You don't love somebody because they are perfect. You love them in spite of the fact that they're not.

Chapter Two: You don't know what's coming.

Charlotte's POV

I think I died and resurrected. But I wasn't really sure. My mind was all over the place. Had he just asked that? He'd just asked me if I missed him. Seriously. This fucker. What do I say?

Oh Danny, I missed you so much that I cried myself to sleep every night for two years wishing you'd come back.

Buh oh no, I wasn't about to say that. Wouldn't want him to get the wrong idea now, would we?

As I walked closer to him I said the first thing that came to my mind. "Um...."

I think he noticed my .....whatever it was he noticed because he smiled.

I was trying so hard not to slap that smile off his face. He had no right to smile. Not in this situation.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"Can't I come to visit my best friend?"

"Daniel, we both know you didn't fly all the way across the country to 'visit' me. So I ask again, what are you doing here?"

I know it was harsh but come on, he really didn't expect me to welcome him with open arms and a huge smile. Did he?

I knew it hurt him because he didn't answer me.

"Where's Abby?” I asked again. Abby Solace was his wife. At least she was when I knew her. But then she married Daniel and became Abby Miller.

"How have you been?" He avoided my question.

"Fine."

"Charlotte honey, give the guy some breathing space. He just flew over 2574 miles to come here. He needs food and rest. Later you can bombard him with questions. Come inside, Daniel." My mother said, putting us out of our misery. I forgot she was even there.

We all went inside and mom had already made breakfast so we all just ate. Dad was already at the table reading the daily news. As usual. I took my place at the table. Mom served and we ate. In silence. There was so much to say but few words. I looked up at Daniel and caught him staring at me. But when I met his gaze, he quickly looked away. I noticed he was avoiding my gaze. Why? I couldn't help but think something was wrong. I always knew when something was wrong with Daniel. He was too obvious. And why would he come back after eight years of going away without so much as a word? After eight years of no communication. I remember the morning they left. Just a letter. They left me a letter. No, scratch that. I didn't care about Abby. I never did. Daniel left me a letter telling me he was sorry he had to leave so soon and he had to go to college because he got accepted into BU. With Abby. That was the about the shitiest thing I'd ever read. I knew he got into BU, what I didn't know was that he was going with Abby.  And I am never going to forgive him for leaving without saying goodbye. Or anything for that matter.

Mom and Dad noticed the tension, obviously, anyone could've sense it from two miles away.

"Daniel, I heard you're now a doctor. A good one at that. How's everything going?" Dad said, looking at me. Though I didn't know why. I thought it was because he was expecting me to say something.

"Fine sir. Actually, that's the reason I'm in town. I have a Doctors' seminar that I was invited to. I'm staying for a month."

"Wow, Daniel honey you're getting invited to seminars, you must be really good at what you do". Mom added.

I snorted loudly. Good my ass. Dad's gaze flickered to mine for a moment and I shrugged.

"I guess so." He blushed. The fucker blushed. You don't know what's coming.

"So how're your parents. It's been a while since we saw them. I think they said something about going on vacation." Mom said.

"Yeah...they are in Hawaii. Decided to have a third honeymoon." Daniel replied. The Millers loved going on vacation but didn't always have the time. But now that Daniel was back in town and he was going to be in charge of the hospital, I say they've got all the time in the world.

"That's good." Dad always wanted to go on vacation but his health hasn't been doing him justice. I just hoped nothing bad happened to him.

"Honey, Your dad and I have decided to make Daniel the family doctor seeing as his parents are on vacation." Mom said to me, her eyes searching my face for an emotion.

"What?"

"Well when we heard that he's coming back and that he'd take over the family hospital, we and the Millers decided that it's the best thing to do. Besides he's only staying for a month and after that Mr Miller will continue treating your dad."

I looked at mom, bewildered. How could they make a decision as serious as this and not tell me about it? Dad avoided my gaze, so did Daniel.

When I did reply, mom continued, "Honey, I'm sorry we didn't tell you about it. We knew you'd object after -"

"It's fine. Whatever." I cut her off before she told everyone (and I mean Daniel) that I cried myself to sleep every night for two years after he left.

I stood up and went to my room. I shut the door behind me with a loud bang and collapsed on my bed, deep in thought. How could they do this?

It isn't fair.

It's not fair that he can just come back after eight years and act like nothing happened. And act like he didn't leave me.

I know that I purposely ignored all the calls and texts. But I was justified. I didn't want to talk to him because I knew I had to get over him. It didn't help that he married her four years ago. I completely lost it then. I didn't attend the wedding but my parents did. I spent a week listening to how epic and amazingly beautiful it was. I swear that I had a migraine for at least a month. But nevertheless I accepted it. There was nothing else I could have done. I moved on.

The knock on my door brought me back from my thoughts.

"Come in."

"Hey," I looked up and there he was.

Daniel.

Hot as ever. I can totally imagine those awesome abs under that -

"Char," He began, "I know you're mad."

"You're telling me." I muttered.

He ignored my comment and continued, "But we seriously have a lot to talk about."

We sure as hell do.

"Okay, talk." I said.