The Best Laid Plans (Chicago Sisters Book 2)

by Amy Vastine

  Mandy agreed to drop them off at the train station on her way out, but as they approached her minivan, Candice’s BMW came to a screeching halt in front of the house. She rolled down the window.

  “Charlie and Becca, get in here. Now.”

  They didn’t waste a second thinking about it. They both jumped in and she took off before they had time to fasten their seat belts.

  Candice was clearly in the middle of an emotional meltdown. “He’s a cheater. He’s cheating. I saw the texts. He texts her about when they’re going to meet next. I think I’m going to throw up.”

  “Pull over,” Charlie demanded. She was in no shape to drive.

  He took over the driving responsibilities but had no idea where to go. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Can I go home with you guys? I can’t stay with Mom and Dad right now. I don’t want everyone else to know. Not yet.”

  To Charlie’s it was.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  EMMA HAD SORT of hoped her double date would be a disaster. If the date was a total flop, it would be her sign that Charlie was the one for her. Even though Lucy had told her to stop looking for them, a sign would be nice.

  Of course, all the signs—if that was what they were—pointed right back to the plan. Scott was charming and attentive. He picked her up in his cherry-red Audi, a graduation gift from his well-to-do parents, and wasn’t too proud to admit that Chicago traffic was more than a little intimidating. He was polite to everyone, from the valet to the waiter. He remembered that Emma had said her sister designed the interior of Sato’s, and had nothing but nice things to say about it. He and Ian hit it off, learning they had a mutual love of baseball.

  “We’ll have to get you to a Cubs game this summer,” Ian said. “A buddy of mine has some great season tickets.”

  “That would be awesome. Are you a Cubs fan?” he asked Emma. Always the gentleman, he had made an effort to include her in every conversation.

  “I’m a born-and-raised North Sider, it would be against the law not to be a Cubs fan.”

  “I see,” he said with a laugh. “I need someone to teach me the rules around here. In Minnesota we only have one of everything. No one’s loyalties are divided.”

  “Don’t admit to being a Vikings fan around these parts. That’s almost as bad as being a Packer fan,” Ian teased.

  They all laughed except Emma. This was her dream come true. A great guy who got along with her friends and was interested in what she thought. Scott was the total package. Then why was she sitting at dinner with him wondering what Charlie was doing? Why did she keep checking her phone to see if he had sent her a text?

  The food arrived and everyone raved about how good it was. Max strode over to their table with a pasted-on smile. He was not happy with Emma for asking him to host this little gathering behind Charlie’s back, but he put on a good act in front of her friends.

  “How is everyone doing tonight?”

  “Everything is fantastic,” Scott said, extending his hand. “I’m Scott Spencer, by the way. I’ve heard a lot about you and your fiancée.”

  “Have you?” Max questioned, giving her a look that didn’t sit well.

  She felt obligated to introduce everyone. “Scott, this is Max. Max this is Scott, Ian and Tessa.”

  Max spent a few minutes chatting with their table. Emma could tell he was trying as desperately as she was to find a flaw in Dr. Spencer but was having the same problem. He was flawless.

  “This place is fantastic. Everything has been superb,” Ian said.

  Tessa agreed. “We’re thankful Emma has an in here. We definitely want to come back.”

  “Well, I’m glad the experience has been positive. Save some room for dessert because it’s on me,” Max offered up with a toothy smile. He pointed at Emma. “But would you all mind if I stole my future sister-in-law away for one second?”

  Emma braced herself for his wrath. He may have appeared cool, calm and collected, but she knew something else was brewing. Max was nothing if not loyal to those he cared about and Charlie was his best friend. She ruefully followed him all the way back to his office.

  “You know, Charlie thinks you’re interested in him and not that guy,” he said, pointing at his closed office door once they were safely inside.

  “I’m not interested in Scott,” Emma insisted. “I’m having dinner with friends.”

  Max sat on the edge of his desk. “Does that guy know that? Because I’m pretty sure he thinks he’s on a date.”

  “Everything is kind of messed up.” If she hadn’t listened to Lucy, she’d be following her plan and everything would be right with the world. Emma would have said goodbye to Charlie and this perfect first date would have been her sign that she’d made the right choice. Instead, she had listened to her heart. Now she couldn’t imagine walking away from Charlie. There would always be this big what-if.

  “You can say that again. I don’t like being asked to lie to my friends.” He held up a hand to keep Emma from interrupting. “And lies of omission count.”

  Panic set in. She didn’t want Charlie to find out she was on a date. She had promised him no more games, yet here she was, playing the biggest one of all. “I don’t want you to lie, I just don’t want you to offer up information unsolicited. If for some reason Charlie asks you if I had dinner with some of the doctors from the hospital, feel free to say yes. He won’t ask, though. So don’t tell.”

  “The fact that you don’t want him to know tells me Charlie means something to you.”

  “Of course Charlie means something to me.” He meant the world to her. Hurting him was the last thing she wanted to do. Not that she wanted to hurt Scott, but given the choice, it was Charlie’s heart she wanted to protect. “What does it mean when I’m on this amazing date with this fantastic guy and all I can do is think about someone else the whole time?”

