by Karen Booth
“You look gorgeous, Charlotte.” Sawyer’s vision narrowed as he appraised her. “Did you do something different with your hair?”
Charlotte smiled sweetly. Sawyer was as sharp and observant as a person could be, but she’d managed to dodge any pregnancy suspicion. “That’s nice of you to notice. I curled it a bit. No big deal.”
Sawyer nodded toward the speakeasy entrance. “Michael Kelly’s here.”
Charlotte was immediately hit with a flash of excitement she wanted to banish from her body. She turned and got her wish. The vision before her zapped whatever stupid part of her brain had decided there was reason her heart should flutter when she heard Michael’s name. He’d followed through on his promise to bring a date.
He spotted them and waved, and the pair approached. Michael’s companion, she of zero body fat, had a flawless complexion, full red lips, legs that went on forever and jet-black hair so glossy even Charlotte wanted to skim her hands down it.
“Good evening, Locke family.” Michael shook hands with Sawyer and Noah, but Charlotte received only a polite nod. It was her fault for having been so adamant about no more kissing—she’d failed to be specific that an affectionate peck on the cheek in the presence of a supermodel would be perfectly acceptable. “I’d like you all to meet Louise.” He presented his prize while finishing the introductions.
Charlotte had no choice but to shake the hand of the woman whose butt was in no way acquainted with gravity. “Gorgeous dress.”
“Oh, thank you.” A perfunctory smile crossed Louise’s luscious lips. She was probably tired of fielding compliments all day.
Charlotte berated herself for being generous, especially when she caught the arrogant smirk that crossed Michael’s lips. He was so handsome in a tux it made her dizzy—his shoulders were impossibly straight from swimming seven zillion miles over his lifetime, and the black jacket only accentuated the sharp line. He’d worn a traditional tie rather than a bow tie, which made his normally imposing height that much more evident. His hair was perfect, walking that sexy line between impeccably groomed and disheveled.
A waiter came by with a tray of champagne. Michael took two flutes, handing one to Louise. Why that one perfectly appropriate and polite gesture made Charlotte so mad, she had no idea. “No, thank you,” Charlotte said to the waiter. She made a mental note to drink an entire bottle of champagne by herself once the baby had arrived and she was no longer breastfeeding. “I’ll get something from the bar.”
Noah declined as well. “Sawyer and I had better head downstairs to the grand ballroom.”
The nervousness returned to Sawyer’s face.
Charlotte found it adorable to see her normally unflappable brother so worked up over his wedding day. “Oh, right. You don’t want to be late.” She kissed him on the cheek. “It’s going to be amazing. You’ll do great. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too,” Sawyer said, returning her affection. He and Noah disappeared into the growing crowd in the bar.
Charlotte was now alone with the man who had no earthly idea she was pregnant with his child and the freakishly beautiful woman he would probably end up taking up to his apartment, down the hall from hers, in a few short hours. She should probably sleep with her earplugs tonight.
“Big day for your brother,” Michael said.
“Yes,” Charlotte replied. She would’ve said something to continue the conversation, but everything running through her head right now was appallingly impolite. So, Louise, what’s it like living on cucumber slices and ice water?
“You have the most stunning skin,” Louise said, shocking the hell out of Charlotte. “It’s like you’re glowing.”
While putting on her makeup, Charlotte had worried that the pregnancy made her face look more like a moon. Louise’s kindness was appreciated, even if it had come out of nowhere. “Thank you.”
Louise tugged on Michael’s sleeve. “Do you see the way she glows?”
He cast his eyes to Charlotte and their gazes connected like there was nowhere else for either of them to stare. “She’s gorgeous. She’s always been gorgeous.”
Charlotte’s heart returned to hyper fluttering. Her breath couldn’t find its way out of her throat. She both loved and hated these moments with Michael, especially since they’d become neighbors. Would she ever be able to shrug them off? She couldn’t even bear to answer the question. Anything having to do with the future and Michael was a crap shoot at best.
