The Man I Thought I Trusted - E. L. Todd Page 0,24
Charlie asked from the couch, his back to me.
I threw my head back and laughed loudly, like a villain that had the perfect plan to steal the vault of diamonds. “Oh, you’re so funny.”
Charlie got off the couch and turned to look at me. “I’m sure this is going to be fancy as fuck, a bunch of pretentious rich people talking about yachts. It might be intimidating.”
“Intimidating?” I rolled my eyes. “A few trust-fund babies don’t intimidate me. If the mob makes me laugh, what will these guys do?” I opened my clutch and made sure all my valuables were there, including my phone since I had no pockets or anything in which to put my stuff.
Charlie joined me at the dining table and looked at me as he crossed his arms over his chest. “You look nice.”
“Thank you. I want to look classy and like I belong there, but I also want Dax to pull me into a dark alleyway and fuck me like a whore. Just trying to set the perfect tone for that.”
He chuckled. “So, you want to look like a classy whore?”
I rubbed my lips together as I considered it. “Yeah, pretty much. So, what are your plans for the night?”
He shook his head.
“Nothing?”
“I might order a pizza.”
“Interesting…”
“Interesting, how? I recognize that tone.”
“I just thought you would have gone for Denise by now. I’m going to be out of the apartment until tomorrow but probably Monday. Might be a good time to invite her over…”
Instead of jumping at the opportunity, he looked forlorn. “Doesn’t feel like the right time.”
“Because of Kat?”
He nodded. “I was hoping she would understand and give her blessing, and that would be it.”
I released a burst of laughter. “Wow…that didn’t happen at all.”
“Yeah. I know.”
“Well, I think we both put everything on the line so you could have what you wanted, so the whole thing would be pointless if you didn’t, you know? The damage is done. Whatever happens…happens.”
He shrugged. “Yeah. I guess.”
Dax was supposed to pick me up any minute, so I continued to wait for his knock at the door. I’d curled my hair even though I usually left it straight, and I’d even put on fake lashes for this event. I never wore my makeup this heavy or donned my finest jewelry to impress anyone. I looked totally different from how I did any other day.
“Dax told me you guys did that I love you thing.” There was a slight tone of accusation to his voice.
“Yeah, we did.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t tell me.”
My only response was a shrug. I looked down at my black clutch in my hand as I remembered that evening.
“I’m happy for you.”
“I know you are, Charlie.” I lifted my gaze and looked at him again. “I’ve never been this happy in my life. I want to say I regret the way I acted before, regret the way he lied to me, but I can’t. Because all those experiences brought us together and gave us this foundation.”
“I wouldn’t regret it either. You guys are perfect together. Two pieces of a puzzle.”
“I think so too.”
“Do you think you’ll move in with him?”
“I don’t know about that…it’s not like we talked about it. Why do you ask?”
“Well, you always run to me to tell me everything. The fact that you kept this to yourself makes me realize he’s becoming your home base. I’m being replaced. It’s not a bad thing…but it’s happening.”
Now, I went to Dax with my problems. Now, I kept our quiet moments private because it belonged to us and not my friends. Our lustful relationship turned into something deep and meaningful. “You can never be replaced, Charlie. And yes, I know what you mean. If we moved in together, that would mean leaving this place and going to a penthouse—and that would be weird.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I can’t picture you in that environment at all. Tell him to get an apartment with you.”
“He would never do that. How can you go from the top to the bottom?”
“I have no doubt he would give up anything for you.”
A soft smile moved onto my lips. “Yeah, you’re right. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. I have to go meet his rich friends first. Hope I don’t stick my foot in my mouth…”
“Oh, I’m sure you will.” He gave me an affectionate look.
Dax knocked on the front door.
“Looks like your knight in shining armor is here.” Charlie stared at the door.