Charlie looked amazing. Her hair looked like it had been cut, and it looked really good. She’d chosen a pair of straight black slacks with a white button-down that she’d tucked into them, revealing that she had a flat stomach beneath just by the way it tucked straight down. Hailey found herself staring for a moment before she turned her attention to the other woman.
“Hailey, this is Summer. Summer owns the company I’ve been working with in Detroit.”
Summer glanced at Charlie with some kind of recognition and then turned back to Hailey. She reached out her hand for Hailey to shake.
“It’s nice to meet you, Hailey.”
“You too.” Hailey shook it and then looked at Emma for help.
“Hails was kind enough to be my guest tonight, since I would have had to come solo otherwise,” Emma explained.
“I see,” Charlie said. “We should probably go mingle a little.”
“Yeah, you do that,” Hailey stated in an aggravated tone she wished she’d hidden better. “See you around, Charlie.”
Hailey walked away, pulling Emma along with her.
“Hailey, come on. This is stupid.”
“You didn’t tell me she’d be here.” Hailey waited until they were just outside the room before she practically yelled it.
“I didn’t know for sure that she would.”
“But you thought there was a chance?”
“Her company is the host, Hails.”
“And you didn’t think that was worth mentioning to me?” Hailey challenged.
“I thought that if she was here, you two could talk.”
“Well, we can’t exactly talk now, since she brought a date. Did you see that girl? How old is she anyway? She looks like she could still be in high school,” Hailey said as she continued to walk toward the lobby.
“That’s Summer Taft. She’s one of the biggest up and comers in the tech industry. She’s like the next Mark Zuckerberg or something, along with her brother. They created this app that-”
“I don’t care what their app does, Em. She’s dating Charlie.”
“I don’t think Charlie said that.”
“She brought her to a party. What else would-”
“Hailey, I brought you here, and we’re not dating.”
Hailey stopped walking, allowing Emma to catch up to her. She let out a deep sigh.
“I’m jealous,” she said after a moment.
“Yeah, that’s obvious to everyone. Hails, go back in there and talk to her like an adult. Tell her how you feel.”
“She came back to town and didn’t tell me, Emma. It’s not just about the arm candy.”
“Hails, come-”
“I’m sorry. I’m going to go. Will you be okay on your own in there?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine, but I drove you.”
“I’ll catch a cab or take the train. I’ll be fine.”
◆◆◆
Charlie sat at the table with Summer while others milled about the room. She was sure she’d said hello to some of them, but she couldn’t focus on anything other than the thought of Hailey with Emma. Hailey was at the party with Emma. Emma had to know that Charlie would be there. Her company was hosting the damn party. She had to know, and she still brought her to rub it in.
“Hey, are you okay?” Summer asked after a moment and placed a hand on top of Charlie’s.
“I’m pissed off, actually,” she answered her honestly.
“Yeah, I guessed that,” Summer said. “Do you want to go?”
“Hey, Charlie.” Emma approached cautiously. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
“No,” Charlie stated and turned away from her.
“Charlie, please. It’s not what you think.”
“You didn’t bring Hailey to a party you knew I’d be at?” Charlie turned back to her.
“I brought her because I knew you’d be here.” Emma sat down in front of her. “She and I are not together. I’m dating someone else,” Emma said. “I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but Hailey is single. I brought her because I thought it would force you two to talk. It was wrong, and I’m sorry. I’ll apologize to her later, if she ever talks to me again.”
“We’re not together. We’re just friends” Summer attempted to lighten the mood with, “I tried, but she’s unavailable.”
“She’s been trying to figure stuff out, Charlie. I thought she could come here, see you, and maybe you guys would talk. But I didn’t expect you to bring a date.” Emma stood back up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make things worse.” She waved at Summer and then turned and walked away.
“How are you doing over there?” Summer asked.
“Honestly, I have no idea,” Charlie replied.
CHAPTER 21
“We didn’t want to do it right before the wedding,” Eva told her younger sister, Anna, as they all sat around the living room.
“You should have done the bridal shower, like I suggested. You get much better gifts than at a bachelorette party,” Anna suggested.
“My baby sister is giving me wedding advice and planning the whole thing. Who would have expected that?” Eva kissed Anna’s forehead. “I’m glad you made the trip. Thank you.”
“Of course. Who else will make sure this thing goes off without a hitch?”
“I think the whole point is that we do actually get hitched,” Ember suggested as she walked up behind her fiancée, wrapping her arms around her waist. “Right?”
“Yes, babe,” Eva answered with a smile.
Hailey was standing in the small backyard, listening through the open sliding glass door. Thankfully, spring was finally in Chicago, and all remnants of the snow had gone with the winter. Most of the guests were inside, but Hailey felt like she’d only bring the party down if she was around people. She would have skipped it entirely, but Ember and Eva deserved better than that from her. This was their joint bachelorette party, and she’d helped Anna throw it together at the last minute because Ember’s aunt had taken a turn for the worse. The doctors weren’t sure she’d make it to June and be able to travel at that. So, Ember and Eva’s wedding would be moved up to the following weekend. New invitations and apologies had been sent out to the guests. The backyard had been decorated with white and dark blue lights and other decorations. There were four rented round tables in the yard with white table clothes and blue accents. There were already about fifteen women in the living room, including Alyssa and Hannah, who trickled outside to chat with Hailey.
