Tammy called later that afternoon to see how my last few days had gone, though I already knew she was prying about Charlie. I’m sure it’d gotten around town by now that we’d been seen out and about together a few times. Before she could ask though, I told her everything that happened about my job and the eviction notice. She told me to hang in there about the job and offered to house me for a while, but I knew she was allergic to dogs and politely, and regrettably, turned her down.
“At least you have the ball to look forward to,” she said. “You got to have a date! Call Charlie.”
“So he can ensnarl me in his fake wedding scheme. Especially when he finds out I’m down on my luck,” I mumbled and shook my head. “No way in hell. That’s only going to make matters worse and after what happened…” My mind drifted to the kiss we shared only yesterday and every nerve in my body flared to life with a sudden heat. “Nope, not gonna do it.”
“Okay, but you still need a date.”
“Who would I ask?”
“I don’t know, but you sure as hell can’t take Max.”
“Why not? He’s cuter and smells better than most of the men in this town.”
She laughed. “Yeah, and he probably doesn’t try to hump the neighbors as often either.”
“Ha ha.”
“You should really call Charlie,” she said. “You know he’ll go with you.”
“Right. Talk about a dog humping all the neighbors,” I said.
“Just call him, Jaime. It’s just one date. Anyway, you don’t have to tell him you got booted from your job or that the sleazy landlord gave you a pink slip. If you’re so worried about it, just keep it casual and don’t get into anything personal. I won’t tell if you don’t.”
“Thanks, girl. You’re a pal.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty awesome,” she said.
“If you’re so awesome, why don’t you marry him? It’d get him off my back, and then Charlie and I can return to what we do best.”
“Which is?”
“Being friends.”
“I think there’s more going on… As for me and Charlie, we don’t have a chance in hell. You know what a romantic I really am,” she said on a dreamy sigh and I rolled my eyes. “I’ll only marry for love, not money or sex or anything else. I want a man to fall madly in love with me, then vow to spend the rest of his life with me. I know I won’t get that with Charlie. I know the perfect guy will come along and ride off into the sunset with me.”
“And you’ll get that someday, hon.”
“I know. I’m patiently waiting for my Mr. Right.” She cocked her head. “Think Charlie will ever get his happily ever after?”
“Not in Blue Ridge. He doesn’t have much of a chance in this town.”
Tammy clicked her tongue and I could see the annoyance on her face though she wasn’t anywhere near me. “You try to pretend you’re not interested, but I can tell you are.”
“No way,” I argued louder. “It’s not going to happen.”
“You adored him in high school, Jaime,” she sing-songed. “Everybody knew it. Heck, I’m sure Charlie even knew it himself.”
“We never dated, remember?”
“Bullshit. I know that, but you crushed on him hard. Don’t think we all didn’t notice. We all wanted you to together at some point, but it never happened.”
“I knew I couldn’t cross that line. Just like I can’t now.” I straightened and stared sternly at my reflection in the mirror. “You will not fall for his charm. You are not that easy and you are not that stupid either.”
“Are you talking to yourself over there?” Tammy teased and I groaned. “Why can’t you cross that line now? After all, you’re both grownup, responsible adults. Just take the poor man on a damn date and see what happens. I think you’ll find it pleasing.”
“If he wasn’t some Casanova and didn’t need a wife I might possibly cross the line.” I paced around my apartment, petting dog heads as they followed me back and forth, all except Max. His tail wagged as he sprawled out on the couch, content and happy.
Tammy’s words dragged me out of my happy puppy thoughts and I plopped down next to Max, running a hand through my hair. “That makes no sense at all.”
“I’m afraid he’s bullshitting me. You know what a charmer he’s always been. I don’t know if it’s real or not. We were best friends at one time, and yes, I had a tiny crush on him, but I knew better than to date a guy like him. I think it’s best to stick to that philosophy now. I have no guarantees that he’s changed, even if he is back here.”
“So you’re afraid he’s just trying to use you, saying anything to get you to marry him so he’ll get his hand on Daddy Warbucks’s fortune?”
“Yes, but…”
“But what? You really think he’d do that to you of all people?”
I didn’t want to think it, that he’d go so low, but I nodded. “I don’t know what to think. All I do know is that I’m so damn attracted to him. My heart beats wildly when he looks at me, and I can’t stop thinking about him. I know if I take him up on his offer, we’ll be in bed in no time. Those two years will fly by, and then he’ll just plant a kiss on my forehead and bid me farewell. I’ve already got abandonment issues. That would turn me into an all-out basket case. My real parents did that to me. I can’t let Charlie get away with it too.”
Tammy’s gently laughter told me how ridiculous I was being, but I couldn’t help it. My train of thought took me down every bad road and there was no turning back from it. No matter what he told me, I’d always be afraid he’d just up and leave me. That he’d betray me somehow.
“I understand,” she said. “You’re scared of being abandoned. That’s not an unreasonable fear coming from you.
I picked at a thread on the couch absently. “My parents did it, and so did he. What makes you think he won’t do it again?”
