Find Her Keep Her

Coming On Strong

Charlotte Bianchi's Pov

MY EYES ACHE. For three days, they've oscillated between weeping and sleeping.

Why? My best friend, Lily, got engaged to my boyfriend while he and I were on a break. To add salt to my wound, I discovered their joyous news through Lily's 's Facebook status update. Reeling from the shock, I typed, "You snake," and abruptly closed my laptop. Retreating to my bed, the tears began to flow.

The journey from that painful moment to my current solace, a secluded table at the Day Harbor Café in Edgartown, Massachusetts, on Emily's Vineyard, is somewhat hazy.

To recount...

Just yesterday morning, after two days of alternating between tears and restless sleep, I gathered myself. I couldn't let heartbreak consume my life. So, I mustered the strength to walk to my home office and checked my email for new writing assignments.

I was inundated with personal messages, far outweighing any job notifications. "OMG, I saw the post... Call me." That was from Ava, a friend I hadn't heard from since late last year.

"She's a backstabbing cow. He's a dirty prick. I'm with you," Mia chimed in. Her support was hardly a surprise; she'd always detested both Lily and Daniel.

"Are you alive? I'm coming over," Ava's concern was palpable in her follow- up.

"Your phone is off. Please turn it on and call me back," Mia sent the next day.

"I knocked. No answer. Are you in town?" Lily checked in once again.

Then, among the sea of messages, was an email from the main instigator. "Charlotte, I'm sorry you had to find out this way. We should talk." With a forceful click, I deleted the message.

I took a deep breath, trying to quell the dizziness that my surge of anger brought. As my eyes threatened to spill tears, I grappled with identifying my tumultuous emotions.

It wasn't just anger simmering within me; it was raw fury. I had to remind myself that Daniel and I were on a hiatus. Had he proposed to anyone else in the world anyone but Lily believe I wouldn't have batted an eye. In fact, I'd likely have wished him well with genuine relief. Deciding against diving

Into another email, I was wary of the avalanche of sympathy. Swiftly scanning the senders and subjects of the other thirty unread messages, my gaze settled on one from Dusty Burrows of Golden Destinations magazine. It was a response to an article pitch I'd sent over a year ago. A part of me hesitated, fearing yet another professional setback. But then a thought struck: It would be a refreshing change from the pity. With that, I opened the message, and therein lay the perfect reason for my escape.

Dear Charlotte,

I sincerely apologize for the delay in my response. We've greatly enjoyed your "Stumble Through In a Taxi" series and are keen to feature one of your articles in our upcoming spring issue.

The editorial team has decided to offer you the spotlight with a feature story. Kindly respond at your earliest convenience so we can discuss details.

Warm regards,

CB

Without hesitation, I accepted the offer. Emily's Vineyard felt like the right destination for me. Initial research showed that the island boasts an array of beaches, some even featuring towering cliffs-morbidly, I considered the option of leaping from one. Fortunately, early October remains an ideal time for ocean swims. Moreover, the island is abuzz with wedding festivities at this time, which I figured would lend a delightful backdrop for my article.