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Once again, Charlotte was the first one to arrive at Ossington Cider Bar, and once again, there were no tables for five available, so she waited at the bar. She ordered a glass of dry, musty cider and smiled as she imagined Mike teasing her about it.
After hanging out with him for twenty-four hours, it was nice to have a few moments to herself. Sure, she was surrounded by people, but none of them were paying attention to her.
Admittedly, being with Mike wasn’t as draining as being with other people. She could spend lots of time with him without getting stabby, and when she wanted a few minutes of quiet, he was happy to oblige and simply hold her hand.
Though she still hadn’t forgiven him for taking her on the log flume ride at Centreville. He’d insisted it would be lots of fun.
She’d gotten fucking soaked.
Somehow, she’d ended up getting twice as wet as he had. How unfair.
But they’d laughed afterward, and she supposed it hadn’t been that bad, given the hot weather. When she’d refused cotton candy, he’d bought her a coffee as a consolation prize.
He’d also dragged her onto the swan ride and convinced her to rent a tandem bicycle so they could bike around the Toronto Islands. There were multiple islands, many connected by short bridges, and they’d ridden past the houses on Algonquin and Ward’s Islands—it could be cool to live there, she supposed.
So, yes, apparently being spontaneous could be tolerable at times.
It was different from how it had been with Brad. Mike would only nudge her a little out of her comfort zone, and he would respect her if she refused to do something. He clearly understood who she was. Whereas Brad hadn’t understood her at all and had kept pushing her to do things she absolutely hated.
Also, Mike didn’t steal the blankets in his sleep or talk too loudly. He did hate spiders, which were noble creatures in her opinion, but somehow, that didn’t bother her.
“Hey!” Nicole said, coming up beside Charlotte. “How was your first real date last night?”
“It was good. I stayed over and we went to the island today. Even went on the swan ride.”
“You did what?”
Charlotte shrugged. “He’s very persuasive.”
“What did he do to persuade you?” Nicole waggled her eyebrows.
“Not telling.”
“I’ll assume it was very dirty.”
“You can assume whatever you want.”
“Is there photographic evidence of you in the swan boat?”
“Um, no,” Charlotte said, though it was a lie. The photographic evidence was, however, on Mike’s phone.
Sierra walked over. “What’s this about Charlotte and a swan?”
“She and Mike went on the swan ride at Centreville.”
“No! She didn’t!”
“Ah, so you’re still dating Mike Guo.” Julie walked over to them, a tray of empty glasses in her hands. “This is getting serious.”
Dear God. Charlotte hung her head.
See what happened when you went on a fucking swan ride with a cute guy?
“Mom and Dad are going to be so pleased,” Julie said, then made a face. “Dammit, they really are going to be pleased.”
“Don’t you dare tell—”
“Who, me? I would never.”
“Right.”
“What’s Mike been doing for the last two decades anyway?” Julie asked.
“He’s a financial advisor now,” Charlotte said.
“How boring.”
Charlotte shot her sister a death glare. The death glare she’d specifically perfected for use with Julie.
“What else has he been up to?” Julie asked, unperturbed.
Getting hot.
Julie pointed at her. “You look like you’re daydreaming about him.”
“Am not.”
“Julie’s right,” Nicole said.
Charlotte aimed her death glare at Nicole, but Nicole seemed equally unperturbed.
Dammit, she was losing her touch.
“Anyway, as much as I’d love to stay and chat,” Julie said, “I think your table is ready.”
Sierra, Nicole, and Charlotte followed the hostess to the back patio and took their seats.
“You’re practically glowing,” Nicole said to Charlotte.
“Fuck off,” Charlotte said.
“No, really, you are. I’m happy for you.”
“Are you? I thought you didn’t do relationships.”
“That doesn’t mean I can’t be happy for my friends. As long as he treats you right and doesn’t propose to you at a baseball game or swallow your identity.”
Yeah, Charlotte knew that was what Nicole feared, due to past experience.
Nicole had been with her ex for a couple of years when he suggested they open up their relationship, which resulted in her having lots of fun with other guys, and him whining about not getting any action. She’d realized just how good sex could be and also how much of herself she’d changed for him. So, she’d ended it.
But Charlotte didn’t feel like she was losing her individual identity in her relationship, even if Mike was getting her to do things she wouldn’t normally do, and she was very happy with the sex. She still felt like herself, just with more sex and spontaneity. And, okay, sometimes she was less ornery when she was with him.
“Are you bringing him to Amy’s wedding?” Sierra asked.
“Yes, he’s agreed to come.”
“Are you going to dance with him?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. He can dance by himself.”
Knowing Mike, he’d probably ask her to dance once or twice, but then he’d let it go. He wouldn’t use his powers of persuasion, knowing that she detested dancing more than swan rides and sweet cider.
Amy sat down across from her. “How was your date?”
“Apparently it was awesome,” Sierra said. “She keeps trying not to smile.”
“Where’s Rose?” Charlotte asked, rather than answering Amy’s question.
“Oh.” Nicole frowned. “She’s not feeling well today.”
“Is she sick?” Amy asked. “I’ll bring her some soup.”
Charlotte, Nicole, and Sierra all looked at each other. Amy was new to their group, and she didn’t know everything about Rose. Charlotte wasn’t going to be the one who told Amy the truth, not without Rose’s permission.
Because if Rose wasn’t up to hanging out tonight, Charlotte was pretty sure of the reason. She made a mental note to text her friend tomorrow.
“Rose is just tired,” Nicole said. “Didn’t have a good night’s sleep.” Which was probably true. “But I’m sure she’s sad that she’s missing this exciting discussion of Charlotte’s new boyfriend.”
Charlotte sighed and looked down at her menu.
And then, because she couldn’t seem to help herself, she thought of the way Mike had slid his hands all over her body last night as he held her from behind, and that cheeky smile he’d given her after she’d gotten soaked from the flume ride.
* * *
Is that a picture of you on a swan boat? Rose asked.
Yes, Charlotte texted. Mike had sent it to her earlier, and she hoped it would give her friend a laugh. But please don’t send it to anyone else. For your eyes only.
Oh, don’t worry, I would NEVER do something like that...
Charlotte wasn’t an expert at discerning people’s moods from text messages, but it did seem like Rose was doing okay, if she was making jokes.
How are you? Charlotte asked.
Better than yesterday. I actually slept last night. Only four hours, but it’s better than nothing, and I don’t feel quite as depressed.
Rose had struggled with depression for as long as Charlotte had known her. It ran in Rose’s family.
You know, Rose said, I think it would be better for my mental health if I lived with someone. Not you, don’t worry. Sierra, maybe, once Amy gets married. You think I should ask?
Charlotte definitely didn’t want to live with a friend, but not everyone in the world was like her, thank God. Society would be completely dysfunctional if that were the case.
Well, maybe it already was. But still.
Sure, why not? she said to Rose. Worst thing that could happen is she says no.
Though Rose might take that harder than Charlotte would.
I don’t want to be a burden, Rose said.
I’m sure you’re not a burden to live with. Not that Charlotte knew from personal experience. She’d lived with Nicole and Sierra for three years in undergrad, but Rose had lived with someone else during university. However, Rose was always hyper-aware of not causing problems for other people.
It’s not like I want someone to look after me, Rose said. I just want the company. To eat dinner with another person sometimes, you know?
You should ask her.
Okay, I will. I’m heading out now to get some fresh air.
Sounds awful.
Going on walks is good for you!
So you’ve told me, Charlotte said.
Thank you. For the swan boat picture. I’ll be sure to plaster it all over social media.
You’re hilarious.