Chapter <b>113 </b>
Jordan’s <b>expression </b>cooled slightly<b>. </b><b>“</b>What’s there to see? She’s not from our world. Doesn’t matter.”
Ian shrugged. “Fair enough.”
Sean didn’t add anything, but while ying cards, he kept ncing at his phone every so often–just <b>in case </b>Charlotte messaged.
A few roundster, he still hadn’t heard from her but he did get a message from <b>his </b>friend, Chris Carter.
<b>“</b><b>So</b>… I heard you’re having some issues<b>… </b>in the bedroom?”
Sean’s brows knit together. His <b>lips </b>tightened ever so slightly.
Just as the game wrapped up, Ian stood up to stretch and wandered <b>over</b>. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Sean’s phone and promptly erupted intoughter.
“Haha! <b>No </b>way! Are you serious?<b>” </b>Ian practically cackled,ughing so hard <b>it </b>sounded like a <b>goose </b>honking. “You? Having some issues in the bedroom? Oh man, that’s rich<b>!</b><b>” </b>
Sean’s expression turned icy. He shot Ian <b>a </b>cutting re<b>. </b>
Ian immediately shut up<b>, </b>but couldn’t help snickering as he tried to hold it in<b>. </b>“What’s going on<b>, </b>man?”
Sean stood up. <b>“</b>I’m leaving.”
Ian quickly trailed after him with a grin<b>, </b>shooting Jordan a look that said: <b>“</b>Let’s <b>go</b><b>–</b><b>this </b>is gonna be good.”
At the bar, Charlotte was already two drinks deep and swaying on her feet when she took the mic. She belted out the chorus <b>of </b><b>a </b>pop song–badly <b>off</b>–key.
By the time Sean arrived, she was mid–performance, howling her way through the high <b>notes</b>.
The momentn stepped into the bar, he pped his hands over his ears<b>. </b><b>“</b>Oh my God. Who’s butchering this song?”
Sean’s expression was unreadable<b>, </b>but he <b>recognized </b>the <b>voice </b>immediately<b>. </b>It was Charlotte<b>. </b>
As they got <b>closer</b><b>, </b>there she was–front and center on <b>the </b>bar’s <b>tiny </b><b>stage</b><b>, </b>singing her heart out like it was karaoke night on national TV.
, go </b><b>get </b><b>your </b>girl off that <b>stage</b>. <b>That’s </b><b>not </b><b>music</b><b>, </b>it’s <b>a </b>public <b>safety </b>hazard. Other <b>people </b>sing for tips but she should <b>be </b>fined for <b>this</b><b>.</b>”
Sear<b>: </b>didn’t move. “Let her sing. She’s having <b>fun</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>“</b>Yeah. She can sing however she wants.<b>” </b>
Jan sighed and found a high stool nearby. <b>“</b>Man, <b>you </b><b>spoil </b><b>her</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>Sean </b>sat next to him<b>, </b><b>his </b>eyes‘ locked on the stage<b>, </b>watching her <b>every </b><b>move</b>. A small, indulgent smile <b>yed </b>at the corner <b>of </b><b>his </b>lips.
Jordan raised an eyebrow, <b>amused</b>. <b>“</b><b>Didn’t </b>know your girl had <b>this </b>kind of… talent.”
Ianughed. “<b>You </b>know what<b>? </b>I’ve heard worse. I think I’m getting used <b>to </b><b>it</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
Charlotte waspletely drunk. She barely got the lyrics right and her pitch was <b>all </b>over the ce<b>, </b>but she looked like she was having <b>the </b>time of her life<b>. </b>
Sean waited until she finished the song before walking up to the stage<b>. </b>
He reached out and gently took her by the wrist.
The warmth of his touch made Charlotte nce over<b>, </b>her eyes hazy and unfocused. She giggled<b>, </b><b>“</b>Whoa<b>… </b>you’re really good–looking. I did the math in my head, and yep–<b>you’re </b>definitely my fated husband.”
That one word, “husband“, sent a jolt through <b>Sean’s </b>chest. His heartbeat skipped<b>, </b>and for <b>a </b>split second, everything around him blurred.
He forgot how to breathe.
Charlotte tilted her head back to look at him, still smiling, cheeks flushed, dimples showing. She looked so sweet and adorable he couldn’t take <b>his </b><b>eyes </b>off her.
They <b>stared at </b>each other for a few seconds<b>, </b>frozen in that moment
Then, without warning, Charlotte leaned forward and buried her face <b>in </b>his chest.
She nuzzled her head against him like a sleepy kitten and numbled<b>, </b><b>“</b><b>Even </b>your smell is just like my husband’s…”
Sean always wore a clean, woodsy cologne–something crisp and warm, like cedar <b>in </b>the winter sun. It was subtle<b>, </bforting.
Charlotte took a deep <b>breath</b><b>. </b><b>“</b>Mmm… smells so good. My husband”