Page 27 of Secret Cinderella
Antonio tapped her hand and she felt nothing as he said, “Charlotte, you’re glowing.”
She turned and smiled. “Jack is the best boyfriend I can ask for.”
Antonio beamed like he was pleased for them, or for himself, she couldn’t tell. “Glad you’re both happy.”
Neither she nor Jack said anything else. The two men stood and went back to the table they’d come from. Once they were out of ear shot, Jack said, “I get the whole Morgan thing is a lot. Did you want to talk to Antonio more?”
She shook her head and reached for Jack’s hand. Sparks sizzled inside her as she said, “Absolutely not. Now that I understand more of my own feelings, I think he just reminded me of you. And why would I want a copy when I get the best, here, with you?”
He kissed her knuckles and murmured, “We’ll be alone soon.”
Her hand now had trembles that hopefully never went away as this was a good feeling.
She’d just set her cup down when two people with a baby she’d only seen at the checkout stand asbig newselegantly took the vacated chairs. The man was nice-looking enough but a little too on the muscular scale for Charlotte’s taste. “Jack, it’s good to meet you. This is Belle, my wife, and our son.”
“He’s adorable.” Charlotte smiled at the baby, who cooed.
The articles claimed that somehow the woman next to Charlotte had an evil power over Peter Morgan that had destroyed the actress Jennifer Gonzales’s life with the banker. Belle Morgan in person seemed genuine and kind.
Jack said, “This is my…fiancée, Charlotte.”
Peter said, “Congratulations. Morgan weddings are eventful.”
Jack’s eyes widened and he spoke fast, “I don’t have any crazy ex’s.”
She winced. He’d never had a filter. She waited for the banker to get upset, but Peter and Belle exchanged a smile. “Lucky you. If you ever design a business plan, I hope you come to me first for investment advice before we spend any of our own money. You and your brothers didn’t grow up with money so I’m happy to advise how you can keep it and invest more anytime you want, instead of buying recklessly.”
What was the purpose of having money if he didn’t spend it? But Jack said, “I will. My savings account is mind-blowing now.”
Peter folded his hands. “That’s just a taste of your inheritance. There is much more we need to discuss, in my office. Or with Mitch if you prefer, or any of us bankers. We’re here to help.”
The idea that one of his half-brothers had their father’s name clearly rocked Jack as his face went white.
The baby cried and Jack regained his composure. “Finn and probably Max are the ones more interested in finance, but I will need all the help I can get. Thanks.”
Peter patted him on the back as they stood and he said, “Nice to meet you both.”
And then the power couple who were in all the news outlets just walked away.
Charlotte sat with Jack, happy that no one was going to ever interfere with them in that manner. She and Jack had the power to live happily-ever-after and no one needed to go to the press about it.
Chapter 11
The drive to Squirrel Hill in Sewickley, the suburb of Pittsburgh where the Morgans had their party and Andrew Carnegie and his ilk had once roamed the streets, retained the feel of the Gilded Age. Charlotte could practically smell old money. The brick building that was now a bank but read Car Barn had been where original cars were sold in the 1800s. Across from that was a yoga studio, Talbot’s, and of course, the jewelry store. The main street had a farmer's market on the weekend she’d been to years ago, when she’d gone out on a Saturday.
Maybe when she married Jack, if this was all real, she’d have Saturday mornings to do as she pleased. That might be nice.
Now mattered more though.
Alone in the car with Jack was the best. They sang songs the whole way.
But… she’d never been able to afford anything around here. This area was where the one percent lived, with helicopter pads on their roofs and the history of the Carnegie family everywhere.
The Masters had once had the best general store around. Corporate giants and her stepmother’s mismanagement combined should have spelled doom but the fiercely independent streak of the area kept loyal customers away from the big markets. It wasn’t going to keep the store afloat for forty more years, like her father had hoped. He'd wanted to provide for her.
Especially now that she was leaving.
She tried to shake that thought off and stared at Jack’s handsome, familiar profile. Her father had once advised that she should marry her best friend.
