Mia was Therming.
“<b>This </b>whole mess wouldn’t have happened it you hadn’t Invited Sean! I brought everyone here tonight to cheer Lottie up–and before we could even start, she got hit with a second round of heartbreak Get out. Seriously, get out!”
she shovedn toward the door.
Lena turned to <b>her </b>brother.
“Jordan, why don’t you andn head out? Mis and I will stay with Lettie. It’s better if it’s just us girls”
Jondan didn’t argue. He nodded and pulled <bn </b>out of the room.
Outside the sulte, Sean <b>and </b>Lucinda had just closed the <b>door </b>behind them when sean yanked his arm out of her grip.
Lucinda merely shrugged, clearly unfazed.
As they waited for the elevator, she asked in a breezy tone, so, what now? judging by the look on her face, I’d say you really shattered her tonight. What’s your n from here?
sean didn’t answer
His lips were drawn in a tight line. His hands clenched at his sides, ackles pale. His mind kept clcling back to Charlotte’s pale face and those heartbroken eyes
The words he had said had hurt her deeply but they hadn’t hurt him any less.
As long as she never asked to break up, he had vowed he would <b>never </b>leave her.
Back when he made that promise<b>, </b>he never imagined the day woulde when he would thenw it back at her with a sneer-“You really believed a line like <b>that</b><b>?</b>”
Back in the suite, the air finally quieted after the men left,
Mia headed straight for the <b>bar</b>, grabbing two bottles of expensive red wine.
“Lottie<b>, </b>forget that asshole. He’s not worth your tears Tonight, we drink until we forget his name. You’re gorgeous, smart, and rich. You think you won’t find someone better?”
As she popped open <b>a </b>bottle, she added with a wink, “Honestly, men are the most receable resource on this. Tomorrow, I’ll book you a lineup of male <b>models</b>–ten of them!”
Charlotte sat on the sofa, her eyes still dazed with hurt. She <b>didn’t </b>respond.
The wine went down <b>fast</b>. After just a few <b>sses</b>, Charlotte felt lightheaded. It was her first time drinking.
Mia, ss in one hand, phone in the other, opened her social feed.
“Okay, babe. I’ve got a whole list of hot guys in my contacts. Look at this one–six–foot–two, eight–pack <b>abs</b><b>, </b>still in college.”
Sheld the phone out to Charlotte.
“Not <b>bad</b>, right?”
She almost added, “Sure, he’s not as good–looking as Sean, but he’s definitely top–tier at his school. Plus, he’s young and full of energy–not like that old man
<b>Scan </b>
”
But she bit her tongue. No one was allowed to say his naine tonight.
ca faint, <b>tipsy </b>smile,
Charlotte nced at the photo, her lips curling <b>into </b><b>a </b>f
“He’s cute.”
“Right?” Mia’s eyes lit up. “Hold on, I’ve got <b>more</b>. Look at this one–he’s six–foot–three, a track–and–field major, great body. Okay, his skin’s <b>a </b>bit darker, <b>but </b>hepratly? That bronzetan makes him look even butter. Want me to set it up?”
Charlotte was already <b>a </b>little drunk she plepled and nodded.
The three girls kept drinking, chatting, andughing <b>as </b>time flew by.
At midnight, the countdown began
“Neen, eighteen seven, <b>siz</b><b>..</b>”
sses <b>raised</b><b>, </b>they chanted together, “Three, two, one–Happy New Year!”
Fireworks exploded across the night sky, bright and beautiful against the city skyline
Below, the streets teemed with crowds, cheers, and celebration.
Charlotte sat barefoot on the soft cashmere nag by the floor–to–celling window, <b>legs </b>curled under her, eyes hazy as she watched the fireworks.
A new year had begun.
“Sean.. I guess it’s time for me to say goodbye.
“Happy New Year. I hope you’re happy.
“Goodbye, Sean,” she silently remarked