The best man

Chapter 11

Charlotte, smiling warmly, disappears behind the counter for a moment. When she returns, she holds a small red Cartier box in her hands. Slowly, she opens it to reveal the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. The diamond is an oval cut, sparkling brilliantly under the store's lights. It's set in a thin, delicate band of platinum, with smaller diamonds surrounding the center stone, making the whole piece shimmer with an ethereal elegance. My breath catches at how perfect it is, how much thought Ethan must have put into choosing something so timeless and graceful.

For a moment, I just stare at it, my emotions catching up to me. Before I know it, a tear slips down my cheek. Embarrassed, I quickly wipe it away.

Charlotte, seeing this, lets out a little chuckle, clearly misunderstanding. "Aww, that's so sweet," she says, her voice soft. "It's okay to feel emotional. It's a big step."

I swallow hard, wanting to correct her but unsure where to start. My chest feels tight as I look at the ring again, the weight of everything starting to sink in. I take a deep breath and decide it's time to clear the air.

"I have to tell you something," I begin, my voice low but steady. Charlotte looks at me, her expression curious. "The first time I saw you with Ethan... I felt really insecure. I thought you were so pretty, and I didn't know how to handle it. I asked Ethan if something was going on between the two of you."

Charlotte's eyebrows shoot up in surprise, but she remains silent, letting me continue.

"He told me you two were just friends, but then... I saw this message pop up on his phone. And after that, I followed you both to that café where you met." I feel my face grow hot with embarrassment, but I push through. "I saw you holding his hand, and I just assumed... I thought the worst. I thought you two were having an affair."

Before I can say anything else, Charlotte's face softens, and she holds up a hand to stop me. "Lily," she says gently, "it wasn't like that at all."

My heart thuds in my chest as I look at her, confused.

She continues, her voice calm and understanding. "Ethan and I met because he wanted to talk about the ring. He needed advice, and I offered to help him pick something that felt right for you. That's why I held his hand—for a moment, to congratulate him and guide him toward a choice that suited you."

Her eyes hold mine, and she smiles softly. "And, Lily... I'm a lesbian."

The words hang in the air for a moment, and I blink, stunned. "You're... what?"

She laughs lightly, not in a mocking way, but to ease the tension. "Yeah, I'm gay. I've been with my girlfriend for five years now." She looks at me with a knowing expression. "So trust me, there's absolutely nothing going on between me and Ethan."

I feel the weight lift off my shoulders instantly. All this time, I'd been spiraling over something that wasn't even real. I almost laugh at the absurdity of it, but instead, I just nod, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry," I mumble, feeling incredibly foolish. "I don't know why I jumped to conclusions like that."

Charlotte smiles kindly. "It's okay, Lily. I get it. Love makes us all a little crazy sometimes. But you've got nothing to worry about. Ethan's completely in love with you. Trust me, I've seen the way he talks about you."

Her words bring a warmth to my chest that I hadn't felt in days. Ethan had been planning something so special, and I had let my insecurities cloud everything.