. Charlotte allowed the silence to linger heavily in the air, a negotiation tactic. Lauren swigged back the last of her wine and then let out a huge exhale. “Fine. Let’s go face all the people that made our high school years the worst years of my life.”
Charlotte raised her glass to toast Lauren’s, noticed that it was empty and filled it up.
“To the triumphant return of the Bunkman sisters.” She raised her glass.
Lauren shook her head, pursed her hips, and met Charlotte’s glass with hers, the expensive crystal ringing out as they said ‘cheers’.
The two of them sat up talking until the logs in the fire were coals and the bottle of wine was drained. Charlotte was dreading Friday night, but knew that with Lauren by her side, they could face the town, and, Logan Brush.
Charlotte shuffled to shut off the porch light and nearly jumped out of her skin.
There was a knock at the door.
Chapter 9
LOGAN SHOVED HIS FEETinto the big snow boots and trudged into the knee-deep snow on the back deck to light the barbecue. He shivered, his tenure as a pro hockey player had been in Florida, and he swore that his blood had gone thin living so far south. He looked up to the horizon, the jagged darkness of the mountains gave way to a clear sky full of stars.
Freddie poked his head out the door, “Ready for the burgers?”
“Let’s give this thing a minute to heat up.” Logan stepped back inside the house.
