CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FOUR – COMPETING FOR ATTENTION

Tony grunted, setting down a crate of bottles. "That posh boyfriend of yours still gadding about with the glamorous visitor?" Charlotte's head snapped up. "What? How did you know about that?" Tony shrugged. "Small village. People talk. Especially when they see the young lord parading around town with a woman who isn't his girlfriend." Charlotte felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. "They're just friends," she mumbled, not sounding convinced even to her own ears. Tony fixed her with a stern look. "Listen, girl. I'm not one for meddling in others' affairs, but you deserve better than to be treated like an afterthought. Stand up for yourself, or you'll always be second best." With that, he lumbered back to the kitchen, leaving Charlotte to ponder his words. That evening, Charlotte's phone buzzed with a text from Richard: "Dinner tomorrow night? Just the two of us. I've missed you. x" Charlotte's heart fluttered as she typed her reply: "Sounds perfect. Can't wait. x" The next