Chapter Four
C harlie had been back in New York City for the last two weeks. She’d spent the time acclimating to the time change, to the hotel she was living in until she found an apartment she liked and could afford, sending out résumés and spending time with her girls.
She drove to Jared and Fallon’s parents’ house in the suburbs, the kids seat-belted into the back of her rental car, chatting away.
“Mommy? When you move can we get a dog?” Dakota asked.
“I want a cat,” Dylan said.
“Hmm. Did you know a pope decided cats were bad and had them all killed? And that’s why the bubonic plague spread! ’Cause there were no cats to catch the rats. Maybe we should get a cat to keep the rats away,” Dakota jumped in with one of her fun facts.
Oh, her smart, wise-ass child, Charlie thought, doing her best not to laugh at Dakota because she found her so darned cute.
“No, sweetheart, that’s a myth.” It was more complicated than that but she didn’t feel like getting into it now. Not when her stomach was twisting with nerves because she was going to have to face Jared soon.
“Then I still want a dog.” Charlie glanced in the mirror in time to see Dakota fold her arms across her chest, and she had no doubt Dylan was gearing up for the cat argument.
“Mommy!” Dylan wailed.
And there it was.
“Girls, we’re at Grandpa’s house. Can we stop arguing and just enjoy the day? There won’t be any animals in the near future because you two are in school all day and I, fingers crossed, will have a full-time job.”
She pulled into the driveway and parked the car. The girls unbuckled their seat belts and opened their doors, running for what was sure to be the unlocked front door.
Charlie took the time alone to gather herself. Seeing Jared again would be trying enough, their night together still fresh in her mind, but knowing she was pregnant with his child made the upcoming encounter even harder. Although she knew she needed to tell him, this wasn’t the time or the place. An excuse? Maybe. But she didn’t know him that well.
She already knew he wasn’t thinking about a family at this point in his life—his words to her at the wedding. What if he was upset with her? She’d seen a doctor and knew her IUD was old and had probably failed. Despite the fact that it took two to make a baby, she felt responsible for this unplanned pregnancy since she’d assured him she was protected.
And what were the chances he’d be another Noah and take the news as a shock, but once he wrapped his head around it, in stride? What if he blamed her for saddling him with a kid? She was more than capable of being a single mom without his help but the family connection made things tricky.
Blowing out a breath, she picked up her bag, and the tray of cookies she’d bought at a bakery before leaving the city, then exited the car. She strode up the walkway and let herself into the house, as directed by Fallon. The sheer scale of the place overwhelmed her, as did the wealth she knew they had. Though not ostentatious, the structure was massive, with a gatehouse and pool in the back. It was a far cry from how she’d grown up in a small, run-down house her father rarely kept up.
Noise sounded from the rear of the house and Charlie headed in that direction, walking into a massive family room filled with people. Before she could say hello to anyone, and the entire family appeared to be there, the girls ran up to her.
“Lizzie made pigs in a blanket!” Dylan said. “Want some?”
“Did you know pigs eat humans?” Dakota asked.
At the statement, Dylan’s eyes filled with tears. “Mommy, is that true?”
She glanced at her other daughter. “Dakota, that’s enough,” she said, before turning to Dylan. “Did Wilbur eat Charlotte?” she asked.
Dylan sniffed. “No.”
“Well then. Bring me a hot dog. We can each have one.”
“Okay!”
“Whew. Subject changed,” she said aloud.
Laughter followed that statement and she found herself saying hello to everyone, hugging some she’d met at the wedding, and overall feeling welcome, for which she was grateful.
She turned and bumped into the one person she hadn’t said hi to yet. “Jared.”
“Hello, Charlotte.”
He stood close, his nearness a jolt to her system. He smelled familiar and sexy. It was all she could do not to lean into him, inhale the same arousing, masculine scent he’d had on at the wedding.
Catching herself, she smiled at him. “Hi. How have you been?”
“Busy with work and keeping my father in line. So basically, the usual,” he said, his gaze raking her over, studying her and taking her in, and her body heated with awareness. “I heard you’re back for good.”
“Someone has been talking,” she mused. Or has he been inquiring about me? she wondered but wouldn’t ask. “I came home a couple of weeks ago and I’m staying in a hotel until I can find a place to move. I want to be near Noah so the back-and-forth with the twins is easy on us both.”
“That makes sense,” he said.
“Hi, both of you,” Fallon said, joining them, Noah by her side.
“Hi.” She turned to Fallon. “Thanks for inviting me. The girls were so happy and I appreciate it.”
“My pleasure. So, I couldn’t help but overhear you talking about needing a place to live. I was going to discuss this with you anyway, so here goes. Especially with both of you here,” she said.
Noah put an arm around Fallon’s shoulder. “What are you thinking?” he asked his wife.
“Just that Jared owns three apartment buildings near where you live.” Fallon met her brother’s gaze. “Do you have any open ones? The building where you live is the closest.”
And Charlie was sure it was the most expensive.
Jared raised an eyebrow. “Actually, I think there is. I’ll check with my manager.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary. I’m sure it’s out of my budget,” she said, feeling heat rise to her cheeks.
