Chapter 27
chapter twenty-seven
Charlotte
Cured. Yep. One hundred percent cured. All I had to do was get him out of my system, and now that I’ve done that I can go about my life without thinking about what it’s like to kiss Caleb Alden. I don’t need to daydream about how it would feel to have his arms around me. It’s no longer a mystery.
I am all better.
The drive back to my apartment happens in a blur.
It’s one of those zoning out types of drives where once I park in my spot and shut off the engine, I’m a little confused as to how I even got here.
My brain was on autopilot while my thoughts circled around Caleb and that kiss. That incredible, heart-stopping kiss.
“Phew.” Yep. I don’t just sigh. I audibly sigh as I get out of my car and walk inside.
It’s not until I see the stack of freshly printed resumes on my coffee table that I remember all the stress in my life.
Oh well. I’ll figure out the job thing later.
Tonight, I’ll get through the gala, and I’ll do an incredible job at it because this is what I do. I’m good at it.
An event planner should dress professionally and be able to blend into the background.
We are not the main character of the events we plan, we’re the hidden puppeteers holding everything together.
I stand in my closet, looking at the vast array of black slacks and black blazers and shirts.
Any of these will work perfectly. Why is it so hard to choose one?
I flip through the pants, finally setting on an expensive pair of straight leg pants with a faint gray pinstripe.
They look great with my black ankle boots.
For my top, I choose a black satin camisole and a cropped black blazer.
It’s the sexiest work outfit I have, which isn’t exactly that sexy.
It’s still professional and covers all the inappropriate bits of my body. Still, my butt looks good.
Not that it matters.
Two hours later, my hair and makeup are exactly the way I want it, and my bathroom countertop is a mess with every single product I own strewn about.
My nerves ramp up on the drive over to the Alden farm, and no matter how much I tell myself it’s just event day jitters, I know the real reason my hands are shaky and my heart flutters like it’s running on caffeine is because I’m going to see him again.
For the first hour I’m here, he’s nowhere to be found.
Which is a good thing because I have an event to run.
Catering is set up in the admin building and the food looks and smells delicious.
The twins mowed the grass of the east lawn in a perfect way that makes it look like a parking lot, and they set out cones so people know where to park.
The DJ is set up, playing music softly in the background while everyone gets things ready to go.
And the barn looks stunning. It’s so satisfying seeing my vision come to life, thanks to my awesome vendors.
The Aldens could easily rent out this space for weddings if they want extra income.
Of course, the occasional dog bark in the air kind of ruins the quiet romantic vibe a bride and groom might want, but it would be a perfect venue for dog lovers.
It’s shortly before six o’clock when I see the first Alden brother. Ethan wears black slacks and a dark blue long sleeve button up. He walks into the barn fiddling with his sleeves.
“Need some help?” I offer.
“Yes, please,” he says, holding out his arm. I fold the cuffs three times to the midpoint of his forearm. He gives me the other arm and I repeat the motion. “Do I look okay?”
“Yep,” I say, flashing him a smile.
He looks around the barn. “The place looks amazing. I’m glad we have you instead of that felony chick.”
I chuckle. “Me too.”
“Is she a real felon?”
“Apparently,” I say with a shrug.
Leo walks up, eyes bright with awe. “Charlotte, this barn looks incredible.”
“I know,” I say with a silly little dip of my head. “You hired a badass and I need you to tell everyone so that I can get more business, okay?”
“You got it.” He looks around. “Where’s Caleb?”
“In his office talking to someone who wants to adopt Rex,” Leo says. “It’s some lady with a huge property north of Dallas. She saw his story on the news.”
“Wonderful,” I say and as a pang of jealousy slices into me. Who is this Dallas lady and why does she want Rex? She doesn’t even know him.
Guests start arriving, so I take my place at the barn door, welcoming everyone by name. Nothing makes donors feel more generous like actually remembering who they are. It’s a skill I’ve mastered over the years. I’m shaking hands with Dr. Magana when Caleb walks up.
“Doctor,” he says, reaching out for her hand. “Good afternoon. We’re so honored to have you here tonight.”
“I am delighted to be here,” she says, squeezing his hand. She and her husband walk inside and Caleb flashes his eyes at me in a big smile. “Everything is going amazingly.”
“I know,” I say, grinning back.
“And you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“You must not get out much,” I playfully snap back. Geez, I need to get away from this man. Every compliment he throws my way reignites something deep inside of me. It’s taking every ounce of my willpower to extinguish the feelings he gives me.
The gala is such an incredible success. I actually regret that Jenny is mad at me because if she weren’t, I’d totally be calling her right now to gush about how great things are going.
