<b>In </b>the underground parking garage, an opened the passenger door of the line and slid in, still trailing the winter chill on his coat
“Sean, mission aplished. She took the bags. And the cat
Sean’s fingers rested on the steering wheel. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. “Did she suspect anything?”
Tam answered honestly, “Yeah, she asked if it was from you. I had Mia help cover it. Charlotte trusts her, so I think we’re in the clear,”
Sean let out a quiet<b>, </b>heavy ham.
Neither of them spoke for a moment. Sean stated nkly into the darkness beyond the windshield, and the only sound in the car was the soft whoosh of the beater Tan knew what was happening. <b>Sean </b>was thinking about charlotte <b>again</b>. So he stayed quiet, letting the moment breathe.
After a long pause, Sean murmured, “I really want to see her.”
He dialed Mia.
“Hey, Mia. So, when <b>I </b>dropped the car off, Charlotte didn’t look too good. She waspletely deted–<b>like </b>a wilted flower. I think she’s still hurting pretty bad. She’s off tomorrow<b>, </b>right? Maybe take her out tonight, get her to let some of it <b>out</b>?”
On the other end, Mig sighed dramatically. “Ugh, of course she’s <b>not </b>okay. She was crazy about Sean. Meanwhile, he’s out here partying with some actress like nothing ever happened. Men are cold, heartless creatures.”
Jan nced sideways at Sean
Sean looked like a mess. He looked noticeably thinner than ever. Faint <b>dark </b>circles shadowed his eyes. He clearly hadn’t slept for days.
Most people had no idea how much Sean loved Charlotte. But tan knew, After all these years as his closest <b>friend</b>, this was the first time he’d seen him care about a woman this much.
Sean had always been calm and in control, but after the breakup, it was like he was falling apart.
He was a hopeless romantic stuck with thebel <b>of </b><b>a </b>heartless jerk Even as a bystander,n could barely <b>stand </b>to watch it anymore.
He chatted a bit more with Mia, she was already making ns to take Charlotte out for drinks<b>. </b>
He nudged M gently. If <b>you </b><b>do </b>go out, which bar are you thinking? I’lle pick you upter.<b>” </b>
Mia didn’t suspect anything and arowered easily.
“Perfect, just spend some time with her tonight, okay? And take it easy on the drinks. I don’t want to hear you whining about a migraine tomorrow. “Yeah, yeah, I got it. You’re such a nag.”
Ian hung up and stugged “All set. We leave in twenty. “Noir” bar<b>,</b>‘
Charlotte hadn’t nned on going out that night. She <b>was </b>just going to finish dinner<b>, </b>curl up on the couch, <b>and </b><b>watch </b>a drama before bed.
Biot long after eating. Macalled.
During the day, Charlotte buried
self in work. Keeping herself busy <b>was </b>the only way to stop her mind from wandering. But at night, the loneliness took over The ache in her cast returned with vengeace, like weeds growing wild.
Heartbreak was like catding an incurable and relentless disease. All she could do was up herself with alcohol.
She needed to let it pull,
The white Mtrecut (rough the winter fog like a ghost
Cutside <b>Noir</b>, the valeon was packed with mury cars.
Charlottefosseder keys to the valet and headed toward the entrance in softmbskin heels.
It was just past 11. The niglu was only beginning
<b>Inside</b>, the bar was loud and packed Lights pulsed in sync with the bass. The dance <b>floor </b>was <b>a </b>chaotic blur of <b>bodies </b>grinding and swaying under the neon glow.