24. COINCIDENCE

24

COINCIDENCE

" A re you sure we don't need to take you to the doctor? They accept walk-ins." Charlotte's mom looked at her in the rearview mirror once she put the car in park.

"I'll be fine once I'm out of the car."

Her mothers shared a look before her ma turned in her seat and gave her a sympathetic smile. "You think it might be because of your medicine?"

She'd finally told them about the depression medication while they were in the hotel in Atlanta. She couldn't hide it from them and didn't want to. She didn't feel shame for needing a pill to sometimes help her get through the day, but she felt anxiety around whether they would look down on her or treat her differently.

"No. I've taken the pills for months now. If I were going to have side effects like this, it would have already happened."

Within days of leaving Rosebrook Valley, sickness had settled in and got worse as the days passed until her mothers took notice. She kept experiencing cold sweats, extreme lethargy, stomach upset, and pounding migraines the likes of which she'd never experienced.

"I just need to rest. I think being in an unfamiliar place after only getting back from college has been a lot to handle."

The only time the symptoms eased was one night after she got off the phone with Aiden a couple of days after she arrived in Atlanta. She called him after dinner while her mothers went to a show. She decided to stay in the room after vomiting twice; she didn't want to ruin their night.

After disconnecting the call, she got the strangest ache that spread through her body until her body burned with arousal. She took care of it the only way she knew how when on her own. When her legs became weak, she sat in the bottom of the shower as the sickness took hold again and she vomited down the drain.

It made no sense to her why her body wouldn't act right.

"Let's get you inside then," her mom said, opening her door and walking to the front door while her ma grabbed the luggage from the trunk.

Charlotte ambled up the paved walkway, rubbing at bleary eyes that wouldn't focus.

"That's so sweet of him," her mom said, facing the front door.

Putting the luggage on the porch, her ma asked, "What's sweet of who?"

"Aiden." Her mom turned, a bright smile on her face. In her hands was a crystal vase filled with a bouquet of pink roses, a tiny envelope with "Charlotte" printed on the front clipped on a plastic stem. "I always knew there would be something between the two of you."

Charlotte's stomach tightened.

"I thought so too. Charlotte, sweetheart, why didn't you tell us?"

Unlocking the door, her mom went inside carrying the roses while Charlotte stood frozen in place on the steps. How did she explain those weren't from Aiden? How did she explain who the roses were from? Her chest tightened at the idea of facing what they would say to her for hiding everything from them.

"Charlotte?"

She yelped and flinched when her ma put a hand on her arm.

"What's the matter with you? Are you absolutely sure we don't need to take you to the doctor?"

"No!"

Her ma's eyebrows lifted.

"I mean, no ma'am. Sorry."

Her ma gave her a wary look, grabbing the handles of the two large rolling suitcases, her duffel bag balanced against the handle of one of them. "Well, let's get inside so you can rest."

Charlotte followed her inside the house.

"I put the roses in your bedroom on the dresser," her mom said from the kitchen where she stood filling two glasses with Diet Coke. "Want some?"

"No. I think I'm just gonna lie down and take a nap."

"Jen wanted us to go out with her and Beth for dinner," her ma said, giving Charlotte a worried look. "I think I'm going to call her and cancel."

"No, it's fine. I'm fine. Go out." At both of her mothers' twin frowns, she said, "Seriously. If I get worse, I'll call you, I promise. I'm already starting to feel better now that we're home."

"If you're sure," her mom started but Charlotte held up a hand.

"I am. Go. Have fun."

Before they could say anything more, she retreated to her bedroom and shut the door, thankful she didn't have to explain anything to them. With cautious footsteps, she went to the dresser and pulled the envelope from the bouquet, opening the flap and pulling out a small card.

Soon, Cherry.

Be ready.

A coldness not brought on by the air conditioning made her body shudder. She shoved the card into her desk drawer. Aiden would want to see it.

Slipping off the ballet flats she wore, she climbed on top of the covers of her bed, curling on her side. The scent of cream and orange drifted into her nose, and she buried her face in the pillow to soak up the remnants of Aiden's scent. She missed him.

It's only been a week and a half.

She didn't care.

When her phone chirped, she pulled it out of the pocket of the black romper she wore. She loved it had pockets for things like her cell phone.

Noah:

Hey.

Her brows bunched. What in the world was Noah doing texting her?

Charlotte:

Hey. How are you?

Noah:

Good. Visiting my parents .

Charlotte:

No classes?

Noah:

Nah. After we finished our class, I'm done until fall semester.

Charlotte:

Oh. Same.

