Chapter Fifteen
T he week flew by and suddenly the day of the gala arrived. Though it had been her week with the twins, Noah had their steady Saturday night babysitter watch them for the evening. Once Noah and Fallon officially became a couple, then married, the twins stopped their antics of driving away sitters, and accepted Greta, a young woman who Fallon met and hired. A Swedish student on a work visa, Dakota pumped her for information about her homeland and Dylan just liked her fun personality.
Charlie spent the day pampering herself. She couldn’t say she was used to it but by the time she walked out of the salon, her hair pinned up for the night, her nails done, and her face fully made up, once again she felt like a different woman. One she was getting used to seeing in the mirror.
She arrived back home to change and wait for Jared to pick her up when she saw a man huddled in the corner of the lobby, his hands in his jacket pockets and his shoulders hunched over.
She looked at the brown hair and immediately knew. “Dan?”
Her brother turned to face her and she gasped at the black eye he was sporting. He limped toward her, showing her his bruised lip.
“Oh, Danny,” she said, using his childhood nickname. “What happened?” She reached to touch his face and he flinched, backing away.
“I walked into a door?” He laughed awkwardly at his horrible joke, as he shifted from foot to foot.
She frowned. “That’s not funny. Seriously, are you okay?”
He nodded, lying. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.”
She narrowed her gaze, not believing a word he said. “What really happened?”
“None of your goddamn business!” he said, his voice rising.
Wincing, she glanced at the doorman witnessing the scene.
“Ms. Kendall, do you need me to have him removed?” the young man asked.
She cringed inside and shook her head. “No thanks, Kevin. Everything is okay.”
His frown told her he didn’t buy it. She wasn’t sure she believed her claim, either.
She turned back to her sibling. “If you’re okay, then why are you here? What do you want?” she snapped at him. “I have somewhere I need to be.”
His expression turned into a sneer. “Yeah, I can see you’re all high and mighty now.” He gestured to her made-up face and coiffed hair. “Which means you have money to lend your brother.”
If only he knew. She hadn’t started her job, not until Monday, and wouldn’t be paid for two weeks. She was living frugally when she didn’t have the girls to worry about.
“I don’t have any cash on me,” she told him. She’d used her spare money for tips.
He sighed. “Come on, Charlie, please?”
Her heart split in two at his plea. “Is it drugs?” Because he was definitely jittery.
He glanced from side to side, making sure no one was around or listening. The doorman was busy with his cell phone. “It’s not drugs, exactly.”
“What does that mean? Are you clean?”
Refusing to meet her gaze, he swung his head back and forth. “No. But that’s not it. It’s the guys I’ve been hanging out with. They did something… bad. And because of that, they got me into trouble.”
Typical Dan, never taking responsibility himself. “God, Danny.”
His eyes filled with tears, his expression tight but also wide with fear. She couldn’t imagine what kind of trouble he was in to have such an extreme reaction.
Finally, he let out a pained sigh. “Never mind. I’ll figure something else out,” he muttered. “Just worry about your own life. I’ll be fine.”
She hated the guilt trip but she’d bailed him out too often. At some point, he had to stand on his own. This was the time. She couldn’t have anything to do with the kind of problems he was having.
“I’ll always worry about you. You’re my brother. But you need to get clean, face the consequences of your actions, and start to fix your life.”
Knowing she shouldn’t, she opened her bag and found the few twenties she had left, shoving them into his hand.
“Thanks, Charlie. I know I need to fix things. I just don’t know how.”
She squeezed his shoulder. “Figure it out.”
Taking her by surprise, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Thanks, sis.”
She watched as he limped away and slowly headed up to her apartment to get ready for her evening. Though how she’d enjoy it now, she had no idea.
***
Jared sat in the back of the limo with the most gorgeous woman he’d ever laid eyes on. His sister’s stylist had outdone herself with the silver gown and Charlotte had added to the look by having her hair and makeup professionally done.
He appreciated both the everyday woman and this more elegant one and he was touched she’d went to the effort again. But instead of her sparkling eyes matching her glowing skin, she had a distant look, as if she were somewhere else, not here with him.
He slid his hand over hers. “Charlotte?” When she didn’t answer right away, he repeated her name, tapping the top of her hand with his fingertips.
She startled then turned toward him. “Oh! Sorry. What did you say?”
“I was trying to get your attention. Where are you?” he asked.
She sighed. “I had a visit from my brother. He was waiting in the lobby when I got home this afternoon and he’d been beaten up.” Her eyes shimmered with tears.
She pulled a tissue from her purse and dabbed at them. “Dan told me that he and the guys he hangs out with are in trouble. I sensed it was beyond owing someone money, though that’s his usual MO.”
Jared frowned, and opened his mouth to lecture her about her brother and his so-called friends , but caught himself in time. Charlotte was upset. She didn’t need him adding to things by scolding her about having anything to do with her sibling. Especially when he couldn’t imagine turning his back on his brothers or sister. The fact that her brother triggered his worst fears wasn’t her issue; it was his.
“I’m sorry,” he said, the words lame but the best he could offer. “Was he high?”
She nodded.
He drew a deep breath and let it out again. “You know, if he ever wants to get clean, I can get him into a good treatment center. I’d be happy to pay for it and with the connections through tonight’s charity, it would be one of the best in the country.”
“Jared. That’s beyond generous. I wish he’d take you up on it.” She shook her head as if no was a definite answer.
“Well, the offer is always open.”
She met his gaze, her first smile of the night lighting up her face. “Thank you. And thank you again for this.” She waved her hand up and down the glittering silver gown.
“My pleasure. Especially since I get to look at you in it all night.” He reached into his pocket and came out with a long box. “This is for you.”