Louise smiled at Charlotte as she took Michael’s hand and rested her head against his shoulder. He looked...well, it was hard to put into words. Uncomfortable, but it wasn’t like he was protesting. His hand was curled in at her waist and Charlotte couldn’t stop studying his long fingers. Nor could she ignore the fact that if she could have anything at that moment, it would be Michael’s hand on her. Charlotte’s breaths came faster and she was overcome with a deep desire to take a hunk of Louise’s shiny locks in her hand and give a non-gentle pull. Stop it. He’s not right for you. Michael wasn’t hers to fight for, and this was her brother’s wedding—she needed to behave herself. That meant the two minutes she’d already endured with these two was enough.
“I’m so sorry, but you’ll need to excuse me. I’m going to get something from the bar.” She didn’t wait for a response before she scurried off. “Club soda with lime, please,” she blurted to the bartender. She wondered if it would be weird to strike up a long conversation with him, just so she could tell Michael she was busy if he happened to approach her.
“Gladly, Ms. Locke.” He was very efficient, almost too quick. He had her drink to her in no time flat.
“Thank you.” She tucked some cash into the tip glass, then turned and nearly ran into the man behind her. “Oh, my gosh. I’m so sorry.”
He cocked his head to the side. “You’re Charlotte Locke, aren’t you?” He was fairly good-looking, with dark hair, bright white teeth and kind blue-gray eyes.
She nodded. “Guilty as charged.”
He held out his hand, but when she offered hers, he raised it to his lips. “Very nice to meet you. Gabe Underwood. I’m in real estate, too.”
For a moment, Charlotte hardly knew what to say. A colleague. Someone had recognized her in the context of her profession, not just because she came from the well-known family who owned the hotel. “It’s so nice to meet you, too. Are you a friend of Sawyer’s?”
“I’ve done one project with your brothers. I’m hoping we can do more in the future. I really enjoy working with them.”
“Oh, nice. I’ll be sure to tell them that we met.”
“I heard you snatched away half of the condo listings in the hotel from Michael Kelly. You have no idea how happy I was to hear that.”
Charlotte was a little surprised she was the subject of industry gossip. It was deliciously exciting. “The family connection didn’t hurt.”
Gabe shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you left a chink in Michael Kelly’s armor.”
Charlotte glanced over at Michael. He made eye contact with her, then slowly shook his head and mouthed the word no. As to what that meant, Charlotte didn’t know, but she could guess that he didn’t like her talking to Gabe. She hooked her arm in his. “Were you going to get a drink?”
“Yes. Can I get you anything?”
Charlotte tossed back her head and laughed. She was mad at herself for wanting to make Michael jealous, but she couldn’t help it. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”
Gabe got his drink and was back at her side in a flash. He was nothing if not attentive. He cradled a glass of something suitably manly—brown liquor of some sort in an old-fashioned glass with a single ice cube. “So, I have at least one buyer who might be interested in one of the units here in the hotel.”
“Oh, really?” Charlotte was starting to like Gabe more and more.
“Young couple. Married three years. He works in advertising, and she’s in fashion. They have a two-year-old son and have been living in Connecticut, but they’re both ready to be closer to work.”
“Sounds like the Grand Legacy could be a good fit. Sawyer is dead set on resident tenants.”
“Would early next week work for a showing? You’ll have to let me know what your schedule is like.”
“I’ll work around whatever works for your clients. Evenings are fine if that suits them best.”
“Perfect. I’ll need your number, though. I don’t think I have it.” Gabe slid her a sly smile and took a sip of his drink. He wasn’t as smooth as Michael, but he wasn’t that far off.
