Chapter Three
Three
CHARLOTTE KEPT HER FINGERS FOLDED on her lap, doing her best not to shift around on the uncomfortable wooden chair in front of the desk Dean Esher sat behind.
Probably in her sixties, the narrow-lipped woman peered through the bottom of her thin-rimmed glasses at the laptop, most likely refamiliarizing herself with Charlie’s academic and professional history.
How was she here again? Applying for a job, but this time, the prospect didn’t fill her with excitement. She’d had a job. Her dream job.
The air conditioner hummed like a third person in the room—or maybe it was just Charlie’s nerves.
Charlie. It had surprised her when she introduced herself to Grayson as Charlie.
Her dad used to call her that. No one had in so long, she’d almost forgotten.
Standing there, staring into his gorgeous eyes that stared back with no judgment or preconceived notions, she knew, in that moment and moving forward, she got to choose who she was going to be.
Not Charlotte Ray, the daughter of a legendary rock star.
Not Charlotte Ashford, the woman she’d become when she’d pushed away from her mother’s never-ending pursuit of fame.
Charlie Ashford. Maybe she’d grow to like that person even if becoming her had stemmed from hitting rock bottom.
You’re lucky to have this interview. Focus on that. She just wished it were being held at the actual school. Unfortunately, several wings of the college were being painted while some of the dorms and classrooms were empty.
“You’re definitely qualified for the position,” Lydia Esher said, her voice crisp and monotone.
“And I’ve been made aware of your situation.
” She lifted her gaze, looking directly at Charlie.
“While I think you’ll be a strong addition to our teaching faculty at North Michigan Community College, I do hope that your personal life will stay just that. ”
Charlie swallowed the bitterness of embarrassment, knowing that it wasn’t truly her fault but tired of explaining the incident. “I see no reason why there would be any carryover from what happened in LA, and I appreciate you giving me this opportunity.”
The dean took her glasses off, and without them, she looked more compassionate. More approachable. “Yes, well, Candice spoke very highly of you and seemed to genuinely regret that you wouldn’t be working with her team.”
Breathing through her nose, Charlie curled her fingers into the fabric of her dress pants and blinked quickly to stem the tears. Candice Song had offered Charlie her dream job, the one she’d spent hours upon hours of her life studying for and working toward.
Charlie’s dissertation on the fundamental significance of play therapy for children in today’s fast-paced world had given her the only kind of attention she’d ever wanted.
Her research and hard work at community clinics as a therapist paid off when Candice offered her a coveted position at Embrace, the elite Malibu therapy and wellness center.
When the godforsaken life-altering video surfaced, then gained traction thanks to the editing and special effects added by her awful soon-to-be stepsisters, it went viral.
In the whole scheme of things, it was a nothing scandal.
It wasn’t like she’d made a sex tape and plastered it on social media.
But Embrace was known for its discretion and esteemed for its reputation. Charlie was no longer a good fit.
Charlie didn’t even blame Candice for rescinding the offer of employment.
She’d gone above and beyond, reaching out on Charlie’s behalf for this position.
Telling herself to be grateful for the opportunity to share her vast knowledge of psychology with eager university coeds, Charlie widened her smile until her cheeks hurt.
“Like most things, I’m certain the popularity of the video will pass. For now, I intend to lie low. I don’t have any social media accounts of my own, and I’m a quiet person who mostly keeps to myself. I don’t intend to be any trouble.”
Standing, Charlie reached a hand across the desk to shake the dean’s. “Thank you again for this opportunity. I look forward to starting in the new semester.”
The older woman stood up, shook Charlie’s hand. “Yes. Enjoy the next few weeks, Charlie. I’m sure you could use the quiet.”
Charlie breathed a deep sigh of relief as she walked out of the office.
She’d left her belongings in her room, packed and ready to go.
Rolling an overnight suitcase into the interview didn’t feel like a great look.
Once again, her heels tapped along the linoleum as she headed for the elevators.
The hotel bed had provided a good night’s sleep, which she didn’t expect with the interview looming early this morning.
Despite the fact that Grayson’s intriguing eyes had flitted in and out of her mind through the night, she’d gone to bed early and slept reasonably well.
She’d been too nervous to eat and was now regretting not grabbing something light.
She wanted to familiarize herself with the small college town tucked into the pocket of Michigan’s northern tip.
There were a few cute shops; she’d seen a bookstore and a couple of delis.
She’d told her great-uncle she was going to arrive later tonight so she planned to take the day to herself. One day at a time.
