The Bachelor

by Carly Phillips

  “You’re too smart to play dumb and I’m not in the mood for games. Any reason you had to use my name at all?” Roman asked Chase.

  “I print the news. If I’d left out Whitehall’s quote, it would have been a glaring omission.”

  “To who?”

  “Anyone in town old man Whitehall talks to. I don’t want people around here thinking we play favorites or protect family members.”

  “A past prank isn’t news.”

  Chase shook his head. “As a reporter you know better.” He rocked the chair forward. “You couldn’t give a rat’s ass what people think of you, so I can’t believe the article’s got you so bent out of shape. What really has you so pissed off anyway?” He rose from his seat and walked over, his gaze never leaving Roman’s face.

  “You go back to living with our mother and you won’t need to ask that question.”

  “That’d drive you to drink, not want to put me through a wall. This has nothing to do with Mom. Come to think of it, you look like hell. What’d you do? Dig ditches last night, instead of getting laid?”

  “It wouldn’t have just been ‘getting laid,’” Roman responded without thinking.

  “Come again?” Chase pushed Roman into the nearest chair, then slammed the door to his office closed. “Never know when Lucy’ll get bored and wander up here,” he explained, then opened the cabinet in the corner.

  Their father had always stored liquor in there and Chase hadn’t changed things that much. He splashed two glasses of scotch and handed one to Roman. “Now talk.”

  No matter that it was morning, Roman kicked back in the chair and downed the drink in one burning gulp. “I needed that. And I don’t have a clue what you mean.”

  Chase raised his gaze upward. “You’re pissed as hell that you lost the coin toss. You’re pissed your life has to do a one-eighty, and because you think you owe me, you weren’t going to admit it.”

  “Damn right.” There was no point in denying the obvious. Even if Charlotte made the prospect of marriage and children more appealing, his life plans had changed since his return home, and not by freedom of choice.

  “Don’t do it if you can’t live with it.” Chase braced his arms on the desk. “I told you that night, no one would blame you if you backed out.”

  “I’d blame me. Did I ever tell you how much I respect you for the decisions you made?”

  “You don’t have to tell me. I know how many people you’re reaching with your news and your talent. And every time I read a piece you wrote, every time you send clippings home, you show me what kind of man you are. And how much you appreciate everything you have in your life.”

  Roman glanced at Chase and shook his head. “I’m not talking about how much I appreciate life. We both know I do. I’m talking about how much I respect you.” He stood and shoved his hands into his back pockets. “It wasn’t until I lost that coin toss that I fully understood the sacrifice you made. You did it young and I respect you for it.”

  “Sacrifice is too strong a word,” Chase said as he inclined his head.

  Roman had embarrassed his brother and Roman knew it was as much of an acknowledgment of thanks as he’d get.

  “Now tell me what Charlotte Bronson has to do with things,” Chase said.

  Roman poured himself another drink. Because Chase had made tough choices in his lifetime, no one would understand better what Roman was going through now than his big brother. “I love my life. The travel, the stories, informing people about important things in the world.”

  Chase shot him a wry smile. “Even when we were kids, I always related to you best. I saw myself in you.” He inhaled deeply. “When Dad died, I knew my dreams had gone with him. But if I couldn’t be the one to travel, I was damn well going to make sure you had the opportunities I didn’t.”

  A swell of emotion rose in Roman’s throat. “I owe you for that.”

  Chase waved away the words. “I didn’t do it so one day you could owe me. Payback is the last thing I want. If I still wanted to travel, I could get on a damn plane now. My life is fine. So if you can’t do this thing and be satisfied,” he said, speaking of the coin toss, “then don’t do it.”

  “Hey, I have every intention of doing my duty, but damned if I can see myself tied to just any woman in this town. Not when …”

  “Not when there’s only one you want.”

  Roman reached for the bottle again, then shoved the liquor away instead. “Exactly,” he said, facing Chase’s words head-on.

