Page 15 of Secret Cinderella
Talia was sweet and capable. She was responsible and on time. Firing her would be stupid as she closed the store at ten or eleven depending on the day of the week. Charlotte’s mind raced as she realized that probably hadn’t happened… yet. Nancy was using Talia as a pawn to get Charlotte to give up. “So you’d close the store?”
Nancy never blinked and the intensity made Charlotte’s body shrink like a child’s. “I thought you’d manage tonight since we’re going out. It’s not like you’ve ever been interested in men other than Jack.”
Jack was the only guy in the world she needed right now. Antonio had left her with a phone and misery for not following through on that text. But something must have happened to Jack today…she continued to hold her box as she backed into the wall. “Jack’s the only guy who's ever been dependable.”
Mickey was in the side room that used to be a library but was now used as a dressing area. She was getting her hair and makeup ready but called out, “Were you crying earlier?”
So she’d seen after all. Charlotte trembled. “Doesn’t matter.”
Linda’s gaze narrowed like her mother’s as she asked while studying her nails, “Did some… was this because you talked to Antonio yesterday? And now you want to go see him?”
No. No. No. Her family had never put together anything in her life so why start now? Her heart raced as she quickly said, “Don’t be crazy.”
Linda stopped focusing on her nails. “You’re the one who needs a clue. Antonio’s in love with Jennifer Gonzales, the movie star.”
The brown-haired beauty was the “it” girl of fashion and style this year. Everyone considered Jennifer the star of the new millennium and she’d just continue to blossom with age. Charlotte lowered the box and sighed. “She’s beautiful.”
Linda rolled her eyes. “And she had Antonio’s son. But if you think you have a shot, then this is worse than Dillon Rufuli.”
There it was. Linda had found a knife to stick in Charlotte’s back. Charlotte felt the sting of tears as she met Nancy’s gaze and said, “I had no idea who he was.”
Her stepmother came closer like a spider out to get her prey. “He’s not interested in the new manager of my store.”
Right now she needed Jack’s shoulder. He’d know what to do as she whimpered. “Don’t fire Talia.”
Nancy’s red nails tapped against her arm as she let out a long, dramatic sigh. “I…”
“You will to get me to stay home.” Charlotte lowered the box and her head as she hoped to get away from them without trembling. Basically she needed Jack as he was the only good part of her day. She’d looked forward to his advice on being ignored. Maybe the party was a stupid idea and not worth getting Talia fired. “Don’t bother. You’re right. I shouldn’t want to go, but I do need about an hour after my shift to handle something personal.”
Linda stomped her foot like she had any say. “What do you need to do?”
Find Jack. Have him with her when she took the phone back to its rightful owner. “I need to return something.”
Linda shrugged and said, “I’m sure your life emergency will be resolved tomorrow. Just because Jack quit work doesn’t mean he’s leaving town.”
Quit? Her heart almost stopped. Jack didn’t finish school until next year. Something must have happened. She dropped the box of clothes. “Wait. What?”
Linda stood next to her mother. “I assumed you were talking about Jack.”
Charlotte glanced at Nancy for confirmation and her voice was raw when she said, “He… quit… today?”
Nancy glanced down her slope of a nose and didn’t blink at all. “A few hours ago. I won’t be giving him any recommendation for quitting via email.”
Charlotte’s mind raced. His phone screen was cracked and he hated not seeing the words he typed for more than a text. And he only emailed his homework with a hassle at the school library. What could have happened? Did he even send those on his phone? Where was he? Her eyes no longer had tears but adrenaline coursed through her as she asked, “Email? He doesn’t have a computer. I need to see him.”
Linda went for the box. “I’m sure your drama can wait.”
Charlotte grabbed it fast and held Nancy’s gaze as she said, “I’ll give Linda the clothes I rented, no questions asked, if you let me go see Jack before I go to work.”
Nancy didn’t budge like she judged what might happen to see if Charlotte interfered with the life plans she had. “And you won’t crash the Morgan party?”
She bounced the box in her open palm. “I don’t have any clothes to wear if I give these to you.”
No one blinked and this was clearly a cat and mouse moment so she stilled. Her veins pulsed. She needed to get going, fast. Finally Nancy broke first and said, “Deal. Now hand it over.”
Good. She plopped the box in Linda’s hand and skidded in her worn sneakers as she hurried toward the front door. “I have to go.”
And Charlotte, fit from all the work she’d done, could hustle faster than the others so she rushed out of the house and grabbed her old bicycle. The O’Conners house wasn’t too far.
