Chapter 34 - Invitation

Eric stood behind the counter at the flower shop in a daze, since it wasn't too busy for once.

"Something wrong, my boy?" Kal asked, tapping on the counter to grab his attention. "If you're too bored at the moment, I can always find you something to do around here."

"Ah, no, I'm not bored," Eric's cheeks flushed.

"Oh-ho, but there's definitely another story there. Is it Karen? Sometimes I think she likes you... but when I suggested it, she refused and said you're just friends, in quite an adamant way."

"No; Charlotte showed up at my motel room."

"Oh? Due tell," Kal leaned on his palm, his elbow on the counter.

"She... told me she'd be coming for me soon, and that I'm not allowed to court anyone else right before she kissed me." Eric touched his lips.

Kal whistled. "Damn, boy; you've caught yourself a fine woman."

"Yes, but I don't think I'm good enough for her," he sighed.

"She already chose you; what are you worried about?"

Eric frowned as he gazed at him, lost in thought. "Doing the wrong thing."

"As someone with many more years of experience than you, let me tell you this: everyone messes up sometimes, but it's how you handle yourself afterwards that matters. And she fell for you, Eric; accept her when she comes back for you. Ugh, this is all because of the Dean fellow, isn't it?"

"More like a lifetime of feeling like I'm not worth anything," Eric sighed. "I felt better around Charlotte for a while until he explained how I didn't belong."

"Don't listen to people like him; they're only out to tear other people down. He wants Charlotte, and you want to protect her, but it'll be easier to protect her when she's beside you."

"Do you think I made a mistake by running away?"

Kal smirked. "I think the way you went about it is wrong, but you two needed to come up with a plan, and staying away from her holds off Dean for a while."

"I still wanted to run away when I saw her in the parking lot, but... even now, I just want to have her in my arms." Eric stared at the counter. "I'm hopeless, aren't I?"

"I think you need your knight to come for you," Kal snickered.

"Yeah..." Eric blushed. "She's cool, isn't she? Or should I not say that? The guy's supposed to rescue the girl, right?"

Kal laughed. "Does it matter who saves who? As long as you two have each other's backs and try to take care of each other, it doesn't matter who does the saving. You've already tried to save her from Dean, so it's time to leave things in her capable hands."

Eric nodded. "I guess you're right. Thank you, Kal. Is this... what it's like to have a parent?" It always feels like I've missed so much.

Kal's eyes widened, and he gripped Eric's shoulders. "I guess you've had a harder life than I thought, but now I'd say we're close enough for you to see me like a parent. I never had kids of my own; I was too busy growing a business, and working on a computer to bother with any relationships..."

"Sounds like I'm not the only one with a story."

"I fell in love, once upon a time, with a strong woman like yours who supported me. I lost her to someone else because I was too busy. I swear, that used to be the motto of my life: I'm too busy," Kal sighed. "After her, no one else compared. I guess I lost my Charlotte, but you better not run from yours."

Not sure I could get away if I tried. Not that I'd want to...

"And don't forget, she already saw through the ruse Dean set up to divide you two."

Eric nodded and picked at a dent in the counter. "What can I do to help her right now, though? I don't feel right leaving everything up to her. I should share the burden."

"Stay healthy, maybe get more sleep, and be ready to run to her side at a moment's notice. I suspect it won't be much longer until you're reunited." Kal pulled out an envelope from his back pocket. "This showed up for you."

"I got mail here?" Eric took the envelope. There was no address, only his name listed on it. "Um... Who dropped off mail here for me?"

"Why don't you open it and find out?"

"I don't know... What if it's from Dean and it's all a trick?"

"You think Dean found you here? Why would he bother? You did what he asked and left her house and abandoned your job. Why don't you open it before making assumptions?"

"What if there's something dangerous in here? I remember there being an incident a long while ago, about someone getting a razor in their mail..." Eric trailed off when Kal snatched the envelope back from him.

"If you're too afraid to open it, I'll open it for you." Kal turned away from him before he could reach out for it again. Kal turned to him, smiling as he hid the contents of the envelope.

"What is it?" Eric swallowed hard. "Who was it from?"

"It was an invitation," Kal held it out to him. "From your dear Charlotte Burne to a party."

Eric's hand shook as he reached out for it. "But... why? What is she thinking, inviting me?"

"Maybe it means things are finally settled."

"Do you think so? But then why didn't she say it the other night?"

"Well, there's a week until this party, so I'd say she's got something planned."

"Char..." Eric muttered her name as he lightly touched her name on the invitation.

"I guess I should give you a ride there when the time comes."

"Hmm?"

"I'm going, too," Kal pulled out his invitation.

"Why would she invite you?"

"Because I'm a new investor in her company."

Eric's jaw dropped. "Kal, have you been holding back on me? Are you rich?"

"I never said otherwise," Kal chuckled, giving him a cheeky smile. "And I'm always looking for good investment opportunities, even though I've mostly left that world behind. Thank you for that. I'm sure Miss Burne will go on to do great things. Now, it's time to close up shop. Do you want something to eat, or are you going to go home?"

"Your food's better than anything I've bought."

"Why thank you; I strive to serve delicious, hearty food. Come on."

Eric headed home at night, and in the motel parking lot, he couldn't help but think about Charlotte. He sighed and entered his motel room while loosening his tie. Even though Kal told him he didn't have to keep wearing it, going to work without a suit on felt odd. Besides, it seemed like the customers liked him that way.

He found a garment bag sitting on his bed. He looked around to make sure no one was around before unzipping the bag.

A tuxedo? It has to have been either Charlotte or Timo, but doesn't that mean they broke into this place? That shouldn't surprise me at all... I guess I don't have to worry about what to wear to the party, but it also feels like I don't have a choice...

Eric found a card sitting in the chest pocket of the tuxedo. It had a red lipstick kiss on it.

Char... He held the card up to his lips. I'll see you soon.