Chapter 2

My friends threw me a welcome-home party.

No one expected Alexander to show up with Olivia.

She was the perfect guest, arriving with beautifully wrapped gifts for everyone.

Mine looked the most carefully wrapped.

"I hear Alex treats you like family, Charlie. When we get married, you have to be my bridesmaid," she said sweetly.

Several friends exchanged looks with Alexander. "Mr. Sinclair, you're not gonna say something?"

He just chuckled. "What, you want me sleeping on the couch tonight?"

Olivia giggled, covering her mouth in staged shyness.

She then suggested a game of Truth or Dare.

The bottle spun and landed right on me.

Everyone leaned forward with questions, but Olivia held up a hand.

"Back up. My boyfriend gets first dibs."

Alexander took a slow sip of his drink, staring at me. "So, you got a boyfriend overseas. Was that real?"

I nodded. "Yep."

A collective gasp went through the room.

Ryan Carter, Alexander's best friend, crowed. "Come on, Charlie's just kidding. That's a lie, so you have to drink. Here, I'll take it for you."

The next round, Alexander spun the bottle. It wobbled, then, as if guided by an unseen hand, pointed right back at me.

He asked, "So, what's his name?"

"That's private."

Olivia burst out laughing. "Thank God you're not an actress. Your poker face is terrible. The guys might miss it, but we girls smell a lie a mile away."

None of Alexander's past flings would've dared take a tone like that.

But Olivia wasn't a fling.

She was the first girlfriend he had ever acknowledged.

His silence was his consent.

I gathered my hair over my shoulder and smiled, "Maybe. Actresses live for the drama. But I could never pull off all that fake sweetness like you, Ms. Bennett."

Olivia's smile froze on her face.

It seemed Alex had neglected to mention that while I prided myself on being nice, I still got a mouth on me.

But she was a performer. She recovered in a heartbeat, smiling as she refilled my glass.

"A dare's a dare. If you can't answer, you drink. Bottoms up."

"Fine."

I took the glass and downed it in one go.

The bottle in Alexander's hand seemed possessed. He spun it again, and for the third time, it chose me.

He didn't even hesitate. "Why did you come back?"

I wasn't going to answer that. I reached for my drink again.

Alexander saw my intention and slammed his hand down on the bottle, stopping its spin. "Why are you back, Charlotte?"

His knuckles went white.

I sighed helplessly, "To get married."

I figured I might as well say it. Anyway, I would have to invite them all to the wedding eventually.

Someone snorted, and then the whole room cracked up.

"Wow, Charlie, you've been gone for years, and your bluffs are still this bad?" one friend teased.

"Yeah, we all know what you're really here for," another cut in.

"You're getting worse at lying, you know that?"

I turned my gaze to Olivia. "So, I'm sorry, but I can't be your bridesmaid. My wedding is at the beginning of next month."

Her eyes glittered with curiosity. "Is it the guy from overseas? Why be so secretive, Charlie? It's not like we're going to judge him."

I had no desire to explain myself to her. "He's an incredible man. And his identity is private."

Suddenly, Alexander was on his feet, pulling Olivia up with him.

"Olivia, your acting is worlds better than hers, but I'm done with this show. We're leaving."

Ryan grabbed his arm, whispering urgently, "Don't, Alex. If you walk away now, you'll regret it."

Alexander ripped his arm away. "Regret?" he scoffed. "When have I ever waited for her?

"I've had my fun with plenty of women these last few years. And trust me, not one of them was worse than Charlotte."

The words Ryan was about to say died in his throat.

I met Alexander's gaze.

His eyes were trembling, a flicker of something wounded betraying his cruel words.

I stood frozen, the blood turning to ice in my veins.

"Don't you feel disgusting, Alexander?" I whispered.

He licked his lips with a mocking smirk. "None of your business."