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“Nice to meet you.” Charlie shook her hand, not even looking the teensiest bit nervous.

Unfair. Clearly, Mack was the only one freaking out right now.

“I’m so happy to meet you!” Her mom looked like she death-gripped Charlie’s hand and pumped it multiple times. “So, you’re the one that my Mackey keeps talking about.”

“Mom, Jesus.”

Her mom waved her off. “Charlie, come in, come in. What can I get for you? A drink? Cookie? Soda?”

Charlie shook her head. “No, I’m good, thank you.”

“Snacks? String cheese? Edibles?”

Mack scrunched her face. “Mom.” A hole must exist somewhere that could swallow her. Having her parents there for a first date should’ve been a hard no. What was she thinking? But Charlie wanted to pick her up, this was her current residence, and she had limited options.

Her mom threw her hands up. “Sorry, sorry. I heard you have a great shop. I’ll definitely make my way down, soon.”

Her mom peered so intently at Mack that her face would likely implode, clearly trying to read any single micro-expression to decode Mack’s thoughts. Probably already planning some grand wedding with lesbian cake toppers and too much food and wine and miniature salted caramels.

“I’d love it,” Charlie said. “Anytime. Is Andrew around? I have a folder for him.”

Mack lifted an eyebrow at the large envelope Charlie pulled from her bag. Werethese the bills she mentioned while stripping floors? The image of Charlie sobbing that afternoon bored into her memory. She swallowed back the urge to demand Charlie tell her everything so she could fix whatever needed fixing.

“Yep, he’s just changing. I’ll grab him for you. Mackey, watch the noodles.” Her mom skipped away, leaving Mack and Charlie.

Alone.

These nerves were ridiculous. For weeks, she’d spent every day with Charlie. More than almost any human on the planet. But now, her heart raced so fast she didn’t know if she should scream or dance or pass out, and every word formerly housed in her brain fled for other places.

“Sorry about my mom,” Mack finally pushed out after too many quiet moments passed.

“She’s great.” Charlie smiled. “So… I’m super pumped for tonight. I know where we should go, unless you have some thoughts.”

Mack shrugged. “I’m clueless. Seriously. It’s your city. I’m at your mercy.”

“Oh, this could get interesting.” Charlie giggled. “Ben’s aunt owns a great bar and restaurant downtown, and his roommate, Remi, bartends there. We’re talking about the best Puerto Rican food in the city. Thought we could hit up Pike Place first, look around, then head there for a late dinner?”

Charlie could’ve suggested knitting in a retirement home and it would’ve sounded amazing. “Perfect.”

A door closed in the distance, and soon her dad popped into the kitchen with her mom trailing behind. “Hey, Charlie.”

“Hey, Andrew. Sorry it was so crazy when you stopped by earlier and I didn’t get the chance to properly thank you for everything. Seriously. You have no idea how much all this means to me.”

“Ah, you girls did all the hard stuff.” He grabbed an IPA out of the fridge and twisted off the top. “You two kicked ass the other day. Put my crew to shame.”

“Mack, I’m surprised you’re not more handy in general,” her mom said. “Your dad has always been good with his hands.”

“Damn straight.”

“Drew!” She backhanded him on the chest while Charlie giggled and Mack groaned. “Not what I meant.”

A year ago, a month ago even, Mack never would’ve dreamed she’d be standing in her parents’ beautiful new condo with her mom stirring pasta sauce, her dad doing whatever the heck he was doing, and the woman of her dreams laughing and soaking it all in next to her. Every part of her filled with warmth.

Now all she had to do was silence her conscience, untangle her knotted gut, and pretend she wasn’t using Charlie to create.

“Charlie, did Mack tell you the story of how I convinced her mom to go out with me?” her dad asked as he dipped his pinkie into the sauce, and ducked to avoid another smack from his wife.

Charlie tilted her head. “No… but now I’m curious.”