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)
“On another subject, did you see the invitation to the gala next weekend? I left it on your desk yesterday as a reminder.” She glanced at the desk where he’d piled stacks of papers before heading out yesterday. “I guess not,” she muttered.
“I didn’t need the invitation to remember the gala that’s in honor of my mother.”
After Gloria Sterling died, once his father pulled himself together, he’d set up a charity to help fund drug programs for addicts. His mother’s killer—they never said his name—had been on benzos at the time of the murder and his attorney’s argument was that in his right mind, he’d never have hurt Gloria Sterling.
No one in the family knew whether that was true but the need to help people was obvious. And anything they could do to keep their mother’s name alive was important.
Jared was notorious for ignoring galas unless he had no choice. Give money? He was all in. Attend an event? Not if he could avoid it. Too many people, too many single women looking for a man with money and, worse, too many mothers looking to pair up their daughters. But next weekend, his whole family would attend and Jared wouldn’t miss it.
“Why don’t you invite Charlie?” Brooke suggested, waggling her eyebrows.
He shook his head at her antics and laughed. “That might be the best idea you’ve had all morning.”
“It’s the only idea I’ve had since we haven’t gotten down to business yet.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, picked up her iPad, and took a seat, ready to work.
An hour later, they’d wrapped up their meeting and Brooke headed to her own office. Before making any business calls, Jared pulled up Charlotte’s name and hit call.
She answered on the second ring. “Hi, Jared.”
“Hello, beautiful. I’m calling to ask you to accompany me to a gala next Saturday night. Black tie,” he said.
“A gala?”
He leaned in his chair and pushed back, propping his feet on his desk. “It comes with the territory. This one’s in honor of my mother. The money goes to programs for drug addiction. I go but it’s always difficult. And it would be much more pleasurable with you at my side.”
“That’s a cause I can get behind,” she murmured. “I’m sorry all these things are back-to-back. My brother, the gala…”
He shook his head. “I’m fine. I just want to spend time with you.”
She let out a light tinkling of laughter that made him smile. “Well, aren’t you the charmer.”
“I try.” He grinned. “So? Next Saturday night? I should warn you, my family will be there and there’s no time like the present to make a statement.”
“What kind of statement?” she asked, wariness in her tone.
Clearing this throat, he said, “That we’re a team, you and I.”
“Jared Sterling, are you avoiding the word couple because you think I’d freak out?”
“The thought had crossed my mind.”
“Well, you’ll be happy to know I agree. We should make a statement. We’re raising our baby together and sometimes… we’re—”
“You can say it,” he urged. “A couple.”
And if he had his way it would be more than sometimes, both in reality and in her mind. One step at a time, though. She’d agreed to go with him.
“It’s just…” She paused. “I don’t have another black-tie dress,” she said softly. “Just the one I wore to the wedding and since everyone who saw me is going to be there…”
“Don’t worry about it. I promise you’ll be set.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll see. Thanks for agreeing to be my date. So, when are you moving in?”
She groaned, obviously not looking forward to the prospect. “I spent the morning on the phone with moving companies. How is Friday?”
He nodded. “That works. I’ll make the arrangements for you with the building supervisor and take the day off.”
“Oh! I know how important work is to you. I can handle the move by myself.”
He shook his head, realizing how little she knew him, but he’d rectify that. Make sure she knew she could rely on him. Since Friday was days away, he’d give her some space. He’d be living above her and seeing her daily soon enough.
* * *
Charlie woke up the day after Jared invited her to the gala, showered and readied for the day. Her plan was to go shopping for a dress that was appropriate for a black-tie affair but wouldn’t break the bank. Tomorrow she’d be out of the hotel and she could begin to regulate her spending. The girls were coming over after school to spend the weekend, help unpack their bedroom, and get used to the new apartment. She was excited to get them settled into the new place.
A knock sounded on her door and she opened it to find a bellman standing with a dolly filled with garment bags hanging from the high bar. “Delivery for you, Ms. Kendall.”