Free The Foretelling (Charlotte Bloom #1) by Amanda Richardson Page B

fuck out when we signed the contract for the venue?"
    "Yes. I was totally spooked. Not only did Sam propose, but now you were also getting married in June. Two out of three things were predicted correctly."
    "Oh, Charlotte, I wish you’d told me. You poor thing, having to go through that alone."
    I smiled.
    "I’m actually OK… but… I’m leaving. Harry and I are separating, and I don’t know what the future holds. It doesn’t look good though. I’m leaving tonight – I don’t know where yet – but I just have to get out of here. Everything came to a head today, and I’m just overwhelmed. I need time to regroup and think."
    "Oh my god, Charlotte. I’m so sorry." A single tear fell from her eye as she said this.
    "Stop! Please don’t cry! This is a good thing. We haven’t been happy for a very long time. I don’t know if Lainey was right or if I just realized it because of her, but it’s the truth. So Harry moved out temporarily today, and I’m leaving for Europe tonight. My suitcase is with valet."
    She nodded. I could tell she was trying to be happy for me, but because it was such a shock, she didn’t know what to say.
    "OK. Just please be safe. Email or call me when you get settled." She hugged me again. "Be happy. That’s all I want for you. And be safe."
    I cried as I hugged her back.
    "You too. Congratulations. Words can’t explain how happy I am for you. Have a wonderful rest of your wedding and honeymoon. You deserve it. I will update you when I can. Please, don’t think about me. I will be fine. I’m going to find my swims."
    She looked at me and smiled. I guessed she knew what I was trying to say. I didn’t have to explain Anna’s odd expression. I gave her one final hug and left, waving at Sam as I went.
    The rest of the walk to the valet passed in a blur. People called out to me, but I could only muster a small wave. I was exhausted, and I felt like I was floating. It was happening. I was actually heading to the airport. The day came into focus, and I felt some inexplicable pull, possibly from sheer insanity, pulling me forward. Anna had given me the idea, but I’d acted on it. I was proud of myself for being so brave.
    I picked up my suitcase, cast one more glance back at the wedding extravaganza, and walked out on to Fountain Avenue. It was nighttime now, and cars buzzed past me excitedly because it was Saturday night and people were going out. There were endless possibilities for how the night could go. I remembered that feeling from early on in college. I felt that feeling again, at that moment. Tomorrow I’d be in Europe if everything went my way tonight. My heart sped up at the notion that I was actually doing this.
    I watched as cars drove past me. I was thinking nothing, but feeling everything. I was sad about Harry, happy for Amara, and excited for what the immediate future held for me. I hauled my suitcase to a corner and plunked down on top of it. Here I was, in West Hollywood, pretty much stranded and alone, waiting for a taxi to the airport, heading to an unknown place. I saw a taxi round a corner and tried hailing it down. Five more passed before one stopped. None of them wanted to drive me "all the way to LAX". That was the problem with Los Angeles. It was so big and so spread out. The taxi drivers wanted to stay in West Hollywood, where it was busy, banking on the drunkenness of people who needed a ride home. Finally, an elderly taxi driver took pity on me and accepted the ride. In Los Angeles, you even had to work for your taxis.
    We drove down the 101 freeway to the 110 freeway, and I said a silent goodbye to the place that had been my home for the last eight years. I wasn’t leaving for good (I mean, I only had seven pairs of underwear) but, in my mind, I probably wouldn’t be returning as the same person. I was hoping to be transformed by the time I got back. I didn't quite know how yet, but Anna had inspired me, and I was going with it. I’d read about women who deal