The food is terrific, the DJ has perfect timing with his songs and volume control, and the guests are all amazing.
The silent auction is getting a lot of bids and everywhere I look people are smiling and having a good time.
This is hands down the best event I’ve ever planned, and I had barely any time to do it.
After dinner plates are swept away and the staff brings out dessert, I change the projection screen to the Rex slideshow.
Caleb takes the stage with Rex by his side.
His presence is strong and commanding, and it’s one of the rare times I see the police officer in him come to the surface.
He’s a good public speaker, but keeps it humble somehow with his boyish grin and frequent thanking of everyone for being here and donating.
Rex does a great job, too. He sits next to Caleb, looking around quietly.
He doesn’t whine or bark, but he’s clearly a little bored.
He’s being such a good boy, though. When we get to the final slide, Caleb explains how Rex is up for adoption now, after a few months of living on the facility and getting additional training to work out his aggression issues.
The audience claps. I expected to see some teary-eyed emotions because I’m playing that sad but hopeful music in the background and the slide show is one of my best works.
I leaned fully into ethos, pathos, and logos to make sure we convince every person here tonight that the Alden Foundation is a worthy cause.
The one thing I don’t expect is how some people in the audience start asking Caleb questions about the foundation and working dogs in general.
This is clearly his wheelhouse, and he answers each question happily.
Rex, however, looks extra bored. High energy working dogs are not a fan of sitting around. It’s been half an hour.
I move through the room, to the corner of the temporary stage, getting Caleb’s attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen, can we take a moment to appreciate this woman right here, Miss Charlotte Brooks?” Applause fills the room. “Come up here,” he says, winking at me when he sees my horrified expression.
I swallow.
Being in the spotlight is the opposite of a party planner.
My job is to stay far out of the spotlight.
My job is to shine the light on other people.
But he’s smiling and holding out his hand to me, and I can’t possibly say no.
I take his hand and walk up the two steps to the stage.
Rex walks over, tail wagging as his head tips up to me, wanting pets.
I run my hand across the top of his head.
“Charlotte is our event planner for tonight. Everything you see here has been meticulously planned by this incredible woman. Let’s give her another round of applause.”
I give a quick wave to the audience. “Do you want me to take Rex back to his kennel?” I ask softly.
“That’s perfect, thank you,” he says softly back, holding the microphone away. I give another awkward wave to everyone, then take Rex’s leash and let the restless dog eagerly rush me off stage.
We go straight outside into the fresh air, free from shining lights and hundreds of eyes looking at us.
I take a deep breath, calming my nerves.
“I’m not a fan of being on a stage,” I tell Rex as I carefully walk over the gravel path.
He’s not paying attention. He’s staring straight ahead, body rigid. “What is it?” I say, looking up.
A man stands in the path, the cell phone in his hand lighting up his face. He smiles. “Hello there.”
Bobby Bryan.
“This is a closed event,” I say, keeping my eyes on Rex. “Let’s go, Rex.”
“I have an invitation,” he says, stepping in my path. “I’m here on my father’s behalf.”
“No one from WLB Construction sent in an RSVP,” I say, hating how my voice sounds weak. I’m trying to stay cool but I can’t stand this man. He was cruel and manipulative. He was the worst four years of my life. “Therefore there is no seat for you.”
“Oh, come on. I just wanted to say hi.”
“Hello,” I say, trying to walk forward again. “Goodbye.”
“Don’t be like that, Charlotte.” Bobby reaches out a hand, trying to graze my arm, I guess, but I yank my arm back.
“Don’t touch me.”
At the end of the leash, Rex lets out a low rumbling growl. The deep sound sends a shiver of fear down my spine, but it’s not me he’s looking at.
“Wow, down boy,” Bobby says with a sarcastic laugh as he lifts up his hands in a mock surrender. “You gonna sic your dog on me just for saying hi?”
“What the hell do you want?” I say. “I am working right now. I’m at work. This is my job. You need to leave.”
“I just wanted to say I heard what you did to my dad about not moving the event date. No one ever stands up to him, and apparently you did. That’s insane.”
“I’m just doing my job,” I say. Rex growls again. “Please leave.”
“What if I don’t want to leave?” His smile turns to a leer.
“What if I’d like a seat, Charlotte?” He steps forward and Rex backs up, firmly placing himself between me and my ex.
Bobby grimaces down at him, then looks up at me.
“What are you gonna do if I walk in there and sit down without an RSVP? Are you gonna cause a scene?”
“Probably not,” another voice says. Caleb steps out, leveling his gaze at Bobby. “But I will.”