Page 28 of Remember Me

Charlotte - I know, I’ll make more effort I promise

Wren - Good!! Don’t make me come down there!!

Charlotte - I wish you would

Wren - I’ll come back soon I promise

Charlotte - Love you

Wren - Love you more

The door opens and Bella comes skidding in, nearly diving headfirst into her water bowl as Jake walks through the door, shirtless with his T-shirt draped across the back of his neck. Holy hotness, look at those abs. He could easily pass for one of my book cover models. He clocks me staring, and I don’t have time to correct myself before he smirks at me, “See something you like?”

My cheeks heat and I look away quickly. Shit.

I’m saved from my embarrassment by a knock at the door. Jake pulls his shirt back on to answer, and in walks Kayla, Alyssa, and Hannah. Giving a quick goodbye, Jake leaves with his workout bag in hand.

Kayla rushes over and wraps me in a tight hug, if my ribs weren’t already broken, they probably would be now.

“Do not scare us like that again, ok? I know I saw you in the hospital, but still, you scared the bejesus out of me.”

I gaze up into her beautiful green eyes and her fire engine red hair she’s wearing today, and just take her in. This woman is stunning, and just looking at her makes me so jealous. I wish I was more like her; she gives zero fucks and is unapologetically herself. I can only aspire to be like that. Kayla also runs the most amazing organization—she’s an aesthetician specializing in tattooing for cancer survivors and sufferers of alopecia. It’s something very close to her heart, and she’s also extremely talented.

“Stop crowding her for fuck’s sake, she’s probably had enough of everyone coddling her.” Alyssa rolls her eyes.

She’s not wrong. Alyssa is an influencer for anything beauty-related, posting regular makeup tutorials on how to recreate famous celebrity looks. She’s really popular and has over a million subscribers on YouTube. Her own signature style is all dark hair, winged eyeliner, and red lipstick, and she never goes anywhere without her Doc Martens. I’d call it grunge chic, but she makes it look incredible.

Hannah goes straight to the kitchen to unload a variety of snacks she’s brought with her, and Bella is at her heels, tail whipping around for attention. Picking her up, Hannah nuzzles Bella.

“Hey, sweet girl, have you been looking after your mama?”

She coos at my little dog. Her response is a lick to the face, which makes Hannah laugh. “Thanks, Bella boo, you’re such a good girl, aren’t you?”

Bella is lapping up all the attention, and I can’t help but smile.

Kayla sidles up next to me on the sofa and I instinctively rest my head on her shoulder as she wraps an arm around me.

“I brought spa supplies with me. I thought we could have a mini spa day. Some pampering always makes you feel good.”

“That sounds wonderful,” I say to her, because it does. I need this time to relax and just let my brain be numb for a moment.

“Great! Girls, what treatments are we thinking? I’ve brought everything with me, so we can do mani-pedis, facials, the works.” Kayla looks at me for my choice.

“I’d love a mani-pedi if that’s ok? Just don’t be put off by my fuzzy leg.”

“Charlie, babe, you can have whatever you want. I can put some hair removal cream on your legs if you like? It’s what I’m here for. Now, let’s crack open some drinks and snacks then we can get started.”

Alyssa goes to help her mom bring in the drinks and snacks that she’s beautifully laid out. Bella’s now interested in the new toy Hannah brought over for her and is lying happily on her bed attacking it.

Kayla gets the foot spas set up first, so we can all soak our feet for a bit whilst she gets everything out needed for an afternoon of pampering. “So,” she starts, “have you had any memories come back yet?”

“Nope, nothing. I know it hasn’t been long, and I’ve had other things to focus on, but I just feel so guilty about it.”

“Babe, don’t be so hard on yourself. Like you said, you’ve got other stuff on your mind right now. They’ll come, I'm sure of it.”

“It’s such a weird feeling, you know? Jake knows things about me and, at some point, I would have known these things about him too, but now I just…don’t.”

It's a sobering thought and it makes me want to try harder to remember, but at the same time, hide away so I don’t disappoint him if I can’t.