Charlotte King stormed into Addison Montgomery's restroom, taking a break from the outdoor reception, where Miss Maya Bennett, now married to a man whose name Charlotte couldn't even remember were celebrating their first public outing as husband and wife. Hopefully this will be the only wedding for her, Charlotte muttered, wondering why she had even bothered responding to the perfunctory invitation sent out by Violet Turner, Charlotte's coworker at Oceanside Wellness and current roommate.
She reached for the nearest towel and scowled at the mess on her dress from Cooper Freedman's less than ladylike date – Jordana Sampson. Did he find her on the Internet too she wondered as she carefully unzipped her dress, stepping out as it fell to the floor. Looking in the mirror, she noticed that her cheeks were turning a shade of red. Damn the man, she muttered spitefully, regretting the fact that he was getting to her – that he was allowing him to get to her. He left you, she reminded herself, staring into the mirror. Not the other way around. Charlotte scowled as she scrubbed the dress, letting out all of her previous frustrations. She had changed her entire life to be with Cooper – something that she swore she would never do to another man ever again. She went all in, thinking he was all in as well – not knowing that it was only a matter of time before his true colors began to show. He can't handle strong women, she reminded herself; he resented my success in Pacific Wellcare, wasn't supportive enough when I lost my job, and did everything he could to keep me out of his practice at Oceanside Wellness. She let out a huge breath of air that sent her short bangs flying into the air. You're better off single.
Charlotte concentrated on eliminating the stain from the reception and didn't notice the door opening behind her.
"Lovely view," a male voice that was all too familiar commented behind her.
"COOPER!" Charlotte shouted, darting behind a bathroom stall, struggling to hide her half naked body. He had lost the privilege of seeing her in her natural state after he had unceremoniously dumped her in the office of the business that they shared.
"Nothing I haven't seen before," Cooper smirked, peeking over to get a better look.
"Get the hell out!" Charlotte hissed. "This is a woman's restroom." Peeking her head above the stall, she sent Cooper one of her most withering stares.
Cooper, the recipient of many stares in the past, ignored it and continued to walk toward her. "Don't be ashamed. You have a great body," he complimented.
"Oh, I am not the one who needs to be ashamed," Charlotte countered, as she searched for her dress, left crumpled on the floor after her hasty exit.
Cooper devilishly inched toward her, refusing to back down.
"Leave," she ordered. "I need to get dressed."
"Come out and make me," Cooper taunted.
Charlotte scoffed at Cooper's comment, refusing to give him what he wanted, yet not wanting to be held prisoner in the public restroom. "What are you doing here?" she asked tiredly.
"Jordana is on a business call, and I needed a break from the music outside."
"Hand me my dress," Charlotte ordered tersely.
Cooper slowly bent down to pick up the floral number from the floor. "This dress?" he asked, holding it above Charlotte's grasp.
"Cooper!" Charlotte hissed, trying to mask her fear.
"Come a little closer," Cooper beckoned, moving toward the window.
"Don't you dare!" Charlotte countered, ready to jump out and kill him.
Cooper stood there, smirking at her, refusing to back down.
Child, Charlotte thought to herself as she stormed out of the stall, half dressed and ready to fight. "What!" she demanded at the silence.
Cooper's eyes were on her. He hadn't forgotten her figure, remembering every moment of their last time together, not knowing that it would be their last.
"The dress!" Charlotte insisted, hands on her hips. She stalked toward him, closing the gap so that they were nearly nose to nose.
Cooper allowed the dress to drop to the floor as he lunged for Charlotte's mouth.
Charlotte's eyes closed instinctively as she felt Cooper's body against hers. Moving her right hand, she opened her eyes and angrily slapped him away. "No!" she said coldly as Cooper rubbed his cheek. "You do not get to come in here and…"
Charlotte couldn't finish her sentence as Cooper plundered her mouth once more. He grasped her hands so that she couldn't back away.
"Cooper," Charlotte moaned softly, gasping for air. She wanted to pull away, she wanted to run out of the room, but she couldn't, she was frozen.
Cooper kissed her once again, sensing her nerves; he was more gentle as he massaged her back. He would have backed off if she had told him to, but her body stayed with his. He lifted her in his arms, kissing the side of her neck. Her legs wrapped around his as she began to unbutton his shirt, savoring his fingers through her blonde hair. Closing her eyes, she was taken back to the past, nights together after a long day at work, where there wasn't a care in the world, where they could just be together without any complications.
"Charlotte." Cooper looked into her eyes as he unhooked her bra. Lowering himself to the ground, he buried his head in her body.
Charlotte said nothing, her mind telling her to run away –from the man that had caused her pain, had arisen past demons that she once thought were behind her. Her body was resisting as she closed her eyes once more. It was easier to stay than to leave.
-----
Charlotte opened her eyes, finding herself wrapped in Cooper's suit jacket. He was buttoning his shirt as Charlotte sat up and instinctively reached for her dress. Music could be heard from the window outside as Maya and Dink shared their first dance together.
"What are you going to tell her?" Charlotte asked as she slowly zipped her dress up.
"Who?" Cooper asked as he pulled his jacket over his body.
"Your little friend," Charlotte said snidely. "I am assuming that you are going back to her – that you aren't leaving her stranded."
"Is there something that I should tell her?" Cooper asked, narrowing his eyes at Charlotte.
"That's your choice," Charlotte quipped as she struggled to straighten her messy hair.
Cooper reached out and touched Charlotte's bare shoulder.
"Stop," she said softly. "You need to leave." She lowered her head, refusing to look him in the mirror, to see his face, starring into her back.
Cooper said nothing, turning her body toward his; he looked into her blue eyes, looking for answers, for an assurance that she wanted him, but he received nothing. "See you at work," he said quietly as he turned to go.
"See you at work," Charlotte softly as Cooper closed the door. The bell rang again, and Charlotte was once again alone in the room. Taking one last look in the mirror, she let out a heavy sigh. "One night," she said softly, as she slowly opened the door and walked down the hall to the reception.