“Look, I know it was hard, and I know it’s why you pour all your time into those abandoned dogs and cats, but eventually you have to accept that not everyone is going to leave you. Put your abandonment issues aside for a month.”
“All right. I admit it. Maybe I do have abandonment issues,” I grumbled giving in, “All that deep pain and resentment and stuff. Who’s to say Charlie will put up with me anyway? Maybe I’ll turn into a crazy person.”
She muttered something under her breath I didn’t catch then said, “You won’t open up, but you should, especially to him.”
“Yeah. I guess all that deep pain and resentment has built up in me, and I don’t want anyone or anything else to suffer like I have. I don’t like to open up and let people in because I’m afraid they won’t like what they see, that they’ll just…take off.”
It was the truth, but I had no idea why it applied to Charlie. He knew everything there was to know about me and yet I was still terrified of what might happen if I let my guard down; if I talked to him about what really held me back.
“So you feel inadequate or something?” Tammy asked.
I sighed. “I guess.”
“That’s bullshit. You’re a beautiful person, inside and out.”
“Deep down, I know it’s not my fault my parents left, but it’s still hard to get over. I mean, why did they leave me behind? Was it just because I couldn’t walk right? Was it because I wasn’t a perfect kid?” I whispered, wishing maybe now I hadn’t answered the phone when she called. I was not in the mood to be analyzed.
“Nobody’s perfect, Jaime. You know that, and if your parents expected that from you, they were idiots.”
“Maybe I wasn’t cute enough.”
“More bullshit. You’re the cutest thing in this town…well, maybe next to that puppy of yours.”
I chuckled. “Gee, thanks. Now I get to add an inferiority complex every time I’m around my dog.”
She laughed. “Look, you know you didn’t cause your parents to leave. You didn’t sign up for that, and you sure as hell didn’t deserve it. You also had absolutely no control over what hap
pened to you. You were two years old, for goodness sake! Every person should matter, should be treasured and feel like they belong. You have that with all of us. You’re loved and cherished by everyone in this town. You’ve gotta let go of all that rejection, abandonment, and those feelings of inadequacy and tear down those walls you’ve built up. Just look at how much you’ve accomplished, all the challenges you’ve faced and overcome. You’re a survivor, Jaime.”
I laughed sharply. “A survivor who’s about to be homeless and jobless, as hopeless as those dogs that get dragged into the shelters. The only difference is that I don’t have fleas…yet.”
“Chin up, girl!” she ordered in a hard tone. “Don’t be hard on yourself. We all go through bad patches in life. The key to getting through it is to stay positive and strong, stay ambitious and keep fighting.”
I rested my head back on the couch and glared at the ceiling. She was right, I knew it and she knew it, but that didn’t make it any easier. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to dump all this on you. I’m just going through some things right now.”
“You know the great thing about dead ends?”
“What?”
“Things are destined to turn around when you feel like you’ve reached one. U-turns happen all the time.”
“I guess I believe that, at least a little,” I said with a sigh. “For now, I think you’re right. I’ll just go out and have a good time. My mom gave me $500 to donate, so I’m happy for that.”
“You really should consider Charlie’s offer though.”
“C’mon! It’s crazy. If anyone ever found out, they’d assume it was for the money and I’d be nothing more than a gold-digger.”
“I don’t think it’s as crazy as it sounds. Isn’t it right up your alley?” she insisted brightly. “You’ve both always been a little nuts.”
“You sound just like Charlie! Listen, I’m not the crazy girl I used to be.”
“I admit you’ve settled down some,” she agreed sounding like she was thinking hard, “but back to the point at hand. You guys used to be the best of friends. Why not marry him and keep it strictly platonic? You can move into one of the guestrooms in that big, beautiful house of his with all your dogs. They’d love that huge back yard, and Max could do his water rehab every day. Then, when the two years are up, viola! You’ll walk away as a half-millionaire. Easy peasy! You don’t have to let emotions or sex get involved at all. Just walk away as friends, with a big, fat bank account to boot. Just remember not to get involved. That’s a key point. Do not have sex under any circumstances. Because I know how much you care about him and you’ll only get hurt. It could work if you do it the right way.”
She made it sound perfect, but she hadn’t seen me with Charlie lately, hadn’t been there for a kiss that rocked me to a whole other planet. “I don’t wanna even think about it anymore,” I said, shaking my head. “I just want to go to this charity event, forget about my life, and have a good time.”
“Well, call Charlie and ask him to escort you as a friend. Cinderella shouldn’t go to the ball all alone, and it never hurts to have a little eye candy on your arm. It’s at a castle, right?”
“Yeah, but—”
“But nothing. Castles call for a prince.”
“Well, he is a great friend, and he does make me laugh.”
“So call him. It’s a harmless date to help poor animals.”
“I will.”
“Then do it. Because it’s not like you need a “Casanova” field guide to take him as a friend. Right?”
I laughed. “No, but I definitely need the guide if I do something foolish, like marry him.”
She chuckled.
We talked a bit longer, but by the time I hung up I knew I was going to take her advice and call Charlie. He answered on the first ring and the second I told him, he said he’d be there in two hours to get me. The excitement in his voice was vivid and when I hung up with him, I couldn’t stop myself from grinning.
