Page 12 of Just One More Affair
Jared knew there was intense history between them. He just didn’t know everything and he had a feeling she was part of what kept Aiden away. The other being their mother’s murder and survivor’s guilt. Both Aiden and Jared had been away at summer camp and there was nothing either could have done. In truth, there was nothing they could have changed had they been home, either.
Was that guilt what drove Jared to work so hard and protect his father at the expense of any kind of life for himself? Perhaps. But he had a feeling Charlotte Kendall was about to change all that. For better or worse remained to be seen.
Chapter Five
The next morningcame all too soon. The sound of the girls’ chatter lightened Charlie’s mood and put into perspective the need to meet with Jared and find an apartment. It had taken her hours to fall asleep last night, and she lay awake listening to them giggling in the double bed next to hers.
Once they were dressed, she took the twins down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast where Fallon would pick them up. It was summertime, so they were off from school and Fallon had hired an assistant manager at the gallery to help her out, giving her more time when the baby arrived. She was always willing to help with the girls.
“Want some of my eggs?” Dylan asked, sticking her fork into the yellow scrambled mass and holding it out for Charlie.
She shook her head and quickly looked away, feeling queasy.
Overall, she’d had an easier time with nausea this pregnancy than she’d had with the girls because… twins, so she attributed today’s bout to nerves. She had to tell Jared he was going to be a father. Explaining to her daughters could wait, though.
She took a sip of herbal tea, wishing it was a hard dose of caffeine instead.
“Fallon’s here!” Dakota said, rising from her seat.
“Wait until she comes to you.” Charlie added a tip and signed the bill to her room before turning to see Fallon striding toward them.
She had her own look, favoring long skirts and eclectic tops, whereas Charlie preferred leggings, flowing floral blouses or men’s-styled shirts, and when home, fitted gym clothes, which would be interesting when she began to show. She’d been so huge with the twins she’d had to wear loose clothing.
“Morning, Fallon.” Charlie rose from her seat. “I appreciate you taking them while I look at apartments. The day would bore them to tears.”
Fallon chuckled. “I understand. Are you ready, girls?”
They gathered their things. “Fallon, Mommy’s taking us to the Museum of Natural History this week. Want to come?”
Fallon glanced at Charlie and shook her head. “You need time with them.”
“You’re more than welcome. You know that.”
“Next time.” Turning to the girls, Fallon said, “I’ll come on another trip. Ready? I want to stop at the gallery and show you some new art.”
“Yay!” they chimed in unison.
“Give me a hug,” Charlie said. The girls took turns with big hugs andI love yous, something Charlie had desperately missed while away. FaceTime wasn’t the same.
They walked off with Fallon, leaving Charlie alone with a few minutes to herself before she had to leave to meet up with Jared. He’d texted her the address for the first building and true enough, it was close to Noah’s.
She took the subway to the nearest station and walked the rest of the way. The sun shone down and the warmth felt good on her skin. She strode into the building, immediately appreciating the security a manned front desk provided. He checked her ID and directed her to the fourth floor whereMr. Sterlingwould be waiting to show her around.
Mr. Sterlingwas in for a huge surprise.
***
Jared looked aroundthe four-bedroom apartment, appreciating how the light streamed through the windows in the morning. Charlotte would wake up to sunshine while having her morning coffee. Assuming she enjoyed caffeine to start the day. He didn’t know even the most minute detail about her, yet he wondered.
His phone rang at the same time a knock sounded on the door he’d unlocked for Charlotte.
“Come in!” he called out before answering the call, which, of course, was from work.
He couldn’t take one damned morning off without them needing him for something but Brooke wouldn’t bother him if it wasn’t important. He listened to her explain the issue as Charlotte walked into the room, and he couldn’t stop staring. She wore a pair of black, tight leggings that molded to her long legs and a fitted, pink V-neck short-sleeve shirt. Her hair brushed her shoulders and that familiar kick of desire rushed through him.
“Hi,” she said, and he reluctantly gestured toward the phone he had pressed to his ear.
Charlotte nodded, acknowledging he was on the phone, and began her own walk through the empty space he’d hoped to bring alive in his description as he showed her around.
