Not So Charming: A Hate to Lovers Romance (Carlisle Cellars Book 1)

by Fabiola Francisco

  With my bag and the papers in hand, I head out to a private bench outside to eat my sandwich and see what this is all about.

  Flipping the page, I see a drawing of a boy with red hair and a girl with dark, curly hair. I shake my head and read what it says, flipping through each page and drawing. The writing is big and blocky, and my guess is that Charlie wrote this between the handwriting and the minor spelling errors. And I have a feeling who drafted it first.

  Once upon a time there was a prince who was very sad. He felt lost and unsure of what to do with his life.

  Then, he saw a beautiful girl he liked alot. He knew her when he was little but was stupid (bad word)—I laugh at Charlie’s opinion of Mile’s word choice and keep reading—and never got a chance to defend her and spend time with her.

  But when he was older he got a chance to show her he’s a good guy. They became boyfriend and girlfriend.

  One day the boy said some very, very, very mean things to the girl, and she got mad and hurt. He said them because he was angry and reacted poorly. He didn’t mean them, though.

  He spent days sad, wanting to talk to her, but she was understandbly ignoring him. The girl missed him, too. I chuckle at that. Cocky jerk. And she decided to forgive him because he was very, very, very sorry and liked him alot too.

  The girl talked to the boy and they were happy again. And they kisd.

  Each page has a drawing, the last one of the boy and girl kissing, wearing crowns. I shake my head, wiping my eyes. It’s not the best story I’ve read, but it’s definitely the most meaningful one. I turn it over and notice writing in an elegant script. My eyes skim the words, more tears clouding my vision.

  Junebug, I’m so very sorry for being a jerk. An asshole is more like it. I know you’re not with me because of revenge for the past. I know how hard you’ve been working to let that shit all go and find your place in this town. I hope that place is still by my side. I miss you like crazy, not just your body, but your brains and your heart and your laughter and I need you in my life. (Don’t judge the run-on sentences, my bookworm). I’m sorry. Do book boyfriends also make mistakes? If so, are they forgiven?

  Miss you,

  Miles

  A few tears roll down my cheeks, and I wipe them away quickly before they streak my skin. I take deep breaths to calm myself. I don’t want my face to be blotchy when I return from my lunch break. My half-eaten sandwich sits on the aluminum wrapper on the bench beside me as I stare at the book again.

  The tapping of steps gets my attention, and I close my eyes to regain my composure. I look up in time to see Miles's sheepish expression.

  “Hey,” he says quietly.

  “Hi.”

  “Can I sit?”

  I nod, moving my lunch to my lap. We sit in silence for a few beats, each of us trying to gather the right words. Miles beats me to it.

  “I’m so sorry, Junebug.” He reaches for my free hand. “I was pissed about Kayla hurting you, and I took it out on you. I don’t believe anything I said.”

  “But if you said them, then they must be lodged somewhere in your mind.”

  He shakes his head quickly. “No. If you didn’t want to be with me, you wouldn’t waste your time. You’re not vindictive like others. You’re too kind for that. You’re good. All good.”

  “Miles…”

  “Let me finish.” I nod. “I’m not perfect, but I want to be with you. So bad, I’d give anything up to have you in my life.” I tilt my head and look at him. His eyes are sunken, his scruff is longer than usual, and his hair’s a total mess. His suit is disheveled as well.

  “Book boyfriends do make mistakes.” Miles's eyebrows dip, then smooth over with understanding.

  “Really?” His eyes twinkle with hope.

  “Yup, that’s kinda what makes them so perfect.”

  “Really?” Now his nose is scrunched, and his eyebrows are pulled together in confusion.

  “Yeah,” I nod. “Because they aren’t perfect. They’re flawed, like all of us are.” I tilt my head and smile.

  He lets out a relieved breath. “God, I missed you. I’m sorry.”

  “Stop apologizing. I’m not perfect either.”

  “Does that make you a book girlfriend?” His eyebrows waggle.

  I laugh loudly, covering my mouth to suppress it and not disturb customers inside. “I’ve never heard of the term.”

