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“Don’t eat too much, though. We’re having your brothers and the girls over for dinner tonight,” Heather says just as I start to swallow the bite, which ends up getting stuck halfway down, causing me to break out into a fit of coughing.

“Are you okay?” Lyric smacks my back gently, like that’s going to help the food go down.

“Yeah,” I croak, reaching for the bottle of water Heather extends to me. “Wrong hole.” I clear my throat and take a long pull of water. “Sorry, go on,” I say, completely aware that I’ve interrupted what she was saying.

“Oh, that was all.” She waves a hand through the air.

“Char and I were going to go to Ziggy’s tonight,” Lyric tells her mom with a pout.

“Well, too bad. You can go tomorrow. I haven’t had all my children in the same room since Christmas. You can give me one dinner. We have yet to celebrate River’s new job, so it’ll give us the opportunity to do that as well. Besides, it’ll give you a chance to introduce Charlotte to your brothers.”

“She’s already met River.” Lyric is quick to tell her. “At family weekend, remember?”

I certainly remember...

“Oh, that’s right. Well, Dalton and the girls then.”

“Dalton who? The only people I care about are my nieces.” Lyric knocks her shoulder against mine. “You’re going to love the girls. They are the absolute cutest, sweetest little things.”

“I’ve heard so much about them; I feel like I already know them.” I force a smile.

“Are you okay if we go to Ziggy’s tomorrow?”

“Of course,” I’m quick to agree, because really, what am I supposed to say, no?

“Then it’s settled.” Heather claps her hands together. “Dinner is at six. Don’t be late.”

“Where are you going?” Lyric asks her mom as she collects her purse, sliding the strap over her shoulder.

“To the store to buy what I need for dinner.”

“Can you pick me up some pineapple while you’re there?”

“Sure. Anything for you, Charlotte?” It takes me longer than it should to realize she’s talking to me, my brain still trying to digest the fact that in just five short hours, I will be sitting in the same room as River for the first time since the night we met.

So much for not seeing him while I was here, though I’d be lying if I said a part of me wasn’t excited. He’s probably going to lose his shit when he walks in and sees me. That I’m aware of, he has no idea I’m here. Then again, he and Lyric are pretty close. It’s not out of the question that she would have mentioned it. I’m not sure which I’d prefer—him knowing what he’s walking into, or being completely caught off guard instead.

“Oh, no, I’m good. Thank you.” I take another bite of my sandwich, my mind already off to the races.

What do I wear?

What do I say?

Do I act like I don’t know him at all?

Do I act like I do?

A million and one questions plague my brain over the course of the next few hours.

When it comes time to get ready, I take extra care in my appearance. If I’m going to be forced to endure the company of a man who’s made it clear he wants nothing to do with me, the least I can do is make him regret that decision, even if just a little bit.

“Char!” Lyric gives me a catcall whistle as I exit the guest room Heather was nice enough to make up for me for the week. It sits directly across from Lyric’s room, so she has a perfect view of me from where she’s sitting in front of her vanity. “You lookamazing,” she tells me as I step into her doorway, leaning my shoulder against the frame.

“Figured if I was going to meet your whole family, I should look semi-decent.” I look down at the black, pleated miniskirt that I paired with a fitted blue top with sleeves that come to my elbows. It’s modest but sexy. Sleek but casual. And just the right type of outfit that will have River Parker unable to keep his eyes off me tonight. Or at least, that’s the plan.

I know what you’re thinking—I thought you were done with him—and maybe I am. Or maybe I’m just waiting for him to realize his mistake. Hopefully, this outfit will help me out a little in that department.

I tied my auburn hair up in a loose pony with tendrils falling down around my face and kept my makeup soft and natural, with the exception of my red-painted lips. If I’m going to put on my best metaphorical face, it doesn’t hurt if my actual face looks good too.