Noah stepped over to her. “Can we talk?”
“Umm, sure.” She followed him to a private spot in the hall.
Once they were alone, he began to speak. “Listen, I know you want to be independent and you don’t want to take more from me than I insist for the girls. But the fact is, you being nearby benefits everyone.”
“I know but—”
He shook his head. “No buts. Having a safe place to live will make me feel better, and not just when the twins sleep over. If we’d married and divorced, you’d be entitled to alimony. Just because we co-parent doesn’t mean I can’t help out.”
She closed her eyes, hating that he was right. She’d rather live somewhere safe for the girls’ sake, not to mention her own. The places she’d seen listed were far from ideal. Small space, not comfortable for her daughters. Even the neighborhoods bordered areas where she wouldn’t want the kids playing outside.
“Okay, but I won’t take advantage. I have savings and I know one of my résumés will pan out. I have solid experience.”
He smiled. “I’m not worried about you finding a good job. You’re excellent at what you do.”
“Thank you, Noah. You’ve always been more than generous. I hate feeling like a burden. The girls are your concern, I shouldn’t have to be.”
He shook his head. “You aren’t a burden. Put that out of your head and let’s go enjoy the day.”
She nodded and followed him out of the hallway to find Jared had waited for her.
“Hungry?” he asked.
“Not really.”
He grasped her elbow. “Then let’s sit down and discuss apartments.”
They wound their way through family, stopping to talk to various people. At least twenty minutes passed until they finally settled on a sofa to have their discussion.
“So, tell me what you’re looking for. How many bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.?”
Knowing the girls were growing up and Noah would want them to have the comfort with her that they had at home, and aware she needed a room for the baby, she forced herself to scale up. “Three bedrooms, enough for the girls to move into their own rooms, though right now they want to be together. And two full bathrooms.” She couldn’t imagine sharing one during the upcoming tween years.
She didn’t deny she needed a nice place to live, but did it have to be the building where Jared lived? Knowing he was so close would wreak havoc on her senses. Memories of their night together constantly surfaced both during the day and when she tossed and turned at night, trying to sleep.
If she lived near him, she’d be wondering about running into him and be tempted to stop in and say hello. Not to mention, she still had to tell him about the baby and either he’d be angry or he’d want her closer. Given how she valued her independence, she couldn’t let him take over.
“Actually, make that four bedrooms.” She swallowed hard. “I need a place to work from home.” In reality, she needed a nursery, but she didn’t plan on giving him an explanation for that yet. Of course she needed Noah’s help. No way could she afford even a two-bedroom in a nice area of Manhattan on her own.
He nodded. “Okay then. When are you free to check out a couple of places in my buildings?”
She bit down on her lower lip. Knowing they were going to have to spend prolonged time together, she decided to get it over with. “How’s tomorrow?”
“Ten a.m.?”
She nodded.
“Give me your phone.” Handing it to him, she watched as he typed his cell into her keypad and hit send. “Now we have each other’s numbers. Text me if you need anything,” he said.
Overwhelmed, she managed a smile. “I will.”
The rest of the day passed and Charlie pushed her problems to the back of her mind, enjoying watching her children interact with their family, eat Lizzie’s cake like little animals, and helping them clean up their chocolate-covered faces. All the things she’d missed while away.
When the girls asked if they could sleep with her at the hotel, Noah agreed.
She gathered their things, because Grandpa and Lizzie always gave gifts, said their goodbyes, and headed out the door, feeling the heat of Jared’s stare as she left.
***
Jared watched Charlotte and the girls leave. The rest of the family was in the kitchen and Jared had escaped into the family room for a breather; time to think and wonder what it was about Charlotte that drew him in. She needed somewhere to live? He wanted to make sure she had one. A safe place for her and the girls. Usually, he was preoccupied with work. Instead, he was taking the morning off tomorrow to show her apartments.
“Hey.” Aiden came up beside him and settled in on the sofa.
“Hey, yourself. So how’s it feel to be back?”
Though Aiden had stayed in New York for a month after their father’s heart attack, he’d taken off again for a job abroad covering a hostage release in the Middle East. He’d remained in the region afterward instead of returning. Until now.
“Better than I thought it would. Guess I needed the normalcy of home.” Aiden kicked his feet out in front of him and leaned back against the cushion. “Did I tell you I was a car behind an IED explosion?” he asked as casually as he’d talk about the weather.
“What the fuck?” Jared asked. Shock and fear for what might have happened to his brother rolled through him. “This is how you tell me?”
Aiden shrugged, then rubbed his hand behind his neck, the only indication that the incident had disturbed him. His brother had nerves of steel. “I didn’t want you to worry if you couldn’t see I was in one piece.”
Jared closed his eyes and groaned. “You don’t make it easy,” he muttered. “Thank God you’re okay.”
“Just don’t tell Dad.” Aiden’s tone was serious, and Jared agreed. No need to add to their father’s stress.
“I won’t. Keep your ass out of danger?” Jared asked his brother.
Aiden nodded and let out a shaky laugh. “I’ll consider it.”
Jared knew that was as much of a promise Aiden would make.
“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.