Escaping Love (Rewrite) [Book #1]

Chapter 40

|| CHARLOTTE ||

|| Friday, February 14th ||

I stood in front of my full-length mirror, putting my gold earrings on. I wore a red dress that I haven't touched in years. I'm surprised it still fits.

Jackie walked out of the restroom in her maroon button-up and black pants. I felt her come up behind me and zipping the remainder of my dress.

I smiled, watching her through the mirror, "Thank you."

Jackie kissed my cheek, "You look beautiful." Then she walked out of our bedroom.

We drove to the restaurant Il Terrazzo Carmine. Jackie gave Chelsea a call when we arrived, and we saw Chelsea waving at us. After arriving at the table, there was already a guy sitting down at it.

He smiled at us and stood up, "Hi. Glad the two of you can make it on such short notice."

"It wasn't that short. We had five days to think about it," Jackie smiled.

"You must be Charlotte."

"The one and only," I said. "James, correct?"

"Yes, it's a pleasure," he said, and we shook hands.

I turned to see Jackie pulling out a seat for me, "Thank you, babe."

"Hello, I see the entire party has arrived. May I get everyone something to drink?" The waiter asked us.

Chelsea and I got a glass of wine while Jackie and James ordered water. After taking a few sips and ordering all our dishes, we sat talking.

"So, Jackie," Chelsea started. "It's been five days. I've wanted to know about the ring."

Jackie smiled, and I looked at her, "Well, we got married."

Chelsea and James had wide eyes. To make matters more believable, I held up my left hand, where the engagement ring and wedding band were fitting.

"Wow, you both moved quickly. How long were you both together?" James asked.

Jackie looked over at me and smiled, "About two years. We started dating before Jackie moved here."

I only smiled, and Chelsea gave me a suspicious look. James, on the other hand, sounded thrilled for us.

"We're happy for the both of you," James said.

"Thanks."

"Enough about us, what about the both of you?" Jackie asked.

Her hand was under the table holding mine, gripping it a little tighter than usual. I placed my other hand on top of hers, running it on her skin to calm both of us.

"Everything is going great. James just got a promotion," Chelsea smiled and looked at him.

"Wow, congrats," Jackie said.

"Where do you work?" I asked him.

"The Butcher's Table. Just got promoted to Sous Chef," he smiled.

"So, I imagine you did culinary arts?" I asked.

"Yeah, best four years of my life. That's also how I met this woman," he nudged. "We went to different schools, but I worked part-time as a waiter in a restaurant near the university. She was always coming around with her friends for all four years. I was never able to ask her out. Until there was an event at the university for art students, it was during her second year, and it was for this art gallery. Our restaurant catered at the event."