  “Well, you’re my book girlfriend and my real one.” He cups my face. “And you’re perfect for me. Did you like the book?” He motions his chin toward the papers on my lap.

  “I did, although you could use some story-telling lessons,” I wink.

  “Charlie wouldn’t let me write it. She made me write it on a paper so she could copy it, said you’d like it better that way.”

  I giggle. “I did like it. I liked your note in the back. I am working to move on. Kayla pushed my buttons, and hearing her say you should be with her gutted me because, at one point, I believed you were better off with someone like her.”

  “Not anymore?” He smiles.

  I shake my head. “I’m workin’ on it, ‘kay?”

  “‘Kay,” he nods and ghosts his lips over mine. “Is this okay?”

  I nod. “A quick one. We are at work.” I lean forward, pressing my lips to his in a fast and hard kiss. “Now, let me finish my lunch.”

  “Of course. You eat while we talk.” He stays beside me, making sure I’m really okay every few minutes until I glare at him, and he lifts his hand in surrender.

  “Let’s have dinner tonight. I’ll pick you up, and we’ll go wherever you want.”

  I nod, hoping we don’t have any more run-ins like the one with Kayla. Truth is that I want things with Miles to work out. Even if I don’t come from money or am one of the popular families that Willow Creek admires and fawns over. My mom and I are well-liked, and we respect everyone.

  After lunch, he makes sure I know that he’ll pick me up tonight for dinner.

  “Yeah, yeah, you’ve already told me. Seven sharp.” I smirk as I mock him.

  “Good girl.” He kisses my cheek.

  Before we walk back inside, he squeezes my fingers and gives me a full smile. His eyes speak volumes, softening as they skim over my face.

  My heart pitter-patters, emotions swirling in my belly. Maybe this once, I can believe I’m the princess and Miles is my prince instead of the servant watching her prince marry someone else.

  After dinner, Miles and I walk down Main Street, looking through the big glass window displays for different stores. I pause every so often to look at home decor, clothing on mannequins, and shoes. He’s patient as he holds my hand, asking questions and making comments on things he likes.

  We’ve been mostly quiet tonight, taking in the evening from our own observations. If Miles feels like I do, he’s working through our fight and how to move forward. Despite this, it hasn’t been tension-filled. Being with him is comforting.

  When we reach The Book Nook, I sigh and look through the glass windows, checking if there are any new titles through the dim coming from the street lamp.

  “Mrs. Collins is closing soon,” I comment without looking at Miles.

  “Really?” I turn when I hear the surprise in his voice.

  “Yeah. She told me she’s going to retire soon. It’s not worth keeping it open and paying someone to manage it when so many people are shopping online, especially for books. It feels wrong, though, that there won’t be a bookstore in town.” I shake my head, looking at the lines of books. I make a mental note to come in this week and buy some books, support local.

  “Wow, that is crazy. Charlie and Chloe like coming in here.” I nod, remembering I saw him with them once upon a time and freaked he was a father.

  I laugh to myself, unable to hold it in.

  “What’s so funny?” He squeezes my hand, eyebrows pulled together.

  “It’s nothing.” I shake my head, embarrassment heating my cheeks.

  “Nah, tell me.” H
e turns me around, so I’m facing him, my back to the window.

  “The first time I saw you here with your nieces, I thought they were your daughters for a second. I was so angry you’d ask me out when you had a wife and kids at home. I thought you were despicable.” I meet his eyes, but my teeth worry my bottom lip.

  Miles grins and shakes his head. “I can assure you I don’t have a wife and kids at home.” His right hand squeezes my hip. “If I did, I wouldn’t be asking women out. When I become a husband and a father, I’ll cherish that.” His eyes bore into mine, and I blink away uncomfortably.

  Miles sighs. “Junebug, when I’m with someone, I’m with her. I’m not about playing games and running around.” He holds my chin and moves my head so that I’m looking at him.

  “I love my nieces, and I’ll do anything for them. But if they were my daughters, there’s no way in hell I’d do anything to jeopardize that. I’m with you, I pursued you because I wanted to, and I’m not looking elsewhere.” His eyes widen with meaning.

