Tides and Tidings

Chapter 22

Charlie

W hen we returned to the hotel room, I insisted on showering first. I knew damn well that Blythe was going to take way longer to get ready, and if I could get out of her way, it would be best for both of us.

As I stood in front of the floor-length mirror and straightened out my shirt collar, I couldn’t help but think about all the events that led us here. All of the pieces that had to fall into place. Decisions that had to be made. Blythe and I were not a coincidence. This was orchestrated out of my control.

When I heard the faint sound of the shower, I dug through my backpack and pulled out the small square box. My stomach lurched as I ran my fingers over the smooth blue velvet. I was more nervous today than I was the day I became a father. But not as anxious as asking Blythe’s best friend, Rose, for her blessing.

Typically, one would ask the bride’s father, but Blythe had a unique situation. Her dad left when she was a baby, and her mom disowned her last year when she decided to pack up and move across the country. The number of times I had to help Blythe realize she was thirty years old and could make a damn decision for herself…

Four months ago, on a random Thursday morning, I had to pick up the phone and call Rose. We’ve talked plenty of times before; hell, she stayed at my house for a week and a half over the summer, but having to call and ask for her blessing to marry her best friend was terrifying.

“Charles, to whom do I owe this pleasure?” Rose’s voice echoed through the phone.

“Do you have a minute to talk?” I wiped my sweaty palms on my shorts.

“Yeah, of course. What’s up? Is Bee okay?” There was a slight bit of panic in her voice. That’s understandable because the last time I randomly called her, I was setting up a surprise for her to be at the Sea Reads and Coastal Cup grand opening.

“Blythe is fine.” I drummed my fingers on my knee. “She doesn’t know we’re having this conversation.”

“Oh? Then what the fuck?” Rose cursed like a sailor, which meant we got along brilliantly.

“I was just callin’ to talk with you about something…” I was losing my nerve. “You know I love Blythe, right?”

“Mhm…” Rose trailed off, signaling for me to continue.

“I was hoping…um…well…” I struggled to find the right words.

“Spit it out, big boy.”

I snorted in response, “I want to marry Blythe.”

The squeal that statement elicited from Rose could’ve been heard on the moon. “You’re kidding me! Charlie Hannigan, are you asking for my blessing to marry Bee?”

“I am.” My stomach churned with anxiety. If she said no, this was it.

“It’s about damn time! There’s no one else I would willingly hand her off to. When are you going to ask her?”

A wave of relief washed over me—the first hard thing was done. “This was the first thing on my to-do list. I figured the rest of the plan was pretty pointless if I didn’t get the green light.”

Rose sniffled, “I’m honored you would ask for my blessing. Do you need any help with planning?”

“Maybe? I was thinking about a Christmas engagement but wasn’t sure if that was too cliché.”

“Super cliché, but Blythe would eat it up. The holidays hold a special place in her heart. Making more memories during the Christmas season would just be icing on the cake for her.”

“I was thinking of planning a trip for just the two of us. Maybe go to a nice dinner and propose.”

“Perfect. Do you have a ring in mind?”

“That’s what I need your help with. I don’t want to get her something that she might hate.”

“For starters, she would never hate what you picked. Google rose gold cushion cut engagement ring.”

“Were you just speaking English?”

“You have so much to learn. I can text you some pictures of the style she likes.”

“You’d do that?”

“You’re one of the best things that’s ever happened to Blythe. The least I could do is help you with this monumental task.”

“Send everything over. This has got to be perfect.”

“It’s got to be perfect,” replayed repeatedly as I sat here and played with the box in my hand. It might be small, but this is the heaviest box I’ve ever held. I looked at the sparkling ring and imagined it on Blythe’s hand. Rose said she would love it, but what if she didn’t? I can’t return it if she hates it.

I heard the shower water turn off and carefully placed the ring box in my suit pocket.

“Time check?” Blythe yelled through the bathroom door.

“You have forty minutes until we have to leave.”

“Kay!”

Even though these nerves are no joke, asking Blythe to marry me is the biggest honor. She saved me. When I was in the worst headspace, she frolicked her way into my life and healed parts of me I didn’t know needed healing.

I knew she was something special when I laid eyes on her for the first time. Last year, when she got a flat tire and was stuck on the side of the road in a storm, she reaffirmed that. All she wanted to do was dance in the rain. I could tell she was starting to relax at that moment, and the real Blythe came out.

In a desperate attempt to distract myself, I started scrolling on my phone when a text from Rose came in.

Rose: You good?

Charlie: Yeah.

Rose: Nervous?

Charlie: I could easily throw up right now.

Rose: That’s what I like to hear! Nerves mean you care. Is everything ready to go?

Charlie: I think so.

Rose: Good! I know what Bee is wearing and you’re in for a real treat.

Charlie: I can’t wait for this to be over.

Rose: Soon enough! Video call as soon as it’s done.

I gulped down the lump in my throat when I checked the time. “Bee, five minutes.”

“I’ll be done!”

“How much longer? I don’t want us to be late for our reservation.”

She popped her head out of the bathroom door. Her hair was curled and her makeup was mostly done. “Like two minutes tops.”

I slid my feet into my uncomfortable ass dress shoes. The less time I had to be in this uncomfortable get-up, the better.

“Bee, we’ve got to go.”

Blythe stepped out of the bathroom in the most incredible dress I’ve ever seen.

Fuck, she’s going to kill me in a wedding dress.