  That made Max relax. “It means you’re on an amazing date with the wrong fantastic guy.”

  “I think I’m falling for Charlie, but it scares me to death.”

  “Been there,” Max said with a laugh. “As scary as letting your sister in was, choosing her was the best decision I ever made.”

  “She wasn’t your plan.”

  “The best things never are.”

  Was that possible? She’d never tested the theory. As Lucy said, she’d always given up without a fight.

  Max let her get back to her “dinner with friends.” After they finished their meal, the waiter brought over the dessert menu.

  “I think I’m in love with Max. Dessert on the house means it has no calories, right?” Tessa asked with a devilish grin.

  “Absolutely,” Emma agreed. “But don’t get any ideas. He’ll be my brother-in-law in less than a week.” It was crazy to think the wedding was that close. It seemed like yesterday when she was here with her sisters, watching the proposal.

  “Fourth of July wedding means a free fireworks show at the reception,” Tessa said. “You should bring Scott to this shindig. I bet he’s never seen fireworks like the ones here.”

  If looks could kill, Emma’s redheaded friend would certainly be a goner. Tessa, like any reasonable person, assumed she wanted Scott to be her date. It had been Emma’s goal since he’d arrived in town. Everything about her old plan was falling neatly into place. So why wasn’t her heart bursting with joy?

  “It’s such late notice,” Emma tried.

  Scott’s cheeks were red. “I’m scheduled to work that night. Sorry.”

  “No, it’s fine,” Emma said, perhaps a bit too eagerly. “I mean, that stinks.”

  Tessa would not be deterred. “I can check out the schedule. Maybe move things around for you.”

  “That’s really nice of you, Tess.” Ian covered her hand with his. She smiled back at him, looking t
oo pleased with herself. Emma was steaming. How dare Tessa use Emma’s love life to make herself look good for Ian?

  “I hadn’t planned on bringing anyone because I may not make the best date that night. The last thing I want to do is convince you to come to something and then have you feel like I ignored you the whole time.” It was the best argument against Scott coming to this wedding that didn’t involve flat out telling him she wasn’t interested in him that way.

  “Any of your time would still be better than none,” Scott replied. He was sweeter than all the desserts on the menu combined, but still not a single butterfly took flight in her stomach.

  She’d have to talk to Tessa about not changing the schedule as soon as she could get the woman alone. Once dinner was over, Emma wanted nothing more than to get out of there. She claimed to have a headache when Ian suggested they get some drinks at a place down the street. Even though she encouraged Scott to go with Tessa and Ian, he insisted on taking her home.

  “I had a great time tonight,” he said as he pulled to the curb in front of her place.

  “It was a fun night out with friends. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” She hoped he picked up on the intentional use of the word friends.

  Awkward silence ensued until Emma pushed open the door. “Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you at the hospital tomorrow.”

  “Wait.” He captured her wrist and let it go almost as quickly. “You look beautiful tonight. I don’t think I said that when I picked you up.”

  He was killing her with kindness. This would have been the moment she had dreamed about. He was hoping for a kiss good-night. Emma wanted to go inside and call Charlie. “Thank you.”

  She was out the door and up the steps of her building before he could say anything else. Once safely inside her apartment, she pressed her back against the door and pulled out her phone.

  Thinking of Charlies.

  It was a play on the one he had sent her last night. She waited for a response, but none came. So, she sent another.

  I lied. Only THE Charlie, of course.

  She waited for a reply, but again nothing came through.

  She kicked off her shoes and changed into her pajamas. She was so ready to put an end to this day, but all she could do was worry about her plan. Emma was never without a plan. Choosing Charlie meant she was driving without a map, letting her heart take her wherever it wanted to go.

  She picked up her phone. Still no reply from him. Her heart had a specific direction, at least. She typed out one last text.

  My Charlie.

  * * *

  THE HARSH MORNING light glowed through Emma’s curtains at an ungodly hour for a day off. She had forgotten to pull down the room-darkening shades in her mad dash for her bed last night.

  A quick check of her phone told her it was just after six. It also told her that Charlie hadn’t answered any of her texts last night. She closed her eyes and tried to drift back to sleep, but a sinking feeling came over her.

  Charlie had always responded to her texts right after she sent them. He never would have ignored what she wrote. Something was keeping him from his phone.

  What if something had happened to Pete? Charlie would have gone to the hospital and that would be good reason for not getting back to her. Emma popped out of bed. She had to go check.

  It was almost eight when she got to the hospital. She jogged to the elevator bay only to find Gianna standing there, waiting for a ride up with a bag and coffee in her hands.

  “Is Pete okay?”

  Gianna turned around. “I think so, why? Did you hear something?” She pushed the Up button again, suddenly much more anxious to get upstairs.

  “No, no, no,” Emma reassured her. “I haven’t heard from Charlie since Friday night and I started to worry that something happened. I didn’t mean to alarm you.”

  Gianna breathed a sigh of relief. “You scared me for a second. He’s been complaining about the food here, so I decided to bring some of my homemade doughnuts to him.” She held up the paper bag, sending the most delicious cinnamon smell wafting through the air.