Her eyes, surrounded by thick, black lashes, opened wide.
“You didn’t have to get me anything. In fact, you shouldn’t have.”
Ignoring the comment, he popped open the box.
She glanced down and gasped at the tennis necklace he’d bought. All diamonds except…
“The two pink sapphires are for the twins. And the jeweler said he can add a blue sapphire or another pink one after we know the sex of our baby.”
She gasped. “Oh my God. This is stunning. It’s too—”
“Don’t say too much. Turn.”
She pivoted so he could wrap the necklace around her bare neck and do the clasp. She spun back to face him. “I’m speechless. It’s so beautiful and meaningful. I never expected you to buy me anything, let alone… this.” She touched the full set of diamonds surrounding her neck.
“It’s not as beautiful as you. You’re giving me something I never dreamed of having for myself. A baby. A family.”
Leaning in, she pressed a kiss to his lips. “Don’t worry, it’s stainproof.” She laughed and shook her head. “Thank you seems so insufficient.”
The car drew to a stop and cut off the discussion about the necklace. “We’re here. Are you ready to go in?” he asked.
“I am.”
The driver opened the door and after Jared climbed out, he helped Charlotte, wrapping an arm around her waist as he led her inside.
***
Charlie sat by Jared’s side at the family table, listening to the formalities of the event. They all welcomed her warmly and she felt like she belonged, a feeling she was still getting used to.
Samantha, who she hadn’t spent much time with, walked over, joined by Raven. “Who wishes they were home in sweats watching television?” Raven asked.
Charlie laughed at the comment. “Normally I would, but this is my first time in such an amazing gown and shoes—” She swept her arm up and down her body. “I’m enjoying dressing up tonight.”
Samantha nodded in agreement. “I like the occasional glam night.”
Raven sighed. “Okay, just me then.” The women went on to talk about things in their lives, including Charlie in the conversation, which she appreciated.
A tapping sound echoed around the room and when she looked over, a woman was standing at the microphone.
“Oops. That’s our cue to sit down.” Samantha touched Charlie’s arm. “I look forward to getting to know you more,” she said.
“Same here.” Raven smiled, and Charlie took her seat.
Jared settled in beside her. “Is everything okay?” he asked.
She nodded, smiling. “Your sisters-in-law are great,” she said.
He slid his hand into hers. “I’m glad they’re making you feel welcome.”
The woman at the podium began to speak.
Charlie’s hand touched the necklace at her throat and she let her mind wander. Not to her brother, who she couldn’t do anything to help if he wasn’t ready to accept her help, but to Jared, and his generosity. Of course, the necklace was sparkling and spectacular and she’d never owned anything so beautiful. But the thought behind it…
And that he’d included the twins. Girls that weren’t his own. He hadn’t just been thinking about the baby they’d share but her daughters, too. There was no better way to win her over than to care about her girls and make them an important part of his life, as well. The best thing about Jared was there was no calculation in doing so. He truly cared. This man was breaking down her walls more with each passing day.
Her thoughts were distracted when Alex rose from his seat to a round of applause. Standing at the podium, she listened to him talk about his deceased wife and how she would still be here today if not for a man addicted to drugs, who’d gotten access to a gun, and killed her in the name of revenge.
At one point during the speech, he winced and lifted his hand to his chest and Jared nearly bolted out of his seat, as did his siblings, but he finished without incident.
She squeezed Jared’s hand and held on for the duration of Alex’s speech, which impacted all the Sterling siblings sitting around the table. Lizzie dabbed at her eyes and Charlie found a new respect for the woman who gave Alex a second chance at happiness.
He returned to his chair and reassured his family he was fine, but from Jared’s tight jaw, he was skeptical. He’d even whispered his worry in her ear but he was forced to take his father at his word.
Later, with the night winding down, Charlie danced with Jared, his strong arms wrapped around her waist. She inhaled his sensual cologne and her body sparked with need. His stiff erection rubbed against her as he moved, the desire between them equal and obvious.
“This reminds me of when we spent time together at Fallon and Noah’s wedding,” she said.
He chuckled in her ear, the sound low and deep. “As if I’d forget.”
She smiled as they slow danced to the music. Aroused but also safe and content in his embrace.
“This might be too forward,” he said. “But do you want to get out of here?”
Hearing the exact same phrase he’d spoken to her that same night, she smiled. “I don’t have a room upstairs this time but yes, I’d love to.”
“My place or yours?” he asked.
The girls were sleeping at their dad’s, so she didn’t have to worry about them after the sitter left. “Surprise me.”
He checked in with his father. The twins were fine. Then they said their goodbyes and walked out, hand in hand. Jared said something to the driver and they headed home in comfortable silence, her head on his shoulder.
They pulled up in front of his building and she followed him inside where she spent a glorious night in his bed.
***
Charlotte woke to the sound of a cell phone she recognized as Jared’s. Checking the time on her cell, she realized it was too late for a normal call. Still, she really needed to go to the bathroom, so she rushed out of bed while Jared answered the phone.
She returned to find he was out of bed and pulling on his pants. “What’s wrong?” she asked, rushing over to him.
“That was Remy. My dad’s in the hospital and it’s serious.” He ran a shaking hand through his hair. “We all knew something was wrong tonight. Why did I let him talk me into buying he was fine?”
She pulled him into a brief hug. “Let me get dressed and I’ll come with you.” She didn’t want him to be alone.
He buttoned his shirt, not bothering to tuck it in. “I should tell you to stay in bed. To get some sleep, but I really want you by my side.”
She was relieved to hear his answer. “That’s good because you couldn’t talk me into staying here and sending you there alone.”
He shot her a look of gratitude, and they finished dressing then rushed to the hospital to be there for his father.