Charming Like Us (Like Us, #7)

by Krista Ritchie

I grew up thinking the Cobalts walked on water. All three famous families are considered American royalty, but the Cobalts are the gods among the princes, and now that I protect them, I still think it.

I love them, but my friend getting hitched recently, especially to a Hale, has been a painful reminder that I’m…alone.

My life has always had structure. I’ve known how it’d start, where I’d go, and where I’d end up. That is, until Oscar… My life has never been more jumbled. Confusing. Messy.

To believe one thing for so long about myself and then have to reassess is not even close to easy.

“You do this thing, Jack, where you try to make everyone feel good. I don’t need that kind of emotional baby blanket.”

“I like you so fucking much that the idea of losing what we have makes me sick. I don’t want to shut the door on possibly the greatest opportunity of my life, and it’s right here—it’s you.”

“What do you have to lose?” “You!” I yell from my core, eyes stinging. “I could lose you!”

I don’t want him to be with anyone else. No one. Just me.

“Okay, promise me that whatever happens next, you won’t shut the window on me. Promise that it’s wide open and I’m on the other side with you—that it’s you and me and anyone who tries to come in, you’ll help me keep out?”

He frowns for a second. “Are you still my friend?”

MY POOR HEART

Charlie careens back to whisper to us, “Who is that?”

omg Charlie Cobalt asking about someone????????