Page 23 of One More Chance
“They might be a while if you know what I mean...” Freddie winked and elbowed Lauren. “C’mon, there aren’t any free tables down here and we have empty seats at ours.”
“We’d love to join you,” Lauren said and grasped Charlotte by her forearm.
“Follow me,” Freddie grinned as he turned and made his way through the crowded bar.
“What are you doing?” Charlotte hissed at Lauren.
“Char, my feet are killing me, and you just need to rip this bandage off.”
Sighing, Charlotte whispered, “Here goes nothing,” to herself and trailed behind Lauren.
Freddie turned to ensure that Charlotte and Lauren were following him and grinned. He pulled two chairs out from the table. “Ladies,” he said and bowed like a medieval servant, complete with hand flourish. As Charlotte sat down, Freddie leaned in so close that she could feel his breath on her ear.
“Don’t worry, he’s not here yet.”
Charlotte turned and smiled at Freddie. Other than Megan and Josh, he was the only person in town who knew her identity. He was also the only person who knew the whole story about what happened between her and Logan.
Freddie pulled out a chair beside Charlotte. “Martini huh. Fancy. Want some beer?” He held up the pitcher and an empty glass.
Charlotte drained the last of her martini and popped the olive in her mouth. “I’m not much of a draft beer girl.”
“I am,” Lauren replied and reached for the glass.
Charlotte raised an eyebrow at her sister. Lauren wasn’t an anything kind of girl, let alone a beer drinker. Lauren shrugged and held the glass while Freddie poured the beer.
“They have some snooty beer here too you know,” he smiled. “Charlie brewed a spring verbena that’s actually pretty good. Would you like to try it?”
Charlotte remembered Megan gushing about some local craft beer at The Last Chance. “Sure. Why not?” Charlotte smiled at Freddie. He practically leapt out of his seat to get a pitcher for her.
Lauren kicked Charlotte’s foot under the table. “Stop it. You sound like a snob.”
“Sorry,” Charlotte hissed. “I’m just nervous,” she said as she eyed the men already seated at the table.
Lauren stood up and extended her hand, “I’m Lauren,” she said to the three guys.
“Bradley.” The closest man replied with a big smile. He stood, took off his hat and extended his hand. The two other men also stood, awaiting their turn to shake the girls’ hands, “And this is Ethan and Tyler.”
Lauren took her time to shake all of their hands. “This is Charlotte.”
“Hi, Charlotte,” the three of them said in unison and smiled. Charlotte reached out and shook their hands just as Freddie returned to the table. He set a jug of dark beer in front of Charlotte.
Freddie poured another round of drinks and they raised their mugs in cheers, they clinked their mugs together and drank. The beer was hoppy but delicious.
“Are you two feeling lucky tonight?” Freddie asked.
“Easy now, Mr. Brush.” Charlotte was surprised by Freddie, she remembered him as a quiet kid.
“I meant, lucky, as in gambling.” He pointed to the makeshift casino tables set up beside the bar.
“Is that legal?” Charlotte asked.
“It is if it’s a fundraiser!” Freddie smiled and raised his glass. “To Megan and Josh.”
As if on cue, Megan and Josh burst into the bar and everyone turned and cheered. Freddie jumped up to the stage and grabbed the microphone. Ethan leaned over to Lauren. “Freddie is the MC for the wedding.”
“Can everyone give a warm welcome to the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Big Johnson.”
The bar exploded in laughter and cheers. Charlotte wasn’t used to crass humor, but seeing Megan’s smile and radiant face, she decided to relax and go with the evening as best she could. Could Lauren be right? Was she a snob now?