Chapter 9
Charlie picked me up exactly two hours later and I stared at how gorgeous he was in his black tux. His thick wavy hair and pretty blue eyes captured my attention like no other man, or maybe it was because he was six feet of solid muscle and for tonight at least, he was all mine.
After I locked my front door and turned around, I caught his simmering gaze and the hunger in his eyes as he took me in. His eyes raked me over again as I watched and I clutched my purse tighter, needing to hold onto something, especially when his eyes lingered on my low scoop neckline.
“You look absolutely stunning,” he said.
“And so do you,” I said, returning the compliment.
He held out his arm for me to take. “You take my breath away.”
“Thank you. I’m so glad you were able to make it on such short notice.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Friday is my second favorite F word.”
I laughed and tried not to conjure up any naughty images of us fucking right there on the damn floor.
He smiled. “Sorry. Just trying to break the ice.”
Smiling, I slipped my hand into the crook of his elbow. I had a pretty dress with Prince Charming on my arm. Truly, I felt like Cinderella on her way to the ball.
Our drive to the castle was punctuated with laughter and much talking, with not one awkward silence between us. We were just old friends, reconnecting as we reminisced about the past. I felt entirely at ease with him, as if I’d known him for a million years. Maybe not quite as long, but it sure as hell felt like it. I missed this, missed him more than I thought and my anger at him leaving so abruptly slowly slipped further away.
Once we reached the estate, Charlie scrambled around in his shiny shoes to open the door for me like a perfect gentleman, flashing his movie star smile at me. I couldn’t help but return a gleaming one and we stepped away from the car as the valet slid inside to park it
I gazed up at the intricate details of the building, all those dark, decorative, hand-carved stone walls and the enormous, ornate windows. I was fascinated by the multiple layers of arches, the decorative stonework, and the massive buttresses. The gothic beauty of the grand place took my breath away, and it was definitely an irresistible magnet to the eye. If it wasn’t so chilly tonight, I’d ask Charlie if he wanted to take a stroll through the vineyard around the back.
As we walked up the gravel drive to the main doors, the wind picked up and I shivered beneath my thin shawl. Charlie’s arm immediately shifted to my shoulders and pulled me into his warmth. It would have been just like old times except for him sweetly kissing the top of my head as we walked. His hand rubbed my arm, warming me and I leaned into him, helpless to resist.
The estate sparkled with glamor as we walked in, and my eyes were wide as I took in our stunning surroundings. The host led us down a long candlelit corridor before we were directed up a winding, spiral staircase, into a grand, majestic courtroom. Our voices echoed in the hall, the sound carrying up to the high, vaulted ceiling with a pointed arch. Amazed, I spun around and admired the breathtaking arches and long benches, carved with intricate gothic designs. Medieval armor, shields, swords, and red velvet curtains with tassel tie-backs adorned the walls to the left. On the other side of the room, embroidered tapestries, stitched with the family crests of arms, were on proud display and I clapped my hands together, happy I took Tammy’s advice and came out tonight. The ballroom sparkled with countless chandeliers and candles lining the walls. I glanced around at the soaring ceilings and historic architecture. From vaulted ceilings and decorative candelabras to arched windows and mirrored wall accents, I was blown away. It was incredible and romantic. A perfect night for me to spend with Charlie.
Guests were entertained by the renowned dance troupe “Glitter and Dance” along with other performers. I wasn’t sure about dancing at first, but after the first few songs, and several glasses of champagne, Charlie took my hand and chuckling, dragged me out onto the dance floor. We danced the night away as we enj
oyed the spectacular surroundings of the 19th century and was designed by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt, one of the most influential figures in architecture. Charlie swung me out and pulled me back in close, holding me to his chest as we swayed to the music and my problems of the day melted away into the night.
Considering the theme of the event, of course there were guest appearances by some big names in the world of animal welfare. We listened to speeches and wonderful stories about people who had saved precious creatures who were so close to death’s door. All the while, we sipped more champagne, laughed, talked, and danced.
When Elvis began to croon his famed “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” Charlie reached for my hand and led me back to the dance floor. We held each other close under the glittering chandeliers, gazing into each other’s eyes. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Charlie was a skilled slow dancer, swaying perfectly to the beat of the music, the love songs of prior generations.
I wanted to be just friends with him, but there was so much more brewing just beneath the surface, and I didn’t think either one of us could deny it. We had tried to bury it for years, but I still felt intoxicated by him. Back then, he was so young and carefree, a wild beast I was sure I could never tame, but now I wondered if I could. I’m not so sure, I thought. Maybe I shouldn’t even try. Unfortunately, when I looked into his eyes, my heart began to beat with demands of its own, as if he was casting some spell on me, one I couldn’t possibly fight. I could see the chance he wanted with me. The chance at a future together. It was in his gaze, the warmth of his skin, the subtle way his body shifted against mine as we moved across the dance floor. It was in everything Charlie did.
I could feel the warmth of his breath and the heat of his gaze as he held me close. “I should’ve never left,” he said quietly and our feet came to a stop. “I don’t even know why I did anymore.”
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