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Chapter 25

*H E R O*

I know Charlotte is standing not far from me. As usual, I know exactly where she is. I also know she doesn't know the girls she's talking to and that probably makes her feel uncomfortable. I think back at the smile she gave me in church. I was afraid me staring at her would freak her out but then she smiled back, at last. After all those months I finally saw that smile. In that smile I saw so many possibilities. I saw hope for us after all. I felt like all would be well eventually. But then she didn't want to walk beside me. I could sense her lingering so I didn't make it hard on her and just walked out. Once outside she couldn't take her eyes off me, even Killian said so and that sparked my hope again. And the best part was when the photographer wanted me to hold her. I wrapped my arms around her and closed my hands around hers. They felt as soft as I remember. I felt them trembling, though I wasn't sure if it were hers or mine that were trembling. Maybe both. I drew her body back a bit so it touched mine completely. And all was well in the world. I immediately felt her heartbeat rising. Mine did as well. I was so worried that she would feel my heart pounding against her back. I sensed that she tried to control her breathing but she failed. And to top it off, I had to put my face closer to hers. Her soft hair brushed against my cheek and I inhaled her scent. I missed the sweet smell of her shampoo and the scent of her skin. I felt her body react to mine in the same way as it used to. That sparked my hope again. She still cares! I almost couldn't bear the closeness of her lips but I managed to control myself. After the photographer dismissed us, I held her a little longer. She didn't move either. Oh how good it felt. But then Lizzie's cousin told her to get in her carriage and she walked away without a word. She gave me a quick smile and she couldn't get away fast enough. That confused me so much and it was also very disappointing.

"Earth to Hero," I hear Killian say.

I snap back out of my thoughts.

"What?" I ask confused.

"Do you want an other glass of champagne?" he asks.

"No, I'd rather have a beer!"

"Good idea," Jack's dad says. He turns around and orders three beers.

"Why don't you just walk over to her and talk to her instead of drooling over her," Killian suggests.

"I'm not drooling."

"I feel like I'm back at Uni. You used to drool over her back then as well," Killian teases.

"Oh shut up," I say.

"It's true! You guys would stare at each other and hate each other all the time!"

I give him a push and take a sip of my beer.

"I'm going over there. I haven't seen her in months and I owe her an apology."

Just like that Killian starts walking. It would look weird I guess if I didn't join him. I look at Jack's dad but he's talking to an other fellow so I take another sip of my beer and start walking as well. The girls she's talking to have soon noticed this and they start giggling, of course. Charlotte looks up and watches us come closer. I can sense her insecurity. Of course she would be. The last time we talked I yelled at her. I feel so ashamed now.

"Charlotte!" Killian says and he wraps her arms around her. He gives her a tight hug and that makes me a little jealous. I can't do that even though I'm dying to touch her again. I notice that she deliberately doesn't look at me.

"Killian," she says with a small smile. "Long time no see."

I can hear the bitterness in her voice because he dismissed her so easily the last time she went to visit him.

"Char, I am so so sorry. It's all over now and I wish I hadn't treated you like that. It's just... I was trying to manage my relationship. I know now that one should never pick girlfriends over actual friends." The sadness in his voice is so clear and Charlotte really has no choice but to forgive him.

"That's alright," she gives him a big smile now.

Killian smiles back because he knows they're okay now. I wish it was that simple for me.

"Charlotte," I say with a low voice.

"Hi, Hero," she finally turns her gaze over to me. Her big, chocolate eyes are full of wonder. Clearly she doesn't know how to act around me. The girls around her keep very quiet as well because they want to witness our reunion. Doubtless they have read all about our relationship in the tabloids.

"God, do you guys realize we haven't been together since Cardiff?" Killian breaks the silence. "Come on you guys, we need to take a selfie!"

Just like that the tension is gone and Killian pulls us both closer.