Chapter 16: Unspoken Tensions & Unfinished Conversations

The night air was thick with something unspoken—something heavy.

Charlie felt it.

Sloan felt it.

And Sicily?

She saw everything.

Sloan's footsteps were quick, determined, his gaze locked onto Charlie as she walked away.

"Charlie," he called, his voice sharper than intended.

She didn't stop.

His jaw tightened. He picked up his pace, about to reach her—

But another voice cut through the tension.

"Charlie, wait."

She froze.

Sloan did, too.

Because standing in front of them, blocking Sloan's path, was Mon.

Mon's usual easygoing expression was unreadable, his posture firm. His gaze flickered to Sloan for only a second before settling back on Charlie.

Sloan exhaled sharply, annoyance rolling off him in waves. Not now.

Mon ignored him. His attention stayed on Charlie.

"Can we talk?" Mon's voice was low but firm.

Charlie hesitated, glancing between them—Sloan, whose stare burned into her, and Mon, whose expression was unreadable.

The tension between the three of them? Palpable.

And then, from the corner of her eye—

She caught Sicily.

Standing near the bar, a drink in hand, but her grip on the glass was tight.

Her sharp gaze flickered between the three of them, lips pressed together in a knowing smirk.

She knew.

Charlie swallowed and turned back to Mon.

"…Yeah," she finally said, nodding. "We can talk."

Mon's shoulders eased slightly, his lips twitching into something like relief.

Sloan?

His jaw ticked.

Charlie turned without another glance at Sloan and followed Mon toward a quieter spot.

Sloan stood frozen. His fists clenched at his sides.

And then—

Sicily moved.

She stepped closer, her presence impossible to ignore.

"Sloan." Her voice was smooth, calculated.

He exhaled harshly, running a hand down his face. "Not now, Sicily."

She let out a short laugh. "Not now?" A slow sip of her drink. "So when? After you're done staring at her?"

His gaze snapped to hers. "I wasn't—"

Sicily arched a brow.

He sighed.

She smirked, swirling her drink lazily. "Tell me, Sloan…" She tilted her head. "Would you have chased after me like that?"

Silence.

And that was enough.

She stepped forward, lowering her voice. "I saw how you looked at her."

Sloan clenched his jaw.

"And more importantly…" Her gaze flickered to where Mon and Charlie stood, talking in the distance.

She leaned in.

"…so did he."

Sloan's eyes darted toward them.

And then—

Charlie laughed.

At something Mon said.

Not just a small smile.

A real, full laugh.

Sloan's chest tightened.

Sicily saw his reaction and smirked, whispering just loud enough for him to hear—

"See? You're not the only one who makes her smile."

And then, she walked away.

Leaving Sloan standing there, watching.

The Conversation That Should've Happened Sooner

Charlie leaned against the wooden railing near the beach, arms crossed as Mon shifted in front of her.

"So…?" She raised a brow. "What's up?"

Mon exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Just checking in on you."

Charlie frowned. "Checking in?"

Mon finally met her eyes.

"I've known you long enough to know when you're overthinking something." His voice was softer now.

Charlie's chest tightened.

Mon was oblivious about a lot of things.

But when it came to her?

He noticed.

She let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Mon gave her a flat look.

Charlie sighed. "Mon—"

"Is it Sloan?" Mon asked suddenly.

Charlie stilled.

Mon tilted his head. "You've been off since he got here."

Charlie scoffed. "I have not—"

Mon gave her another look.

She rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine." She waved her hands vaguely. "Maybe a little."

Mon crossed his arms. "Because of him?"

Charlie hesitated.

Mon's brows furrowed slightly. "Charlie…"

She swallowed. "It's just—"

"Mommy Chawie!"

Charlie and Mon both turned as George ran up to her, beaming.

Charlie immediately scooped him up. "Hey, buddy."

George grinned. "I danced with Amy!"

Charlie laughed. "You did?"

Mon smirked. "Bet you stole the whole dance floor, huh?"

George nodded proudly.

Then, he paused.

His little face scrunched up as he looked between Charlie and Mon.

"Are you guys talking about Mr. Sloan?"

Charlie and Mon both froze.

George tilted his head. "Because Mr. Sloan kept looking at Mommy Chawie all night!"

Charlie: "…."

Mon: "…."

Before either of them could respond, Amy appeared, casually grabbing George's shoulders.

She whispered loud enough for everyone to hear—

"Buddy, we gotta work on your timing."

George blinked up at her. "Huh?"

Amy smirked. "Never mind, sweetheart. Let's go get more ice cream."

George gasped. "ICE CREAM?!"

Amy took his hand. "Yup! But let's leave the grown-ups to their awkward feelings, okay?"

George shrugged. "Okay!"

Charlie buried her face in her hands.

Mon was dying trying not to laugh.

Amy shot Charlie a wink before disappearing with George.

Charlie groaned. "I hate her."

Mon chuckled. "She's got a point, though."

Charlie peeked at him through her fingers. "Which part?"

Mon smirked. "The 'awkward feelings' part."

Charlie sighed. "Mon—"

Before she could finish, cheering erupted from the other side of the resort.

Mon turned his head. "What's going on?"

Charlie, grateful for the distraction, quickly started walking toward the noise. "Let's go find out."

But Mon?

He stayed back for a second, watching her go.

Sicily wasn't the only one who had noticed something tonight.

As Charlie and Mon made their way back toward the event—

Sloan was already there.

Waiting.

His gaze locked onto Charlie.

She saw him.

He saw her.

And for a moment—everything else faded.

Sicily, standing beside Sloan, saw the way his eyes softened.

And this time?

Her fingers curled into a fist.

Because for the first time tonight—

Sicily realized she wasn't just watching a moment.

She was losing something.

And she hated it.