bChapter /bb452 /b

Megan was extremely particr when it came to coffee. She cared about everything from the beans she used to the bexact /bbrewing technique. Average coffee simply wasn’t good enough for her.

Just a couple of days ago, she had even brought a new coffee machine and her fa make her own cup whenever she dropped by.

favorite beans to Charlotte’s office so she could

As Charlotte stepped into the room, the rich aroma of fresh coffee lled the air. Megan was already at home behind the machine, expertly brewing herself a cup.

“Want one?” Megan looked over and smiled.

Charlotte shook her head. “I still prefer tea.”

N

“Your loss,” Megan teased as she walked over to the couch, coffee in hand. “Missing out on a cup personally made by me–how tragic.”

Charlotte set down a folder beside her desk and replied dryly, “Truly a shame.”

“So, what brings you here today?” she asked, moving toward the couch and beginning to prepare her tea.

“Can’t just drop by to see you?” Megan said with a grin.

She suddenly thought of what Sean had said downstairs-“I just wanted to see her“—and mimicked his voice with exaggerated sweetness. b“/bI just wanted to see you.”

Charlotte pulled a face. “Gross. What’s gotten into you? That was so cheesy. I’ve got goosebumps.”

“I learned it from Sean,” Megan said, the sarcasm obvious. “That’s exactly what he said just now.”

Charlotte gave her a knowing look. “You’re something else. The guy you like says that to another woman, and you’re still able to joke about it to my face?”

Megan pouted. “Hey, I’ve got to find the humor in my misery somehow. What else can I do–hold a knife to his throat and force him to love me?”

Charlotte didn’t have a response to that.

She quietly continued making tea.

Megan took a sip of her bcoffee/bb, /bthen looked up, her tone more serious. “Are you and Sean back together?”

“Yes,” Charlotte said without hesitation.

b“/bI figured,” Megan sighed. “I always knew you two would end up back together.”

She gave a half–smile, though there was something wistful in her eyes.

“I’ve been back in the country for months, and it’s been nearly impossible to see him. Aside from a few words exchange the pretense of work, I’ve probably said fewer than five sentences to him.

“In our rtionship, I’ve always been the outsider. I was the one chasing him. But with you, it’s different. You’re the one in control. He’s always the oneing to you.”

Charlotte let out a quiet sigh. “Alright, enough. Are you really here just to chatb, /bor is there something else?”

Megan set down her cup and straightened upb. /b“Actually, I wanted to ask if you’re free this Saturday?”

ler

Charlotte picked up her phone and checked her calendar. “Saturday… yeah, I’m free. Why?”

“It’s my birthday. I’m throwing a party on a yacht, and I’d really like you toe.”

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Charlotte paused for a second, then nodded. “Sureb, /bbI’ll /bbe there.”

Megan hesitated.

“What is it?” Charlotte asked, sensing something else wasing

Megan looked conflicted. After a brief silence, she finally said, “Look, we’re friends now, right? So I’ll just be honest. I want bto /binvite Sean too.”

She looked down at her cupb, /bthen back at Charlotte. “It’s just once year. He’s nevere to any of my birthday parties before. bI /bknow it’s selfish, but… could you bring him with you? Just this once? Think of it as a birthday wish.”