Charlotte was thrilled to dig her business card out of her evening bag and hand it over, especially when she could feel Michael’s eyes on her. She smiled at Gabe and remained focused on their conversation as they discussed the state of affairs in upscale Manhattan housing. Charlotte did more listening and taking mental notes than contributing, but she figured she had to start somewhere. She was quickly learning two things—real estate in New York, especially in the upper tier of high-priced residential properties, was cutthroat, much more so than she’d really understood. And the other new bit of info was that Gabe did not like Michael, and he maintained that most other agents didn’t, either. That part definitely put her in a peculiar spot. However much she and Michael were working in opposition, the bottom line was that she disliked hearing other people speak ill of him.
A female bartender stepped out from behind the bar and clinked a champagne glass with a spoon several times. The chatter in the room softened. “The grand ballroom is now open if everyone would like to make their way downstairs. The ceremony will begin in thirty minutes.”
The rumble of conversation resumed to its previous noise level, and guests began to file out of the bar. Charlotte wasn’t ready to give up the comfort of having a companion. “I’m up front with family if you’d like to join me,” she said to Gabe.
His eyes were wide with surprise. “I would love it. Thank you so much.”
There. Now she wouldn’t have to feel so bad about Michael and his date. They followed the flow of guests out of the speakeasy, down the grand staircase and around to the ballroom. Inside, they filed up the aisle and took their seats on Sawyer’s side in the first row. The ballroom looked splendid, lights dimmed and there were plenty of candles everywhere. Sawyer had been specific about wanting a small ceremony, so there were fewer than one hundred seats. A gorgeous art deco arch had been erected, covered in white calla lilies. Tables for the reception ringed the room, with elaborate but tasteful centerpieces in an elegant color scheme of white, silver and gray.
Charlotte’s parents had been married in this room. By all reports, it had been an even smaller affair, since Charlotte’s mom was pregnant with Sawyer, just like Kendall would soon be having Sawyer’s baby. She wondered how her mom had felt that day. Charlotte didn’t really have any warm memories of her parents as a couple. They’d never been affectionate around her, or not that she could remember. She only had sweet remembrances of her mom, and those were hazy at best, worn away by time. Charlotte had been only seven years old when her mother died.
Gabe’s phone beeped with a text. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve muted my phone.”
Charlotte touched his arm. “It’s okay. Answer it if you need to.”
“I’ll just be one second.” Gabe discreetly walked to the end of their row.
Aunt Fran arrived with her date, a dashing man with a thick head of salt-and-pepper hair. “Charlotte, this is Phil. Phil, this is my favorite niece, Charlotte.”
They shook hands. Phil had a killer smile and a firm grip. Way to go, Fran.
“Do you mind leaving a seat for my friend, Gabe?” Charlotte nodded in his direction.
Fran cocked an eyebrow and left the seat to Charlotte’s left open. “Where’d you find this one?”
“He’s another real-estate agent. We were chatting in the bar.”
Fran nodded and looked back over her shoulder. She closed her eyes and shook her head. “Oh, no. Your father actually showed up.”
“He did?” Charlotte turned to the back of the room. Sure enough, her dad was holding court with his current wife, Catherine. They were greeting several old family friends.
“I probably shouldn’t stay,” Fran said. “Or I should at least move back a row or two.”
How Charlotte despised the drama created whenever her father showed up. “You don’t think he’d make a scene, do you? It’s Sawyer’s wedding, for God’s sake.”
“I’m not your father’s favorite person. You know that.”
Charlotte did know that, but she’d never known the reason why. She suspected it might’ve been that Fran never liked Charlotte’s dad and had not wanted her sister to marry him. After Charlotte’s mom died, the rift had grown wider. There had reportedly been an argument at the funeral, but Charlotte was so young, she knew nothing of it. The one time she’d dared to ask Fran about it, her aunt had said that no good would come of discussing it. “I love you. That’s all that matters. And Sawyer wants you here. You’re not going anywhere.”
Fran nodded. She was tough as nails. “You’re right. If your father decides to make a stink, I’ll have no choice but to put him in his place.”
As if that comment had just summoned him, Charlotte’s dad appeared, holding hands with Catherine, who said, “Hello, Charlotte,” and took the seat next to hers.