“Hey there,” Alyssa greeted and hugged her.
“Hi, haven’t seen you two in a while.” Hailey hugged Hannah next.
“We’ve been crazy busy lately,” Hannah said.
“Hey, my friends.” Eva made her way toward them and gave them a giant group hug.
“She’s had a couple of glasses of champagne already,” Ember said as she took Eva’s hand following the hug. “She’s starting to feel it.”
“It’s my bachelorette party,” Eva excused.
“Please tell me you and Anna did not hire a stripper,” Ember said.
“What? No way,” Hailey told her with a laugh.
“Thank God,” Ember replied.
“We don’t need one anyway. She can just dance for me later.” Eva took another sip of her champagne, apparently not realizing that what she’d said would cause them all to burst into hysterical laughter.
“You need a drink, Al,” Ember told her, noticing that Alyssa wasn’t holding a drink.
“No, I’m okay,” Alyssa replied. “I’ll grab water in a minute.”
“It’s a party, Alyssa,” Hailey added.
Hannah and Alyssa looked at one another in that way that only married couples seem to look at one another.
“There’s something we need to tell you guys. We were going to wait, because this is your night, but since you’ll probably figure it out anyway, we’ll just tell you,” Hannah said.
“Oh, my God!” Eva pointed at Alyssa and exclaimed, “You�
�re pregnant!”
Alyssa nodded and smiled. Hannah wrapped her arm around her waist.
“You are? Congratulations,” Ember said.
“That’s amazing, guys,” Hailey added.
“How far along are you?” Eva asked after hugging both of them.
“Twelve weeks. We haven’t even told my mom yet, but the not drinking wine tonight thing probably would have given it away,” Alyssa answered.
“What did I miss?” Charlie stood in the open door but was ushered aside so two women Hailey didn’t recognize would move through it and past her.
“They’re pregnant.” Eva pointed at her friends.
“What?” Charlie walked quickly toward them. “That’s awesome.” She hugged Alyssa first and then Hannah.
When she pulled herself back, Hailey felt Charlie’s arm against her own and realized how close they were standing to one another. The hair on her arm stood up and she recognized the goosebumps and the nerves that went with them.
“And where have you been?” Ember reached over and pulled Charlie into a hug. “I wasn’t even sure you’d be here tonight.”
“I wouldn’t have missed this.” Charlie returned the hug but her eyes were open and on Hailey. “I had to go to Detroit for work, but I’m back for the next few weeks.”
“Few weeks?” Hailey asked before she had a chance to think.
“It’s an ongoing project. I’ll go back and forth for a while.” Charlie answered her and then hugged Eva next. “I’m sorry I went radio silent. Things were just really busy.”
“Eva, the food’s ready.” Anna emerged from the house and motioned for Eva to help her.
“I’ve got it.” Hailey headed inside.
She needed to be away from Charlie. She needed a minute to put on a brave face, get herself together, and then have fun at her best friend’s party.
◆◆◆
A few hours later, Eva and Ember looked entirely way too happy, which made Hailey happy, because they deserved it. Alyssa was sitting on Hannah’s lap on the sofa. Anna had already gone upstairs to the guest room to call her husband and say goodnight. The majority of the other party goers had already headed out. Hailey caught sight of the elusive Charlie Adams, sliding the door closed behind her after bringing in some of the trash and dishes from outside. Hailey hadn’t spoken to her since she’d arrived, and she wasn’t sure what she’d say if she did. She watched Charlie say goodnight to Ember and Eva, and then Hannah and Alyssa. She glanced in Hailey’s direction and nodded a farewell before she went to the front door, opened it, and left.
“I’m not going to ask,” Ember said to her as Hailey washed the glasses in the kitchen. “Because we’ve already talked about how you two are being idiots, but we’re leaving on Thursday for this wedding. So, please-”
“Em, we’ll be fine,” Hailey told her. “We’re just not really talking at the moment. We’ll pull it together by then.”
“Good. We’re going to borrow my dad’s van so the six of us can fit. Anna’s driving back tomorrow to help set everything up that she can in advance, since this is happening faster than we thought.”
“Okay. So, meet you where? Here? The restaurant?”
“Meet us here.”
“I’ll be here.”
“Good.” Ember glanced at her. “How are you, Hails?”
“Well, I’m not great,” Hailey said. “I haven’t talked to my best friend in over a month. And Emma and I were just starting to figure our friendship out, when she tried to pull an intervention on me, so I’m not exactly talking to her right now either.”
“I’m sorry, Hails.”
“I know.”
“I should get back out there. Eva’s exhausted. Anna is a real piece of work. She had us up so early this morning to finalize things.”
“I know. She called me to make sure I tried on my dress one more time in case, and I’m not paraphrasing here, I put on too much weight to fit in it.”
“I’m going to put my love to bed now. You good to get home?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
Hailey stopped for a moment to think about how inaccurate that statement actually was.