Noah:

But you're not sure if you're coming back, right?

Charlotte:

Right.

Noah:

I won't keep you, but I wanted to see if you wanted to meet up for dinner later.

Noah:

As friends!

Noah:

I promise. Only as friends.

She laughed at the messages coming in quick succession, cheered by the banter. She sat up on the bed.

Charlotte:

How can we have dinner? I'm not in Athens.

Noah:

I know. I'm in Rosebrook Valley too.

Charlotte:

Wtf?

Her brows collided. How strange… What were the odds Noah would come back to town after she returned home?

Noah:

My parents live here.

Charlotte:

I didn't know that.

Noah:

There's a lot you don't know about me. ;-)

Charlotte:

Touché. Fine. Where and when?

Noah:

I didn't think you'd accept. How about the diner you used to work at?

Charlotte:

It's got a new name, but it's hard to miss. The sign out front is flashy and neon yellow and red on black. Sizzlin' Griddle.

Noah:

In the plaza? I've seen it.

Charlotte:

Yep.

Noah:

Meet at 6?

Charlotte:

Sure.

Noah:

K

She looked at the time on her phone. She had three hours before she needed to meet with him. It would give her time for a nap and to get ready. She felt sticky and gross after the drive home while feeling ill and needed a shower. Hopefully the nap would ease the discomfort in her stomach enough that she could eat.

As she entered the diner, a smiling young server approached. His brown shaggy hair curled around his ears, falling in his eyes, giving him a boyish charm. The freckles helped.

"Hey there! I'm Alex." He tapped the sparkly green name tag attached to his suspenders. "You want a booth or the bar?"

"I'm actually meeting someone," she said, moving her gaze over the crowded diner. When her eyes locked onto a head of wavy dark brown hair, she pointed. "Him."

"Well, okay. If you need anything, I'll be here. I'll be the one running around like a chicken with my head cut off." He winked and turned away, sauntering across the room to a table that flagged him down. His perky greeting carried across the restaurant chatter.

She crossed the diner, her corkboard platform sandals clicking on the floor. She loved the shoes even if they didn't always love her. Her short white dress, similar to her favorite navy one with the sweetheart neckline and puff sleeves, matched the white ribbon around her ankles. The lack of color would help combat the humidity and also prevent any sweat stains from showing when, inevitably, the cold sweats from whatever made her so ill set in. She hoped it wasn't contagious. Maybe it was a bad idea to be in public. But her mothers seemed fine, so maybe not.

"Noah?"

Twinkling blue eyes met hers as he turned in the booth and smiled at her. "Hey, I'm glad you showed up."

"I said I would, didn't I?"

"Well, yeah. But I dunno. Was worried you'd think this was me trying to get a date." He paused, his gaze sliding down. "You look fantastic. "

She shrugged, trying to play it off. She hadn't worn the outfit to impress him. It was a strategic maneuver for physical comfort. Sliding into the booth across from him, she smiled. "Thank you. So why didn't you tell me your parents lived here when you found out I'm from here?"

His smile faltered, and he gave a light shrug. "I didn't think it was important. Didn't think either of us would be here at the same time. Didn't think you were leaving."

"Well, here we are."

"Here we are," he echoed with a grin.

Before he could say anything else, the fine hairs on her arms stood on end and, as if a magnet pulled her eyes, her gaze moved to the front entrance.

Her eyes met Aiden's, and his eyebrows lifted in surprise as a smile bloomed on her face. She hadn't contacted him since she returned. She planned to do that after her nap, but she overslept and hardly had time to shower before the walk to the diner. Her mothers were already gone, so she couldn't get a ride from them.

She lifted her arm and waved for him to come over, excitement bubbling inside that she could finally see him again. Noah turned to see what had caught her attention.

As Aiden approached, his expression turned thunderous, making her smile fall.

She slid over to allow him to sit, and he didn't miss a beat, scooting until their bodies pressed together. His muscular arm looped over the back of her neck, hand cuffing her shoulder in a proprietary move. She didn't want to admit it, but she liked this new side of him.

"So you're back in town?" he asked, never taking his eyes off Noah, who looked uncomfortable.

"I am. I got home earlier this afternoon. "

"That so." His voice was cold, hard. She didn't like that part of this new side, but was glad it was not directed at her.

"I didn't let you know because when we got there, I had a…" She paused, her eyes moving to Noah and then up to the side of Aiden's head. "A delivery."

His gaze shifted to her, and a flicker of concern passed through his eyes. She nodded, understanding what he wanted to know. His jaw clenched, and his hand tightened on her shoulder.

