Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
“So, what’s with you and Charlie?” Aiden asked, changing the subject. “I saw you huddled together talking to her earlier.”
“Everyone else talked to her too.” Realizing his answer sounded defensive, he gave his brother more information. “Fallon asked if I’d show her the empty apartments in my buildings since she’s looking for a place to live.”
“And that’s why I caught you staring at her ass and giving her puppy dog eyes like a teenager?” Aiden grinned.
“Shut the fuck up. I was not mooning. I was… admiring.”
Aiden tipped his head to the side, studying him. “Oh yeah? At Fallon’s wedding, too? I saw you two dancing.”
“What are you? My babysitter? Besides, it’s been two months since the wedding and you’re just mentioning you saw us now?”
“I haven’t been here to do it,” he said.
“Maybe it’s time you were.”
Of all his brothers, Jared was the closest to Aiden, which was why his sibling’s need to travel was most difficult on Jared. He not only missed talking to him but he hated not being able to reach him at will. Between time differences and how busy they both were, long conversations were impossible.
“Maybe it is.”
Jared blinked, stunned at the answer, but before he could reply, Aiden spoke again. “Now, about Charlie…”
“I call her Charlotte.”
Aiden smirked. “So make a move.”
Jared sighed. “My life doesn’t lend itself to a relationship. The business and Dad keep me busy enough.”
“Not too busy to show her apartments.” He leaned forward in his seat. “Isn’t Brooke helping out at the office? You promoted her, right?”
“A well-deserved, overdue promotion. Between the two of us we’re running things, but it isn’t fair of me to dump extra work on her because I want a social life.”
Aiden laughed. “At least you admit you want one. I’d say that’s a start.”
Jared grudgingly agreed with a grunt, then changed the subject. “Now, speaking of personal lives, let’s talk about Brooke.”
“Let’s not.” Aiden pushed himself up from his seat.
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 morning came 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.”