Chapter 22
Charlie
My heart was pounding out of my chest. I wasn’t any good at talking about my feelings since my parents died, and I didn’t know how to.
“What do you mean you ‘care?’” she asked.
“I’m not any good at this, Marley.” I paced around the bedroom. “I spent so many years on auto-pilot living my life. This wasn’t supposed to happen—not to me. I had it all figured out.”
“Had what figured out, Charlie?”
“How to walk away and not get involved. How to not feel anything. But then you had to sit down next to me at that airport in Chicago and ramble on and on about your upgrade to first class. Then your seat just so happened to be next to mine. Then we make it back to New York, and I run into you at the coffee shop. And the fucking icing on the cake was that your friend just so happened to be the cousin of one of my employees, and you show up at my housewarming party. Then we slept together, and you got pregnant.”
“Don’t forget the Lake’s party, and you took me to dinner, and we slept together again.”
“Trust me. I haven’t forgotten. I haven’t forgotten one single moment we spent together.”
“But then you were a douchebag and didn’t call me for a month.”
“Because I knew!”
“Knew what?”
“Knew there was something about you that I couldn’t control!” I shouted.
“You were trying to control me?” Her brows furrowed.
“No, Marley. Not you. The feelings that I felt for you. I wanted to distance myself because it was happening. That’s why I didn’t call you. I couldn’t let it happen.”
“Charlie.” She walked over and placed her hand on my back.
“I was scared enough, and then you burst in here and tell me you're pregnant and that I’m the father. After your doctor’s appointment today, I met with my realtor, Grant, and looked at an apartment that I was going to buy for you and the twins. But I couldn't do it as I stood inside that apartment.”
“First of all, I can’t believe you did that, and second, why?”
“Because you belong here with me. You and our children belong here with me, in this penthouse.”
“And if I don’t want to stay here?”
“You don’t have a choice. You’re not going anywhere. Listen, Marley.” I held her hand and led her to the bed, where we sat down. “I’m going to ask you something and need an honest answer.”
“Okay.”
“Do you have feelings for me?”
She stared into my eyes, and I could see the tears fill inside hers. “I’m not good at this kind of stuff, Charlie.”
“Neither am I. Answer my question.”
“Ye—Ye—” Her bottom lip trembled. “Yes.”
I inhaled a sharp breath, wrapped my arms around her, and pulled her into me.
“How could you do this to me?” she asked.
“Do what to you?” I softly stroked the back of her head.
“Make me admit it out loud?”
I let out a light chuckle. “If I had to, then so did you.”
She broke our embrace. “I don’t understand why you’re so angry that you couldn’t get a hold of me.”
“It all stems from my parent’s death. I can’t control what happens out there in the world, and I hate it. I was worried something bad happened to you and the twins. Call me overprotective. I don’t care. It’s something I need to work on.”
“I can maybe help you with that.” She smiled, bringing her hand to my cheek. “So now what?”
“I think we’re on the same page as far as feelings go for each other, and we should take it slow and one day at a time,” I said, softly stroking her hair. “I know you don’t believe in love after your parents, but we’re our own people, Marley. You need to get over it, as do I. Maybe we can help each other see the brighter side.”
“You think?” she asked.
“Yeah. I do.” I smiled as my lips brushed against hers. “Are you going to share your location with me?”
“Are you?” Her brow arched.
“You bet.” A grin crossed my lips. “I have nothing to hide.”
“And neither do I. So, are we just going to sit here all night, or are you going to fuck me senseless after we just poured our feelings out to each other?”
“I love it when you talk dirty.” I pushed her down on the bed and kissed her passionately.
Marley
I woke up in his arms, our bodies tangled with each other’s as his alarm went off. Rolling over, he shut it down and wrapped his arms around me again, kissing my head.
“I have to get up and get ready for work.”
“I know.” I quickly sat up, placed my hand over my mouth for a moment, and then pulled it away. “False alarm.”
