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“I don’t know.It would be easier than starting over with someone else,” Charlie said.

“That’s not a yes,” Abby said.

“Fine, I don’t want to marry him,” Charlie exclaimed.“I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

“And you stopped scratching,” Morgan said.

Charlie looked down at her arms.“I’ll break up with him.I’d rather be alone than trapped in a marriage with no skin left.”As soon as the words were out of Charlie’s mouth, she felt her shoulders relaxing.She knew she was about to jump out of the way of a runaway boulder.A boulder that wouldn’t have just crushed her; it would’ve decimated her future.“I’ll call him tomorrow,” she said.

“Call him tonight,” Abby said.

“I’ll call himtonight,” Charlie said.Her heart skipped a beat.

After dinner, while Morgan and Abby relaxed, Charlie closed the door to her bedroom and picked up her phone.

“Hey, there,” Rick said.“I told my parents we’re getting married.”

“You what?”Charlie said, lying down next to Albert on the soft down comforter.She wished she could disappear into it.

“I said we didn’t know when, but just that we’d decided.”

“Rick…I don’t want to get married.”

“You don’t?”

“No.”

“I don’t either.I thought that was what you wanted.”

“Years ago, it was, but not anymore.”

“That’s great.Then we can keep everything the same.”

“Not exactly.”Charlie sat up, bracing herself.“I want to break up,” she said.

“Very funny.”

“It’s not a joke.I know it’s not ideal to do this over the phone, but I need to tell you today.You said yourself, our relationship has been lacking.”

“Yes, but I didn’t want to end it.”

“We’ve both been going through the motions because we’re scared to let go.”

“I’m not scared, I love you.”

“I love you too, but this relationship isn’t right for me anymore.”

“Is this coming from your sisters?”

“No.Both of us have changed.”

“I haven’t.”

“Well, I have.”

“You’ll be back, you need me,” Rick said.

“Rick,youneedme.”Charlie could imagine him shaking his head in denial.“Before I get back in town, please get anything of yours from my apartment and leave the key on the coffee table.”