AGAIN || MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE

Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28

Charles

Now

'So, wait.' Pierre says, lounging on the couch with a glass of water in hand. He leans forward, eyebrows raised. 'You're saying you asked her to be your girlfriend again, and she said yes?' I stop pacing and turn to him.

'Yes.'

The word comes out breathless, like I've just crossed the finish line after a tough race. 'Can you believe it? She said yes!' Pierre's face splits into a grin. 'Mate, that's amazing! You've been miserable without her. I mean, you're insufferable normally, but it was unbearable.'

'Thanks.' I mutter, rolling my eyes. But his teasing makes me smile, if only for a moment. I sit down on the armchair across from him, running a hand through my hair. 'Just, she can never know how bad it got, Pierre. What I went through when she left. What I was about to do.'

Pierre's grin fades, replaced by concern. 'Charles.'

I wave a hand quickly. 'I'm fine now. But back then I wasn't. She can't know. It's not her fault, and I don't want her to feel guilty.' Pierre leans forward, his voice soft but steady. 'You're stronger than you give yourself credit for, mate. And look at you now, she's back, and you've got a second chance. That's what matters.' I nod, but the weight of those memories still lingers. Pierre, sensing the mood, breaks into a sly smile. 'Listen Charles, I'm sorry I've been a piece of shit with her at first. The day on the yacht, it wasn't right of me to shout at her like that and even if things are good now, I never really apologized to you.' I can feel Pierre's really sorry, and I smile a little, appreciating his apologies. 'You're good, I don't know what you two talked about but what matters is that no one hates anyone.'

'So all good?' He asks now, probably sensing that something is still off with me.

'It's just, I don't know. I feel relieved, happy, but also terrified.' Pierre's grin softens into something more thoughtful. 'Why terrified? She said yes, Charles. That's huge. Isn't this what you've wanted for ages?'

'It is.' I admit, my voice quieter now.

'But things are different. She's different. Every time I try to get close, really close, she freezes. There's still this wall she's keeping up. She won't talk about what happened in New York, and I don't want to push her, but...' I trail off, staring at the floor.

'You're scared she'll pull away again.' Pierre finishes for me. I nod, swallowing hard. 'I can't go through that again, Pierre. Losing her once nearly broke me. And now with the season already on, I'm going to be away so much. What if she feels alone? What if she thinks I'm not there for her?' Pierre sets the glass down on the coffee table and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. 'First of all, she said yes because she wants to be with you. If she didn't think it could work, she wouldn't have agreed.'

'But what if she's just trying? What if she's not sure but doesn't want to hurt me again?' Pierre shakes his head. 'You're overthinking. She's not doing this out of pity, Charles. Come on, this is Céline we're talking about. She's not the type to do something she doesn't mean.'

I let out a shaky breath.

'You're right. I know you're right. But every time I see that look in her eyes, I know she's holding something back, it's like there's this knot in my chest I can't untangle.' Pierre's quiet for a moment, studying me.

'Have you talked to her about it?'

'Not really.' I admit. 'I've tried, but she changes the subject or says she's not ready. And I get it, I do. But it's hard not to feel like I'm doing something wrong.'