Her dad leaned across Catherine’s lap. “Nice of you to show up for your brother’s wedding.”
Look who’s calling the kettle black. “I’ve been back in town for weeks, Dad. You know I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
He cleared his throat and crossed his legs. “Oh, that’s right. I forget how the three of you are so tightly wound in your allegiance to each other.”
Probably because we had to be that way. Otherwise we never would’ve made it through our childhood in one piece. Charlotte wasn’t going to take the bait. If she stopped talking, hopefully her dad would back down, too.
Sawyer and Noah appeared at the archway, as did the minister. Poor Sawyer looked even more nervous, eyes laser-focused on the back of the room. The music started and everyone stood. Gabe quickly took his place next to Charlotte. “I’m so sorry.”
“No problem.”
Kendall’s one and only bridesmaid marched up the aisle, but all eyes were drawn to the bride, who was smiling wide and waiting her turn. Kendall’s father had never been a part of her life, and her mother had passed away a few years ago, so she had chosen to stride up the aisle on her own. She took each measured step carefully, as if she was savoring every minute. Charlotte couldn’t blame her. She would do the same and soak up every second of the spotlight, if her big day ever came. Not that she had to worry about it anytime soon. Being pregnant and single severely diminished the dating pool.
Kendall was stunning in a gorgeous bias-cut dress of satin charmeuse. The woman wasn’t afraid of showing off her curves, even the four-plus months of baby that made her belly beautifully rounded. The smile on Sawyer’s face when she reached the archway filled Charlotte’s heart with so much love she could hardly stand it. His shoulders relaxed the instant Kendall took his hand. A tear streamed down Charlotte’s cheek. At least her brother could have this.
The ceremony was simply beautiful. Kendall and Sawyer exchanged their vows, staring deeply into each other’s eyes. Charlotte kept her hands in her lap, wishing she had someone to hold on to right now, and fought back the idea that this day would be better if Michael hadn’t dared to bring a date. Her brother and Kendall exchanged rings, and with the single proclamation from the minister, they put the final touch on their big day with a sweet and tender kiss.
Everyone rose to their feet and applauded. Charl
otte’s tears were coming faster now, and she wasn’t really sure why. She wasn’t the type to cry at a happy moment. Perhaps it was the sea of mixed emotions she was swimming in every day—excited by the prospect of her baby, nervous about what her family would think, thrilled that her most recent steps forward in her career had been strong, scared to the bone about what Michael would say when she finally broke the news of the pregnancy.
Charlotte turned to Gabe. “Hug?” he asked, tilting his head to the side.
She accepted his offer. She needed it. “Thank you.” She then took a bigger, stronger embrace from Fran. “Happy day, isn’t it?”
Fran’s cheeks were just as streaked with tears as Charlotte imagined hers must be. “Very, very happy, darling.” She then pointed toward the back of the room. “It appears as though your father is leaving.”
Charlotte looked to see that her dad and his wife were ducking through the doors, bypassing the receiving line. “What a jerk.”
“Are you surprised?” Fran asked.
“Not really,” Charlotte muttered. “Although I certainly hoped for better.”
They made the trip through the receiving line, congratulating Kendall and Sawyer. Meanwhile, the staff cleared away the chairs from the ceremony and guests consulted the seating chart for dinner. The music became decidedly more celebratory, waiters circulated through the room, offering champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
Charlotte caught Michael’s eye again. He was definitely watching her. She didn’t have much of an opinion about Gabe, but she was starting to form an opinion of Louise, who was now trying to get Michael’s attention. She stood in front of him, poking his chest so forcefully that Michael visibly recoiled.
Louise abruptly turned and pointed at Charlotte, then returned her sights to Michael, waved a hand in his face and stormed off. Michael looked up at the ceiling, then went after her. Charlotte had to quiet her immense inner triumph. The truth was, she felt bad for him. She only enjoyed seeing his ego bruised when she was doing the bruising. Somewhere deep inside her was a soft spot for Michael Kelly that went on for miles.