His lips formed a smile as he kissed me and climbed out of bed. While he was in the shower, I went into the kitchen and made him a cup of coffee and me a decaf. Glancing at the island, I saw an invitation sitting there, so I picked it up.
“You’re invited to Miles Bradshaw’s surprise party?” I asked when he walked into the kitchen.
“Yeah. It just came yesterday. You’re going with me.”
“I hate to burst your little control bubble, but I’ll already be there.”
“What are you talking about?” He picked up his coffee cup and brought it to his lips.
“I’m the one who planned this little party with Stella.”
“Seriously?” His brows furrowed. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“I guess it never came up. You were doing your thing, and I was doing mine.”
He walked over and gripped my hips. “I think we need to communicate more.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll see you later.” He walked toward the elevator and stopped. “How about we go out tonight? Anywhere you want to go and want to do.”
“Really?” I smiled.
“Yeah, really.” He winked.
After showering and getting dressed, I headed to Love At First Sip.
“Hey, Mama.” Olivia smiled.
“Hey, you. Where’s Penelope?”
“Dentist appointment.” Her eyes narrowed at me. “What’s going on with you?”
“What do you mean?” I cocked my head.
“Something is different. You’re a mix of happy yet nervous. I’m going to make you a raspberry lemonade surprise, and we’re going to have a little chat.”
“Could we go to that ice cream place down the street instead? I’m craving ice cream really bad right now.”
“You got it.” Olivia grinned. “You two keep an eye on the shop. I’ll be back,” Olivia said to her two employees, hooked her arm around me, and we walked out of the shop.
After getting our ice cream, we sat down at a table. Pushing my spoon into my triple chocolate sundae, I closed my eyes as I shoved it in my mouth, and the delicacy of chocolate soothed me. Olivia’s brow furrowed as she watched me.
“You’re freaking me out. What happened?”
“When I got home last night, Charlie screamed at me. He wanted to know where I was because he’d been trying to call me.”
“Did you tell him your phone died?”
“Yeah, and it just escalated from there.” I took another bite of my sundae. “He told me he wanted me to share my location with him.”
“Oh, hell no,” Olivia said. “He doesn’t get that right.”
“Wait.” I held up my finger. “Once he calmed down, we had a long talk. He told me he had feelings for me and wanted to know if I did for him.”
“Wow. What did you tell him?”
“I finally said yes once the word could finally come out.” I sighed. “I think we may be a couple now.”
“You think?” Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean you think?”
I told her everything he said to me about his feelings and the death of his parents. I also told her about the apartment he looked at and then changed his mind about.
“Why are we getting ice cream so early in the day?” Penelope asked, walking over to our table. “I couldn’t believe when I checked your location, you two were here.”
“Preggo over here needed it. Sit down. McBillionaire confessed his feelings to our girl last night, and she’s freaking out,” Olivia said.
“What? Oh, my God!” Penelope pulled up a chair and placed her hand on mine. “That’s wonderful, Mar. Why are you freaking out?”
“I’m not freaking out. It’s just?—”
“Your parents caused a traumatic event in your life, and you think everyone is like that.” Olivia pursed her lips and cocked her head.
“I can’t help it.”
“Are you in love with him?” Penelope asked.
“Yeah, and I’m terrified of it. My life has changed so quickly. I went from being this single woman who didn’t have a care in the world about guys to getting pregnant with twins and falling in love with a broken man.”
“A broken billionaire.” Olivia pointed at me. “Who cares if he’s broken? He’s rich and sexy. Besides, you’re broken, too. You’re two broken people who fell in love, trying to navigate pending parenthood and life. The two of you couldn’t be more suited for each other.”
“He’s taking me out tonight.” I smiled.
“Where are you two going?”
“I don’t know. He said it’s up to me, anything I want to do.”
“He’s dreamy.” Penelope smiled. “I want a McBillionaire.” A pout formed on her lips.
“He is, isn’t he?” I smiled as I finished my sundae.