  He pushed himself out of the chair and walked over to the window. He gazed out at the scenery that had always given his father such great pleasure—he knew this because all three kids had taken turns sitting on their father’s lap as he typed in an article, took ads on the phone, or just hung out with his children, all with this view behind him. Computers replaced the old Smith Corona typewriters now, and the trees were larger, the roots buried deeper, but otherwise things hadn’t changed. Young as he’d been when his father was still alive, Roman’s memories were vague. But they existed on the fringe of memory and gave him comfort, even now.

  “It’s obvious she’s interested in you too, so what’s the problem?”

  Roman inhaled. “I don’t want to hurt her and everything about this coin toss and my plan reeks of her dad, Russell Bronson.”

  “Damn.” Chase pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “I’ll take that as an agreement.”

  “So who’s in the running instead?” Chase asked.

  Roman watched as a breeze blew through the branches on the not-yet-budding trees. Only the yellow forsythia and the newly green grass added color to the setting below. As he stared down, a distant memory came into focus, of a family picnic he’d had here, one planned by his mother in an attempt to get his workaholic father out for fresh air and time with the kids. He could almost smell the chicken sandwiches his mom had made and hear his father’s voice as he coached Rick on how to hold a bat while Raina pitched the ball.

  When it came to his own child, Roman couldn’t imagine any woman other than Charlotte playing the role of wife and mother—but neither could he picture himself settling down into the family role at the expense of the career he’d built and loved. But a child was in his future. And he didn’t want to make that child with any woman other than Charlotte.

  “No one else is in the running.”

  Chase came up behind him and slapped him on the back. “Then I suggest you figure out a way to convince the lady she can accept a long-distance marriage, little brother.”

  Now, that was a challenge, Roman thought. Charlotte wasn’t ready to hear the words marriage or babies coming from his lips. Hell, he wasn’t sure he was ready to say them either. But he had to begin somewhere. “What’d you tell me when I wanted to do my first interview and I chose the mayor?” He’d been sixteen and convinced he could take on the world as a reporter.

  “Start slow and learn as you go. Same words Dad told me. You impress me. I can’t believe those words penetrated that thick skull of yours.” Chase grinned.

  “You mean since I parked outside the mayor’s office until he’d answer my questions, instead of going to the president of the PTA like you suggested?” Roman laughed at the memory.

  “When it comes to Charlotte, I’m going to follow your old advice,” he said to Chase. “But don’t let it go to your head.”

  Roman would start slow. Spending time and getting to know her again would be a pleasure. He didn’t have to worry about seduction. The attraction handled itself whenever he and Charlotte were together. If things worked out, he’d have the career he loved, and the woman he’d always wanted, not just in his bed, but in his life.

  He started for the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  He turned back to Chase. “To make sure I get under Charlotte’s skin and into her life—to the point where she never wants me out.”

  Charlotte closed the store for the day at five. Saturday night was officially upon her
. She rubbed her eyes and glanced up at Beth, who was twirling a pencil between her hands. “What are you thinking?” Charlotte asked her friend.

  “Nothing.”

  “Baloney. You’ve been avoiding any serious talk with me for the last two weeks. You need a friend and I’m it. So please, let me help you.”

  Beth shook her head. “I wish I could, Charlotte, but you wouldn’t understand.”

  Charlotte wondered if she should be offended. “Do I look that unfeeling to you?”

  “No, just set in your beliefs. Any relationship that resembles your mother and father immediately gets your stamp of disapproval. I’m just not up to hearing it.”

  Charlotte’s heart hammered in her throat as she walked over to her best friend. “I never meant to pass judgment. I just hurt for you. If anything I said or did came off harshly, I’m sorry. But Beth, you’re a beautiful woman, engaged to a man you love, and you’re still miserable. Why?” Charlotte swallowed hard, not wanting to sound disapproving. “Because you’re here and he’s in the city?”

  Beth shook her head. “Not just that.”