  “So, Charlie’s not here?” Emma’s brain began processing new theories.

  “I haven’t seen him all weekend. I think he had a party to go to yesterday.” The elevator opened and Gianna stepped in. “Do you want to come up and see Pete, anyway? I have a doughnut with your name on it.”

  Emma didn’t want to be rude and her stomach grumbled. “Sure.”

  Pete was looking so much better than the last time she had checked in on him. His color was good. His black eye had faded to more of a mustardy-yellow color. He was happy to see Emma and Gianna, even more excited to see her doughnuts.

  “No one makes better zeppole than my Gianna,” he said, reaching into the bag with his one good arm.

  Gianna offered one to Emma. Zeppole looked like little powdered doughnut holes, but they tasted like heaven. Crisp and sugary on the outside and fluffy and light on the inside. They were the best doughnuts Emma had ever had in her life. Gianna needed to open her own restaurant so Emma could eat her cooking every day.

  “No chocolate sauce for dipping?” Pete asked, looking a bit dismayed when Gianna said no.

  “I’m already breaking the rules. All I need is for you to get chocolate drizzle on your hospital gown so I get busted by the nurses.”

  “I think you could bribe your way out of trouble if you handed out these things,” Emma said with a mouthful of goodness.

  “Emma was looking for Charlie.”

  Pete seemed pleased with this information. “You should go find him. He definitely wants to be found by you.”

  Gianna snickered and shook her head at his poor attempt at being subtle. “What he means is, we haven’t seen him but he will be happy to see you. Charlie talks about you all the time.”

  “He does?”

  “Honey, the only person who talked about me as much as Charlie talks about you was this guy,” she said, pointing at Pete.

  “He’s a good guy, that Charlie,” Pete added.

  “He is one of the best,” Emma agreed. “You guys don’t have to convince me.”

  “Good,” Gianna said. “Because a guy who lights up just talking about the first time you smiled at him is a keeper in my book.”

  The thought of Charlie telling Gianna something like that made Emma’s heart skip a beat. Maybe all the signs were pointing in Charlie’s direction. She just didn’t know where to find him at the moment.

  * * *

  THE OBVIOUS PLACE to look was his condo. So, when Emma left the hospital, that’s where she headed. She didn’t know what she was going to say when she found him, she just knew she needed to see him.

  She pressed the button next to his name outside the building, giving him a minute to answer the bell. For all she knew, he could be sleeping. That could have been why he hadn’t answered her texts.

  When he didn’t buzz her in, she decided to ring Max. He could get her in the building and then she could knock on Charlie’s door. Maybe he’d hear that better than the buzzer.

  Max let her in with a “Go get ʼem, Tiger.” Emma climbed the stairs two at a time until she reached the second landing and Charlie’s door. She knocked politely three times and waited. That uneasy feeling was back. Gianna thought he’d had a party to go to yesterday. He hadn’t mentioned going to a party when they talked last.

  She knocked a little more aggressively. Hopefully he had made it home from his party in one piece. He didn’t have a car, so he wouldn’t have gotten himself in an accident. She knocked again—louder, harder. Until the door opened.

  “Can I help you?” A pretty blonde with just-rolled-out-of-bed hair and nothing but an oversize T-shirt on did not look as if she wanted to help anyone, Emma in particular.

  The fear she had bee
n feeling was quickly replaced by a completely different kind of dread. The woman had obviously gone to bed with all her makeup on. The remnants of her party face were quite smeared.

  “I said, ‘Can I help you?’ If you’re selling something, we aren’t interested.” The woman began to shut the door.

  “Is Charlie home?” Emma squeaked out.

  The woman didn’t seem sure. She glanced back over her shoulder and scanned the condo. “I don’t think so.” She rubbed her eyes, apparently still tired from her evening at Charlie’s. “I woke up alone in the bed. Do you want me to tell him someone is looking for him?”

  Shock turned to rage faster than Emma expected. “No, please don’t tell him anyone is looking for him.”

  She bolted down the stairs and out the building. This was what happened when she flew blind without a plan; she crashed and burned. And she was definitely burning. Her entire chest felt as if it was on fire. It made it very difficult to breathe. Her eyes were burning with tears she did not want to cry. Her cheeks burned with the embarrassment of showing up at someone’s door and being greeted by his date from last night.

  So what if she had been on a date last night, too? She ended the evening with nothing but a handshake and a good-night. She hadn’t brought him inside. He hadn’t spent the night in her bed. Emma’s throat began to burn, too, as she fought back the tears.

  How could she have been so stupid? Charlie was nice to everyone. He treated everyone as though they were special. He could make you forget you weren’t the only other person in the world. As he had said once, when people made everything special, nothing was special.

  Emma was not special. She wasn’t someone he held in higher regard than anyone else.

  Her plans did not include a broken heart. Maybe she needed to give Scott a second chance. All she knew as she headed to Lucy’s apartment was that she was definitely not giving up on the plan.

  The plan was safe. The plan would see to it that she had a good and happy life. A life that after Kendall and Max’s wedding would no longer include Charlie Fletcher.