Loud laughter and commotion came from one of the conference rooms along the hallway.
The double doors stood open and Charlie peeked in to see an interesting setup.
The large space held booths and tables along two walls.
At the far end, a massive mobile rock-climbing station was set up and someone was working their way to the top while others cheered.
Not far from that spot, a few small putting greens decorated the space under a tent.
Glancing at the sign on the door, she saw it was the Michigan Outdoor Pursuits Exhibition.
As someone whose main outdoor pursuit was walking back and forth to the quaint coffee shop down the block from her condo, this was intimidating to see.
She turned to go and smacked right into someone. Someone male who smelled like the woods: crisp, clean, and refreshing. That scent could definitely tempt her outdoors.
Two arms gripped her biceps, steadying her while making her acutely aware of the heat of his fingertips. Her gaze traveled up—over a solid chest, a square jaw with a hint of stubble—and locked with Grayson’s. His lips tipped into an easy smile.
“You okay?” Grayson asked, his voice deep and soothing.
Charlie nodded, her words trapped in her throat.
He smiled wider, moving him from good-looking to dangerously attractive. “Scared of the outdoors? You took one look, then turned and ran.”
Now she laughed. It felt foreign and freeing, like taking a deep breath. “I’m not much of an enthusiast, but no, I was just peeking in to see what was happening. Are you presenting here?”
Why did she ask? She didn’t need any reciprocal questions that would lead to sharing about herself. Still, it was impossible to look away from him, even if it wasn’t a good time to meet someone whose sharp gaze and sexy smile made her insides twirl like a ballerina.
“No. I’m actually taking in the exhibits, chatting with vendors and just checking things out.” He dropped his hands but they left an imprint of warmth on her skin. Like his smile.
“Well, thanks for not letting me fall over and for returning my credit card yesterday.” She should really go, and yet, her feet stayed glued to their spot.
Grayson’s gaze moved over her quickly, heating her skin like a flash fire. “You look really nice.”
She smiled, knowing that her dark gray, high-waisted pants with the crisp white blouse were both functional and fashionable but feeling touched by the simple compliment.
“Thank you. I had a job interview for the university. They were already set up here for some early student-orientation activities, so it was easier for the…” She stopped.
Caring eyes and a smile apparently flipped a babbling switch in her. He didn’t need her details.
“The?”
“I should go.” Don’t just say it. Do it. She started to step around him.
“I’m heading out as well. I need to go to Costco. I promised my niece popcorn from there.”
His obvious love for his niece made him even more attractive. Not that he needed help due to the aforementioned smile, his height, ruggedly solid build, and dark hair that looked softer than a cozy blanket.
Before she could say goodbye, or something else that would extend their conversation, Grayson lowered his chin. “Do you want to grab a hot dog?”
Wires in her brain crossed. “What?” Laughter bubbled in her chest, her eyes widening. “A hot dog. At Costco?” She tilted her head.
Was it possible for a grown man who looked like he belonged on an outdoor magazine to blush? If so, that’s what was happening right before her eyes. And it was utterly fascinating. Charlie’s smile stretched so wide she felt her cheeks lift.
Grayson ducked his gaze.
“They do have great hot dogs.” He swore under his breath so she only guessed at the word. Then he looked up. “It doesn’t have to be Costco. Or hot dogs, obviously. Jesus. I’ll stop saying hot dogs now.”
An unknowable force pushed her closer to him. It shocked her how much she wanted to say yes. Just a little slice of normalcy. Had she ever really had that? Why did the offer of it come now, when her life was in shredded fragments?
Charlie took a deep breath. She couldn’t find herself if she got lost in someone else, even temporarily. It was time to go. She had a bad habit of leaving when it all got to be too much. This man had too much, albeit in a tempting way, all over him. And Charlie knew she was a bad bet.
“I really would,” she admitted, her chest tightening when he grinned happily, like he’d won something special. “But I can’t.”
Pulling his smile back in small degrees, Grayson nodded. “Well, then, best of luck with your job and whatever is next for you, Charlie.”
She liked the way he said her name and the way he looked at her, like he was genuinely disappointed to cut their time short. Like he could see something in her that she hadn’t yet discovered for herself.
“Thanks,” she said, straightening her shoulders like it would help strengthen her resolve. “Take care.”
He nodded and Charlie walked away, refusing to turn around or change her mind. She was here to stay under the radar, start over, and figure out how to rebuild the future she’d thought was so certain.