  “Please explain things to me. I promise to listen, not judge.” Charlotte tugged on Beth’s hand and led her to the chairs in the waiting area. “I’ll get us something to drink and you can talk to me, okay?”

  Seconds later, a can of soda popped for each of them, Charlotte joined Beth. She curled her legs beneath her. “So you two met over Christmas?” She brought Beth’s memories back to the beginning.

  “Yes. Norman had his annual party and David was in town visiting the Ramseys—Joanne is his mother’s sister. Anyway, we were introduced, started talking … I fell for him that night. I just knew he was the one.”

  “What’d you talk about? How did you know he was the one?” Charlotte leaned forward, dying to hear that her suspicions about David were wrong, that he and Beth truly had more goals and interests in common than she’d seen so far.

  “His job, mostly. He has famous clients, but he also had everyday women who needed a change to make the most of their potential.”

  “Sounds interesting,” Charlotte lied. “And when he walked you home, did he kiss you under the stars?” For Beth, Charlotte wanted the happily-ever-after story she’d yet to come across on her own.

  “No. Actually, he was a gentleman. He kissed me on the cheek and …”

  Charlotte placed her hand over Beth’s. “And what?”

  “Gave me his card. He said if I was ever in New York, to look him up. That he was certain he could maximize my beauty.”

  Charlotte’s stomach plummeted, her fears coming to life. “Beth—I’m going out on a limb here, so hit me if you have to—why did you feel like you had to maximize what was already beautiful? None of us are perfect, honey.”

  “Well, I wasn’t attracting the right man as I was,” she said defensively.

  “Because Yorkshire Falls doesn’t have all that many right men.” Except Roman.

  Charlotte shook the traitorous thought aside. He was the wrong man, right for only a few weeks, she brutally reminded herself. Then she turned her attention back to Beth. “What happened next?”

  “I took a trip to New York. I’d always wanted to see a Broadway show and so I convinced my mom to go for the weekend. We stayed in a hotel, took in a show—my treat— and spent a nice weekend.” She bit down on her lower lip. “I sent Mom home on Sunday and on Monday I looked David up at his office. Things took off from there. A month later, we were engaged.”

  “After you’d undergone implant surgery?”

  Beth’s glance darted away. “He was amazing. So focused on me and my needs.”

  On what he wanted to create, Charlotte thought. The man wasn’t interested in the incredible woman Beth already was. She downed a sip of soda. “Did you make a lot of trips there?”

  Beth nodded. “And he came up most weekends after that. We had such incredible plans,” she said, her eyes lighting up with the memory, but the hint of sadness and reality remained. “He has this beautiful penthouse. You can see the East River and the shopping is incredible. There are baby stores galore. We agreed we wanted kids right away and he said he wanted me to stay home and raise them.”

  “Can I ask you a personal question?” One Charlotte knew would sound judgmental and biased based on her mother’s experience, but in Beth’s case, Charlotte had a hunch she was dead-on accurate.

  “Go ahead,” Beth said warily.

  “A man with his money and your shared dreams—why didn’t he suggest you move to the city to be with him now? He could certainly afford it, so why be separated?”

  “Because he believes in a traditional courtship! What’s so wrong with that? Not every man who doesn’t stay in Yorkshire Falls is a creep like your father.” Beth’s eyes opened wide, then filled with tears. “Oh, God, I’m sorry. That was an awful thing to say.”

  “No, it was just honest,” Charlotte said softly. “I’m asking valid questions and you’re defensive. What are you afraid of, Beth?”

  “That he’s found someone else that interests him more.” Her friend swiped at her eyes. “He’s been engaged before to a patient,” Beth admitted.

  “To a patient?” Charlotte had a feeling Dr. Implant was more of a Svengali—a man who fell in love with his creations, not with the women inside the bodies he fixed, and one who lost interest once he discovered another project.

  In Beth, he’d found the ideal subject, because despite her all-natural good looks, she’d never quite felt perfect, something Charlotte knew from their teenage years. Though she never was certain why.