"Then I took a nap because I wasn't feeling good before I came here."

"You're sick? You didn't have to come out and meet me," Noah said, his eyes shifting from her to Aiden, as if he didn't know who to keep his attention focused on.

Aiden leaned over and pressed his lips to her temple. "I'm not mad," he whispered. "I missed you. Are you okay?"

Her breath caught at his words. She wanted to tell him she missed him when they texted a few nights ago, but she resisted the urge to do it. Didn't want to seem too clingy.

Sinking into his hold, she sighed. "I'm okay now." It felt weird. The unpleasant feeling that made her want to vomit and curl into a ball had subsided so remarkably that she could almost argue it all had been a dream.

An older woman with hair coiled on top of her head in a retro style, wearing the same poodle skirt uniform as several other servers, approached the table. "Hi there. Welcome to the Sizzlin' Griddle. Our special today is the Rock Steady Burger. A half-pound patty with all the fixin's and sauteed mushrooms. Comes with fries smothered in cheese and mushrooms. What can I start y'all with?"

Noah looked between Charlotte and Aiden in question. She wondered if he thought their meet-up was over now that Aiden had arrived. She didn't like that.

She looked down at her menu and then at Noah, smiling. "What do you think you'll have? I couldn't eat that much burger if I tried."

Noah's shoulders relaxed. "Yeah, me either. I like food, but not a lot of mushrooms. I think I'll get a club sandwich with plain fries and water."

"You got it. And for you darlin'?"

"I'll have the Disco Fries and one of those cherry cokes with the syrup and maraschino cherries."

"What are Disco Fries?" Aiden asked.

She handed her menu to the server. "Fries with mozzarella cheese and brown gravy."

"Sounds like the thing Dom called poutine."

"That's with cheese curds," Noah said, drawing Aiden's sharp gaze. "Poutine, I mean. I tried it when I visited Toronto last summer. Same thing almost though, yeah."

"Huh." He looked up at the server, dismissing Noah. "I'll take a regular cheeseburger and an order of Disco Fries. I also want a Cherry Coke, but not like hers. The actual flavored soda."

"Sounds good." The server bundled the remaining menus and smiled. "I'll grab your drinks now. Bear with us, we're a little packed this evenin'."

"So you two are a thing now?" Noah asked, tilting his head.

Aiden's fingertips trailed over her upper arm, causing the skin to pebble. "We are. That a problem?"

"Nope. No problem." Noah's gaze flicked to her and back to Aiden. "I'm happy for you both."

She felt a twinge of guilt in her chest. She told Noah she wasn't ready to date anyone, and here Aiden was, openly claiming her. She swallowed down the feeling. "Yeah, with not having to be in school, I didn't have the added stress."

It was true. One reason she avoided dating was school took too much of her time. Also, she couldn't involve anyone in the mess with the stalker. Aiden understood that.

"That's cool. So you're not going back to school then?"

"Why wouldn't I go back to school?"

"I mean, since you're dating, and you weren't because of school stress… If you go back—"

"If she goes back, we'll make it work," Aiden said, voice sharp.

She didn't know why he despised Noah so much. This seemed stronger than simple jealousy.

Noah pushed out of the booth. "Bathroom." He thumbed over his shoulder when she looked up at him in question.

She sat up when the server brought their drinks, taking a sip. Looking over at Aiden, she studied him now that they were alone.

He looked handsome in his medium-wash jeans and navy T-shirt, but something about him seemed off, and it wasn't the angry looks he kept sending Noah. His hair appeared flatter, his eyes were bloodshot, and around his eyes seemed darker than usual. When he caught her staring at him and raised his brows in question, she blushed.

"Are you feeling okay?" she asked.

Aiden's lips turned down at the sides, and he set his drink down. "Why?"

She looked him over once more, noticing the sweat dotting his brow. He looked like she had all week long. And while sitting in the cool diner seemed to help, it still weighed on her.

"You look like you're sick," she said, her hand coming to rest on his.

His nostrils flared, and his lips pressed together. "I'll be alright," he muttered, reaching out to pull her against him again .

She sank into his embrace, and she felt him relax and bury his face in her curls, inhaling deep.

"So we're all thinking of taking Lukas to Haven for his birthday."

"His birthday?"

"Yeah. This Friday on the twelfth. It's his twenty-first birthday."

Her face screwed up. "I didn't know he was older than you."

"Only by seven months." He took a drink of his soda as Noah approached the booth. "Anyway, Riley thought we should go celebrate there since he doesn't like a big deal made of it. You coming?"

"Of course. I'd love to come."