◆◆◆
“Okay, but why aren’t you talking to her if she’s single now?” Lena asked.
“Because I don’t know what to say. It’s never been about whether or not she was single. It’s been about whether or not she believes me when I tell her I just want her and not some fantasy. It’s been about me trying to get past the fact that she had the world’s most perfect girlfriend and that woman re-entered her life recently.”
They were sitting on the couch, drinking the coffee that Lena had brought her. Charlie’s phone buzzed on the table. She lifted it and saw the name.
“Her?” Lena asked hopefully.
“Summer,” Charlie answered. “She’s just texting that she got back to Detroit okay.”
“So, nothing’s going on there? Really?”
“No, she’s nice, though,” Charlie said. “We had an almost-thing happen, but I’m-”
“Into Hailey?”
“That’s always been my problem.”
“How are you going to get through this whole wedding thing? It’s hours in a car with her and then, like, three days of festivities. You’re both in the wedding party.”
“We’ve gotten pretty good at avoiding each other. I guess we’ll just keep that up.”
“That’s a pretty terrible plan.”
“Well, it’s the only one I’ve got.”
◆◆◆
“So, your plan is just to ignore her?” Emma questioned.
“Yes,” Hailey replied. “What else did you expect me to do?”
“I told you she’s not with Summer. She’s single.”
Hailey was driving to Ember’s, preparing to hit the road for likely a very awkward trip. She’d finally returned Emma’s many calls and texts, after getting over herself and her stupid problems to think about what a nice thing Emma had tried to do for her. Given the fact that Emma had wanted to be with Hailey only a short time ago, it was pretty selfless of her to try to get Hailey to repair her relationship with Charlie.
“I know that, Em, but that doesn’t mean I’m just ready to jump back into things with her.”
“Not even your friendship?” Emma asked. “I’m not saying you need to start a new relationship with her, Hails, but you two haven’t talked in a long time. I know how important she is to you.”
“I know,” Hailey said softly. “I’m here. I should go. I’m sorry I didn’t call you back sooner. I’ve been blaming you for something that you had nothing to do with. I know you were just trying to help.”
“Have fun this weekend. Try not to let anything that’s going on between the two of you get in the way of everything else.”
“I won’t let Ember and Eva suffer because-”
“Not them. I mean, yeah, don’t be an asshole, because it’s their wedding. But it’s also your best friend’s wedding, Hails. You should enjoy it. It’s only going to happen once.”
Hailey hung up the phone and pulled up onto Ember’s street to park. An old catering van was parked in the driveway. Ember was currently loading things into the back while Hannah helped.
“Are Alyssa and Eva inside?” she asked when she arrived at the back of the van and placed her roller and garment bag in Ember’s hands to load up for her.
“Yeah, so is Charlie.”
“Oh.” She glanced up and down the street as if Charlie would somehow be there.
“We picked her up,” Hannah said. “We had a doctor’s appointment in the city, so we just grabbed her and brought her over.”
“Everything okay?” Hailey asked.
“Oh, yeah, Al’s great, and so is the little one.” Hannah answered with a smile. “Just a regular appointment.”
“When will you guys learn the sex?” Ember questioned and loaded Hailey’s stuff into the back, hanging the garment bag next to several others.
“We don’t know if we’re going to,” Alyssa offered when she joined the group outside. She carried a bottle of water and passed it to Hannah. “My mom said she had fun not knowing what I was going to be, so we’re kind of thinking we might go that route.”
“She’s thinking that,” Hannah said and opened the water bottle.
Hailey watched as she didn’t take a drink of it. She passed it back to Alyssa, who did, though. It was pretty remarkable, watching stuff like this between couples. They hadn’t even exchanged words about the water bottle. Hannah just knew that it was for Alyssa and that Alyssa needed help opening it.
“You want to know?” Ember asked Hannah.
“I do.” Hannah looked at Alyssa and then placed a hand over her stomach. “I can keep a secret,” she said to Alyssa, who glared at her and delivered a smirk. “What? I can.”
“Not from me, you can’t. You’re terrible at that.”
“That’s true.” Hannah removed her hand and glanced into the van. “So, this thing is for the restaurant?”
“It was, yeah,” Ember began. “We used to use it for catering, but we have the food truck now. My dad had two rows of seats put in this, instead of just buying a new van. I think his plan was to give it to Zack and Grace to use when they have kids, but who would trust this van with their kids?” She pointed to the van that was likely about fifteen years old. It was the color of eggplant and had the restaurant’s name and logo on the side.
“You realize we’re about to get in this thing for like a six-hour road trip, right?” Charlie questioned.
Hailey felt Charlie’s presence before her words even came out. Despite the fact that Hailey hadn’t seen her due to her position behind the opened back door of the van, she felt her there, in that way that she always somehow felt her presence when they were close.
“You want to strap a baby’s car seat into self-installed van seats?” Ember jested.
“We will not be doing that,” Alyssa added with a hand over her stomach.
“Are we ready?” Eva emerged from the house.
She approached the back of the van to see everyone standing around.
Just Tell Her Page 24