Page 47 of Secret Cinderella
Elaine started to go, but Charlotte held his hand and said, “Call me about your sister on the phone—you have Jack’s number. If I can help at all, I will.”
The woman waved at them. “It will be nice to have a friend around here. Thanks. I’ll let you two get back to happily-ever-after now.”
Charlotte’s blush grew redder as she said, “We’re not there yet, but thanks.”
They weren’t? Adrenaline raced in his veins but Jack waited until the woman was far enough away that he wouldn’t be heard, guiding Charlotte toward the exit. “What’s going on with Elaine that worried you?”
Her happy smile dimmed. “Her sister is sick and they’re afraid she’ll die as she didn’t get treated in time.”
That sounded horrible and if Charlotte cared, maybe they could help Elaine. He took out his phone and found the contact number his sister had programmed into his new phone. “Tell her to talk to Luke. If there’s a specialist he recommends, we’ll get her help.”
Her eyes widened and she jumped into his arms again. “Jack, you’re amazing.” She let him go and sneezed.Achoo.
He walked her outside and hoped the humidity cured her random sneeze as Charlotte hadn’t been sick in years. “Do you know that we’ve never once gone on an official date? Prom doesn’t count.”
She stared at him and not the black limo when she said, “We were just sharing a hotel room, with that nice warm bed.”
He held the door for her and then followed her inside the limo. “I meant outside, no family, just you and me.”
She stilled and then let out a louder, “Achoo.”
“You’re sick.” He offered her a tissue he’d grabbed from the mini bar across from them.
“The bus wasn’t hygienic and there was dust.” She dabbed her nose and then tucked the tissue in her pocket. “I’ll be fine after a hot shower.”
She pointed to the flowers he’d put on the seat and he handed them to her. “Okay, we’ll stay tonight in a hotel, and tomorrow it’s just you and me and our plans.”
She wiped her eyes and he wasn’t sure if it was because she was sick, tired, or happy from the flowers. “I don’t care about a date. I need your forgiveness more than anything else.”
The limo neared the hotel. He recognized the cluster of palm trees lining the street that were so different than the oaks back home. He dug into his pocket. “That’s easy. Will you put this ring back on?”
“Absolutely.” She balanced the flowers on her lap and slid the ring on her finger.
He leaned close for a kiss but then she sneezed, burying her face into the bouquet.
He’d never seen her sick. He still wanted to kiss her, but for now he held his forehead to hers.
The limo stopped and he lost his chance when the driver opened his door for him. He scooted out first and waited for Charlotte. She held her small bag and the flowers and walked next to him.
She slowed in the lobby and gawked at the huge pool and bay windows that overlooked the aqua blue water. He guided her right, to the white and pink elevator bank, and then upstairs to their room.
This time he’d splurged on the presidential suite with two floors inside just for them.
He’d had all her clothes she’d left hung as well as some more his half-sisters had sent over.
He opened the double doors into the living room with marble floors and white leather couches, urging her to go first. “I want to make you happy. Let’s get you warm and showered.”
She strode around the lower level of their two-floor suite and glanced out toward the sanctuary where wild parrots sang to each other. She looked back at him. “Can I just say one more thing?”
Good to clear the air, all of it. He stood taller. “I spoke to Peter. No one has done anything with the store other than buy out your stepmother. If you want it, it’s yours.”
She shook her head and her cheeks had a blush when she said, “I don’t. Aurelia’s vision is clearly superior.”
Hadn’t she left because of the plans? His mind raced but he lowered his shoulders and said, “I just want you to be happy, Charlotte because you deserve to be loved.”
“I think so too.” She rested her hands on his hips and held him close. “I was holding onto the past and the years of living with Nancy as a means of saying dreams don’t come true.”
But he’d made the deal to get her exactly what her dreams were. She wanted the store. She could have it. He brushed his forehead against hers and said, “I don’t understand.”