  “So he wasn’t interested until you decided to go along with his plastic surgery suggestions, was he?” Charlotte hoped she’d walked Beth through this painful realization slowly enough so as not to force the conclusion upon her.

  “No,” she said softly. “And I’ve sensed the truth for a while. Even when he was here, he was distant. If we discussed anything, it was about changing me.” Beth’s eyes filled again. “How could I have been so stupid? So desperate?”

  Charlotte grasped her friend’s hand. “You’re not stupid or desperate. Sometimes we see what we want to see because we want something so much. You wanted a man to love you.” She glanced down at the cola can in her hands. “We all want that.”

  “Even you?”

  Charlotte let out a laugh. “Mostly me. I’m just more aware of the pitfalls than most because I’ve seen what my mother went through trying to keep a man who didn’t want to be tied down.” She twirled the can between her palms. “Why would you think I don’t want more out of life? Like someone to love me?” Feeling the heat of Beth’s stare, Charlotte lifted her gaze.

  “Because you’re so independent. You left, went after your dreams, came back, and fulfilled them. I stayed here in a dead-end job until you pulled me into fashion, something I’ve always loved. But it took your guts to get me to make a move in the right direction.”

  “You had your reasons for staying, and they were right for you.” Charlotte glanced around her and took in the store, decorated in frilly white eyelet and lace. “I couldn’t have done all this alone. You’re partly responsible for our success. Look at this place and be proud. I am.” She settled her stare back on Beth, waiting until her friend acknowledged the truth with a small nod. “I’m not sure where the insecurity comes from, but now that you’re aware of it, you can work on strengthening your self-confidence.”

  “The insecurity was always there. I doubt you know what that’s like—”

  Charlotte shook her head. How could Beth view Charlotte’s less-than-perfect life through such blinders? “You are so wrong. Of course I understand insecurity. I just believe in working on it from the inside out, not the outside in. That explains the philosophy behind this shop!”

  “I suppose I should take lessons.” Beth forced a smile. “Is Roman a part of that working on it you spoke of? You won’t let yourself get involved. Is it because you know what’s best for you?”

 
Charlotte sighed. Now how to explain to Beth her change regarding Roman? “Roman’s different. Our relationship is different.”

  “Aha! So there is a relationship.”

  “Short-term,” Charlotte qualified. “We both know the rules going in.”

  “I always knew there was something between you two. Do you realize he only dated me after you two had gone out that one night and things didn’t work out?”

  Charlotte shook her head. Now wasn’t the time to add to her friend’s insecurities. Besides, she’d never thought Roman turned to Beth on the rebound. Charlotte hadn’t let herself believe she’d meant that much to him. But thinking of it now, her stomach began to flutter at the possibility.

  But Beth’s ego needed boosting right now, not Charlotte’s. “Give me a break. You were the perky head cheerleader. He couldn’t resist you,” she said, revealing what she’d believed in her heart at the time.

  Beth rolled her eyes, amusement and humor back at last. “We had fun, but that’s all it was. Nothing serious or irresistible about it. I was getting over Johnny Davis, and Roman was getting over you.”

  “Beth …”

  “Charlotte …” her friend parroted, hands on her hips. “Now it’s my turn to explain some facts of life to you. There are different kind of guys and relationships. There’s the forever guy, and then there’s the rebound guy. Also known as the interim guy. The one you have fun with and move on. That was Roman for me, and me for him.” She paused in thought. “I think it’s time you figure out what Roman is for you.”

  “How did you manage to turn this conversation back to me?” Charlotte asked.

  “Because we’re friends, like you said. You need me as much as I need you.”

  “Well, I promise to explain Roman to you one day.” When she could explain him to herself.

  Beth glanced down at her watch. “I’ve got to go. Rick will be here any minute.”

  “That playboy is the last man you should be getting involved with! Especially while you’re still engaged.”