  “I know that now.” I run my hands up and down his arms, feeling his muscles flex and relax under my touch. “But back then, I still thought you were screwing with me.”

  “Never,” his lips ghost over mine. I nod against him, pressing my chest to his and inhaling his woodsy, and no doubt, expensive cologne.

  “Come on, let’s go.” His eyes are darker, and my breath catches.

  I follow Miles, convinced I’ll follow wherever he guides. When he opens the car door for me, and I slide in, he leans down and gives me a kiss that promises a lot more when we’re alone.

  I want to wrap my arms around him and hold him in place until I get my fill, but this isn’t the place to get lost in him. Someone else might use the moment to show off how she has Miles Carlisle, but Miles isn’t a societal prize. He’s a man I like a lot, a man I can’t stop thinking about. He isn’t arm candy to use to make others envious. He’s a kindhearted man who has broken down my walls.

  Chapter 24

  Miles

  I hang up with Madison after checking in with her. Although she answered this time and insists that she’s fine, I’m still not fully convinced, but I dropped the interrogation since it was getting me nowhere. When Madison wants to talk to me, she will.

  The door to my office swings open, and Charlie and Chloe come in.

  “We’re here!” They draw out their announcement. Their hands are lifted in the air as they wear huge smiles.

  I laugh and walk around my desk, bending down and opening my arms. When they run in for a hug, I hold them both, kissing the tops of their heads.

  “I need to finish some work, and then we’ll go for ice cream.”

  “Yay!” They cheer and dance around. I promised them I’d take them out for ice cream as a thank you for helping me with the book idea for June, so Brett picked them up from camp and brought them to the winery.

  “Is June gonna go, too? We wanna see her,” Charlie pouts. “I wanna ask her if she liked the book.”

  I shake my head with a smile. “I don’t know. I didn’t ask her. I thought it’d be just us three.”

  “Tell ‘er to come, too,” Chloe yells.

  “Shhh…” I laugh. “I’ll ask her.”

  “Now. Come on.” Charlie holds my hand, pulling my arm but not strong enough to move me. “Uncle Miles,” she whines, throwing her head back.

  “Fine.” I shake my head and walk out of my office with my two accomplices.

  We see June talking to a group of people, so I hold back the girls and wait for her to finish. When she notices us across the room, she smiles warmly and continues talking to the customers, serving them samples of wine. I watch her work, a rare opportunity for me even if I am her boss, and smile as she answers questions and teaches them about the wines with pride.

  I lose myself watching her—her shy smile, the way she holds the bottle so the customers can read the label, her quiet laughter as she nods. This woman, I could stare at her all day. I’m falling for her.

  “Come on,” Charlie tugs my arm, breaking up my daydream. “She’s done.” Charlie looks up at me with big, wide eyes. I nod and walk toward June, who smiles and greets the girls.

  “Hey,” she smiles at them, then at me with raised eyebrows.

  “Hi!” Charlie squeals.

  “Shhh…” I give her a meaningful look to remind her we are at work.

  “Sorry,” she whispers. “We’re goin’ for ice cream later. Uncle Miles is taking us since we helped him with the book. Did you like it? Chloe and I made the pictures, and I wrote the story Uncle Miles told me.” Her words race out of her, and her voice rises with excitement.

  “I loved it,” June bends to look at her in the eye and smiles. “Thank you.” She playfully runs her hand over Charlie’s hair. “You, too.” She looks at Chloe, who beams.

  “Will you come with us? To have ice cream?” Charlie blinks at June.

  “Uhh…” Her eyes meet mine, and I stand back, hands in my pockets as I casually wait for her reply. “I don’t… I can’t since I’m working, and I’d think you want to spend time alone with your uncle.”

  “No, we want you to come. We aren’t gonna go ’til Uncle Miles is done with work, so you can come, too.” Charlie claps her hands.

  “Pleeeeaaassseeee,” Chloe adds, laying it on thick.

  “Oh, boy.” June scratches her forehead and looks at me.

