“No,” she said softly. “And I’ve sensed the truth for a while. Even when he was here, he was distant. If we discussed anything, it was about changing me.” Beth’s eyes filled again. “How could I have been so stupid? So desperate?”
Charlotte grasped her friend’s hand. “You’re not stupid or desperate. Sometimes we see what we want to see because we want something so much. You wanted a man to love you.” She glanced down at the cola can in her hands. “We all want that.”
“Even you?”
Charlotte let out a laugh. “Mostly me. I’m just more aware of the pitfalls than most because I’ve seen what my mother went through trying to keep a man who didn’t want to be tied down.” She twirled the can between her palms. “Why would you think I don’t want more out of life? Like someone to love me?” Feeling the heat of Beth’s stare, Charlotte lifted her gaze.
“Because you’re so independent. You left, went after your dreams, came back, and fulfilled them. I stayed here in a dead-end job until you pulled me into fashion, something I’ve always loved. But it took your guts to get me to make a move in the right direction.”
“You had your reasons for staying, and they were right for you.” Charlotte glanced around her and took in the store, decorated in frilly white eyelet and lace. “I couldn’t have done all this alone. You’re partly responsible for our success. Look at this place and be proud. I am.” She settled her stare back on Beth, waiting until her friend acknowledged the truth with a small nod. “I’m not sure where the insecurity comes from, but now that you’re aware of it, you can work on strengthening your self-confidence.”
“The insecurity was always there. I doubt you know what that’s like—”
Charlotte shook her head. How could Beth view Charlotte’s less-than-perfect life through such blinders? “You are so wrong. Of course I understand insecurity. I just believe in working on it from the inside out, not the outside in. That explains the philosophy behind this shop!”
“I suppose I should take lessons.” Beth forced a smile. “Is Roman a part of that working on it you spoke of? You won’t let yourself get involved. Is it because you know what’s best for you?”
Charlotte sighed. Now how to explain to Beth her change regarding Roman? “Roman’s different. Our relationship is different.”
“Aha! So there is a relationship.”
“Short-term,” Charlotte qualified. “We both know the rules going in.”
“I always knew there was something between you two. Do you realize he only dated me after you two had gone out that one night and things didn’t work out?”
Charlotte shook her head. Now wasn’t the time to add to her friend’s insecurities. Besides, she’d never thought Roman turned to Beth on the rebound. Charlotte hadn’t let herself believe she’d meant that much to him. But thinking of it now, her stomach began to flutter at the possibility.
But Beth’s ego needed boosting right now, not Charlotte’s. “Give me a break. You were the perky head cheerleader. He couldn’t resist you,” she said, revealing what she’d believed in her heart at the time.
Beth rolled her eyes, amusement and humor back at last. “We had fun, but that’s all it was. Nothing serious or irresistible about it. I was getting over Johnny Davis, and Roman was getting over you.”
“Beth …”
“Charlotte …” her friend parroted, hands on her hips. “Now it’s my turn to explain some facts of life to you. There are different kind of guys and relationships. There’s the forever guy, and then there’s the rebound guy. Also known as the interim guy. The one you have fun with and move on. That was Roman for me, and me for him.” She paused in thought. “I think it’s time you figure out what Roman is for you.”
“How did you manage to turn this conversation back to me?” Charlotte asked.
“Because we’re friends, like you said. You need me as much as I need you.”
“Well, I promise to explain Roman to you one day.” When she could explain him to herself.
Beth glanced down at her watch. “I’ve got to go. Rick will be here any minute.”
“That playboy is the last man you should be getting involved with! Especially while you’re still engaged.”
Beth laughed. “Rick and I are friends. F-R-I-E-N-D-S.”
Charlotte exhaled a sharp breath of relief.
“Rick listens and he makes me laugh. I need both right now. Talking to a guy is actually giving me the confidence to face David—and my fears.” Her smile faded. “Then I need to face life on my own—and figure out who I am and what I need.”
“What if we’ve miscalculated David?” Charlotte felt compelled to ask. “What if he loves you and—”
Beth shook her head. “I’ll never know if he fell for me or the woman he thinks he made me into—did I tell you he wants to fix my nose?”
Charlotte shot out of her seat. “Don’t you dare—”
“I’m too smart for that—thanks to you and Rick.” She hugged Charlotte tight. “You’re a good friend.”
“Ditto.” She squeezed Beth back.
A knock sounded at the door and Charlotte ran to get it.
Samson stood outside, his graying hair damp and a stack of letters in his hands. “Don’t you get your mail?” he muttered. “Leave things outside and they’ll blow away or get wet in the rain. Here.” He shoved his hand out and waved a stack of letters in her face.
“Thanks, Sam.” She took the letters out of his hand and dug into her pocket for the money she remembered shoving in there this morning. “You know I never would have remembered to get those on my own.” She held out her hand, crumpled bills in her fist. “Can you drop a bottle of soda off here if you get a chance, and keep the change, okay?”
He grumbled but
