“Can we not?” Charlotte said delicately. What would be worse: more discussion of Ben, or for this conversation to veer in the direction of her postbrunch shower?
“Let’s talk about something other than relationships,” Nina decided.
“Let’s talk about dogs,” Charlotte suggested, and Jio nodded enthusiastically.
Jackie groaned. “Veto.”
Charlotte’s phone chimed.
TEXT MESSAGE FROM REECE KRUEGER TO CHARLOTTE THORNE, 10:05 PM: what’s nina’s room no.?
Her heart bleated with joy. Somehow it had only taken two days for her to grow impatient for his company. While she loved hanging out with old friends, the pregame felt like killing time before the evening’s main event.
As much as she loathed to admit it, she was starting to miss him when he wasn’t around.
“Reece is on his way,” Charlotte told the group. “This is room 218, right?”
Amy nodded.
“Can we address how good he looks?” Jio said. They waggled their eyebrows at Charlotte, who pretended not to hear them as she texted him back. “Talk about a glow up, goddamn.”
Jackie laughed. “Some of us may have noticed more than others.”
Charlotte elbowed her in the side.
“He finally figured out what to do with all that hair.” Amy touched the bangs of her own bob, imagining Reece’s dark hair spilling over his forehead. “Does he seem happy to you guys? It’s so hard to tell with him, he’s always smiling.”
“He’s finding his way,” Jackie demurred. Then she lowered her voice. “He finally broke up with that girl Jessica, thank god.”
“Oh, HER.” Jio squished up their face. “Vanilla pudding.”
Charlotte leaned forward. “Did you meet her?” She wasn’t eager to learn about Reece’s ex-girlfriend, but she wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to feel superior.
Jio laughed. “Didn’t need to. I found her Insta.”
The door swung open behind them. Charlotte’s skin rippled with heat as Reece materialized in the hallway. His eyes immediately found her atop the bookshelf, and his mouth went slack before soaring up in a grin.
She savored the sight of him looking her over. The silent moment lasted two seconds, maybe three, but a whole conversation passed between them.
There you are.
Finally.
“Hey there!” Nina called out.
Reece tore his eyes from Charlotte’s to greet his host. He gave her a brotherly squeeze. “Hey, Nina-bean.”
“We weren’t at all talking about your love life,” Jackie said.
Charlotte’s face burned. Reece looked at her over Nina’s shoulder, one eyebrow yanked up toward the ceiling. “Is that so?” he asked.
“I’ll get you a drink,” Jackie said. “Don’t touch the funfetti-tinis.”
Reece moved from Nina’s arms to Amy’s. “Thank you for having me, Amy.” He stood patiently as she fussed with his hair, still intrigued by his new cut.
Charlotte scooted over on the bookshelf to make room for him. When Reece sat down, he left a sliver of space between them for propriety’s sake, but his arm brushed hers as he accepted a Coke Zero from Jackie.
“Hi,” Charlotte said. She tilted her head to the side and gave him a shy smile.
“Hey.” He leaned over just so to bump her shoulder with his. “Nice fit.”
She proudly displayed the ragged hem. “It’s a bespoke Slaughter creation.”
Reece’s laugh practically sparkled. He found a loose thread at the cuff of her shorts and gave it a pull, the denim whispering against her skin. “She’s very talented.”
Charlotte preened. “How was Batty’s pregame?”
“Good. Weird. Everyone was drinking André.” He took a sip of his cold soda and groaned in appreciation.
She smiled, his joy contagious. “You’d think he’d spring for Veuve Clicquot with all that crypto money.”
Reece shrugged. “I guess everyone’s feeling nostalgic this weekend.”
“Warning: Objects in the rearview mirror may taste worse than you remember,” she drawled. He laughed and clinked his can to her glass.
Nina paused the music as everyone turned to face her. “How are we feeling? Ready to head down to the party? Or should we stay here?”
“I’M READY!” Jio cheered. Amy laughed and shouted her agreement.