  “Come on, Junebug. Can’t say no to these two.” I look down at my nieces, for once thankful for their puppy dog eyes that are impossible to turn down.

  “Okay, if it’s all right with you,” she looks at me.

  “Of course. If it weren’t, we wouldn’t be here.”

  “Okay,” she nods.

  I want to grab her face and kiss her, but I control myself and wink. She rolls her eyes playfully and says, “I need to get back to work. I’ll see you girls later.”

  “Okay,” they nod happily.

  Charlie and Chloe ramble about spending time with June as we walk back to my office, how pretty she is, the ice cream they’re going to order with waffle cones and whipped cream. They’ll be a mess after they’re done with their ice cream, but it’ll be worth it. I’m especially looking forward to spending time with them and June together so she can get to know them better.

  When we’re sitting inside Cherry on Top after work, Charlie and Chloe ask June a ton of questions. Her eyes volley back and forth between them, answering without missing a beat.

  I smile as I sit back, eating my cookies ’n cream ice cream, attentive to their conversation.

  “I got a B on my reading test last week,” Charlie randomly tells June. I’ve learned that the flow of conversation between children doesn’t make sense and to just go with the changes in topic as they come.

  “That’s great! You see, you’re not bad at reading.” I look at June with a grateful smile. Her smile reflects the same happiness mine does. I want to taste those sweet lips.

  “Thanks. I’m still not very good, but I practice.” Charlie shrugs.

  “I’ve got an idea.” June sits taller, and I eye her curiously. “Let’s finish our ice cream, and we’ll go to my favorite place.”

  I grin and nod while the girls cheer. If June can share her love of reading with Charlie, it might help raise her self-esteem. Charlie gets some words mixed up, which is the main reason I let her write the story when she asked. She showed initiative, and anything I can do, even in a playful manner, will help.

  Once we’re done, I hold June’s hand, and Chloe grabs my other one. Charlie holds June’s, asking about where we’re going. She doesn’t give it away, and when she opens the door to The Book Nook, Charlie’s eyes light up, and then she frowns.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask her.

  “Nothing,” she shakes her head. I let her be and hope that the experience makes up for her doubts.

  June takes Charlie toward the kids’ section while I stay back with Chloe, looking at knick-knacks. Mrs. Collins smiles and t
ells us to let her know if we need help. She looks between June and me with happy eyes and a confident nod.

  “That book’s too hard,” Charlie says from across the bookstore.

  “Nah, you could read it. I’ll help you. This was my favorite when I was your age.” I listen intently, Charlie reading about a mouse. She struggles with some words, and June is there to guide her, teaching her pronunciation rules and pointing out sight words. I had no idea she knew this much about teaching reading.

  “No…not…notic.” Charlie groans. I have to hold back from reading to her, but I know that will only harm her in the long run. She needs to become independent in her learning, and as their favorite uncle, I can tend to baby them a bit.

  “No-tice,” June pronounces slowly. “That’s a hard word. The C and E together make an S sound.” She takes her time to teach Charlie, and something inside of me snaps as I witness the patient care she has for my niece.

  “Yeah,” Charlie nods on a sigh. “I just forget sometimes.”

  “It’s okay. That’s what learning is all about.”

  The more I witness June helping my niece, the more this feeling in my gut grows. That unnamed emotion that’s been moving through me. I tilt my head and watch her hair fall from behind her ear. I take in the way she giggles with Charlie.

  I’m an idiot. That feeling isn’t unknown. I want this woman in my life forever. I care about her, falling hard for every piece of her.

  “Uncle Miles,” Chloe’s small voice interrupts my thoughts.

  “Yeah, sweetie?” I look at her. “Can I get dis?” She holds up a coloring book. They’re her favorite.

  “Of course,” I nod. “Want me to read you a book while we wait?”

  “Yesss,” she hisses.

  We settle on a seat, and I read her a book about a caterpillar. Chloe laughs and points out her favorite foods that the caterpillar eats, saying that’s for humans, not animals. I chuckle and kiss her head as I continue reading. By the time we’re done, Charlie and June are finishing up as well.