Page 19 of Forbidden Bastard
If she and Charles were matched then maybe she shouldn’t rush to sever all ties with him.
Was she ruining her own future happiness if she directed him toward other women?
She had no idea what to do. Sandi folded her hands in her lap as the food was delivered to the table. Once they were alone, she said, “So the world's most successful matchmaker said we’re true love just waiting to happen?”
He picked up his coffee. “Impossible, right?”
She tried the hot chocolate and the liquid cocoa was nothing like she'd ever had.
Wow. Sandi forced herself to put the cup back rather than drink it down. “No. When I raised the money, I was going to give the five-figure donation to have her find my soul mate.”
The website directed the high price toward one of the five charities the countess found worthy. Sandi had even chosen the children’s hospital she volunteered at so the money went toward a good cause.
The only thing she hadn’t done was hit pay as she wasn’t able to just yet.
She sucked on her bottom lip and tasted chocolate. She took out a mirror and quickly checked her face.
Clean. He asked, “Why waste your money like that?”
She tucked her mirror in her bag and sat back. If for whatever reason they were a true love match and meant to live happily ever after, then he would need to accept her choices despite how many bad choices she’d made.
Time would tell, but her eyes were now open to the fact that maybe she needed to marry Charles. Sandi picked up her cup. “It’s not a waste. I sucked at finding men. I’m socially awkward.”
“Don’t lie.” He reached forward like he’d take her hand. "You're stunning. Red hair, green eyes. Ivory skin."
Surely she must be glowing that he thought she was some gorgeous, beautiful woman when the truth was she was normal without the inner siren he saw in her. “I’m not lying. I figured that if I was told who "the one" was then that would be all I needed." But for it to be Charles? "I don’t want to date endlessly and never find the right person to settle down with.”
His face went white. “You already saidnoto my proposal.”
She sipped her chocolate that warmed her inside, but not as much as Charles. “You didn’t tell me you were my possible true love and that you didn’t just pick my name randomly.”
He sat rigidly beside her. “Does it make a difference?”
She scooted her chair closer to him and kept her voice down as she said, “Yes. Charles, you kiss like you’re my true love…”
A blush went over his entire face, making him red under his perfect tan. “That’s insane.”
Sandi took the last sip of her hot chocolate and quickly ate her croissant. She then placed her napkin on the table and said, “No. No it’s not. So let’s get going.”
He gulped his own coffee and rose with her. “To the airport to get you back to Denver?”
“I told you already I’m staying. So let’s go…” She stared into his brown eyes as she knew she was about to challenge him. “To meet your Clara. If she agrees that we should marry then I was wrong to protest.”
Sandi turned on her heels and headed out of the cafe. He chased after her and once they reached the sidewalk he asked, “What does that mean?”
Now or never. Their paths had changed today and she wanted to know if this matchmaker was right. Her life would be so much better if Charles was the one. She raised her hand in the air to flag a cab. “It means we can get married and figure out how to live happily-ever-after.”
A taxi stopped for them.
She headed toward it. He opened the door for her and said, “I’m not that man. To live happily.”
“Charles, there is nothing wrong with being a hero.” She spoke with certainty, though she wasn’t sure;fake it till you make it.
Regarding love, well, he needed to see that she believed in the emotion and it was a good thing--he should too. Sandi scooted into the taxi and he joined her.
They had this chance to find out.
Chapter 6
