“What did you tell her?” He knew Callie wouldn't intentionally say anything to make the situation worse, but she was still learning how to handle the media vultures.
“The truth. I told her I didn't know what she was talking about. I'm not sure that she believed me though.”
It wasn't a matter of whether or not Marcy Blake believed Callie. Rather it was what story would sell the most magazines. A story about him becoming a father would sure be a hit. Damn it. He'd managed to avoid negative publicity for months and now this had to surface just days before his sister's wedding. “Has she called anyone else?” He didn't need a lecture from his father.
“I don't think so. Dylan's been in Japan, he's coming home tonight. I haven't heard from anyone else.”
Callie sounded worried and Jake could picture her nibbling on her bottom lip like she always did when something bothered her. With the wedding only a few days away she had enough to worry about. He didn't want her thinking about this too.
“Thanks for the heads up. I'll take care of it. Don't worry. Go straighten out whatever problem you've got with the flowers. I don't want to have to pick flowers from the garden for you on Saturday.”
“Honestly, I'm tempted to let your mother deal with it. I think the florist is afraid of her.”
Jake didn't doubt it. A good recommendation from Elizabeth Sherbrooke, and the florist's business would sky rocket. At the same time a bad one and his business could go down the proverbial drain.
“You won't do that and you know it.”
“You're right, but it is so tempting. She'd have everything straightened out in no time.”
“All done with the seating arrangement?”
Callie groaned on the other end. “Don't ask.”
“Then you won't mind adding one more guest. I'm coming with a date. Someone I met up here.” Jake told his sister a little about Charlie before hanging up. Once he was done with his conversation, Jake remained sitting and stared out the window.
What the hell was Blair up to? Was she really that pissed? Sure he'd known she was angry but this was going a bit far. And what did she hope to accomplish? If she was pregnant did she expect him to marry her? Maybe if it was his kid, he'd consider it but there was no way it could be. He'd broken up with her more than two months ago and before that he'd been in England for a solid month. Their final month together as a couple they'd hardly ever seen each other. She'd spent most of that month out in California visiting family and he'd been in Virginia. Between all that time apart and the fact that they always used protection he didn't believe it was possible for her to be pregnant with his child.
In the driveway below he saw Charlie walking towards her car. Dressed in a navy blue t-shirt and denim shorts that showed off her lean shapely legs, she walked with her head held high and her back perfectly straight. What were her plans this morning? He'd hoped to see her before he headed over to the town hall to check on repairs. It didn't look like that was going to happen now.
As he continued to watch, she climbed into her car and drove away. So much for his good mood. Jake watched as the car disappeared from sight. Suddenly reluctant to start his day, Jake came to his feet. He had people waiting for him and a new scandal brewing. This was not the time for sitting around.
***
Once again Charlie found herself volunteering to play babysitter at the shelter while homeowners worked to get their lives back together. Thankfully several families had already left the shelter. They'd either made arrangements with other family members or found places to stay outside of town so there were fewer children around today. Despite the reduced number, Charlie still felt as if she'd landed on an alien planet. She just wasn't used to being around this many children all at once. She hoped the children didn't know how uncomfortable she was. Who knew how they might take advantage of her if they did.
“Can you help me? The eyes won't stick,” a young girl with curly blond hair asked holding up a pair of googly eyes.
Somehow she'd been left to supervise the craft table again that morning. Charlie looked at the paper bird set out on the table and back at the young girl who looked familiar. Not wanting to disappoint the little girl, she picked up the glue bottle and prepared to tackle the problem.
“Try using regular glue instead.” Charlie squirted two drops of Elmer's onto the paper bird's face. “It might work better than those glue sticks.”
The little girl smiled up at her, reminding Charlie of an old classmate. “Is your dad Don Sullivan?”
The girl nodded her head causing the blond curls to bounce wildly about her face. “People call him Donnie. They call my brother that too. They have the same name,” the little girl answered as she proceeded to color the feathers on her bird now that it had eyes.
Donnie had children? Wow! Now there was a shocker. She couldn't even picture him with a woman. In school he'd been the geeky nerd the other kids turned to when they needed help with their algebra. As far as she knew he never even had a date in high school. He'd taken his third cousin to the senior prom, though he refused to admit it. Obviously he had changed since then.
“This is a present for mom and dad,” the little girl said holding up her bird. “They can hang it up when we go home.”
Charlie stared at the lopsided bird with the googly eyes and colorful feathers unsure of what to say. How much did the girl understand? Did she know they might never return to the home she'd once known? She didn't know what damage her former classmate’s house had suffered but if the family was still at the shelter it must be significant.
“I'm sure they'll love it. Do you want me to write a message on it?” Charlie forced herself to smile.
The girl handed her a purple marker. “Love, Ellie.”
Charlie printed the words on the belly of the bird and handed it back.
“Thanks,” the girl said before sprinting off toward the other children.
With the departure of the little girl the craft table was empty and Charlie began to clean up the scraps of paper left behind. She tried not to think about the children playing tag further down the room. It was bad enough that the adults had lost everything but at least they understood. The children didn't. She'd overheard them talking and many seemed to think they'd be going home any day now; back to the homes they'd always lived in. It just wasn't fair. Children deserved a chance to grow up without worries or loss. There would be enough opportunities for that when they grew up. They shouldn't have to face it now.
Life isn't always fair. Charlie knew that first hand. If it was, her father wouldn't have walked out on her and Sean. Regardless these children would survive their loss just as she had. It might not be easy, then again few things in life were.
Like the old saying went, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger? As far as Charlie was concerned, truer words had never been spoken.
After she finished cleaning up the craft supplies, Charlie crossed to the other side of the room where Lizzie was organizing a game of musical chairs. It looked as if Lizzie needed some help as she tried to explain the rules of the game to a group of children. From the expressions on their faces, Charlie guessed that they had never played before. She'd never considered musical chairs a complicated game, but the confused expressions on the children's faces told her that was strictly a matter of opinion. Just like everything else in life. “Do you want me to try explaining it?” Charlie asked.
***
“Thanks for coming with me,” Charlie said pulling into the Hamilton Mall parking lot the next afternoon. With the wedding in Newport only two days away she needed something to wear.
“I'm glad you asked,” Jessica answered. “I still can't believe Jake Sherbrooke asked you to be his date. Are you nervous?”
Charlie ran through a mental inventory of her emotions. Nervousness about meeting his family hovered around the edges of her mind while anticipation all but consumed her. Since the night on the yacht, Jake hadn't made any attempt at intimacy, yet she expected it to happen t
his weekend.
“It's only a wedding.” Charlie pulled open the door to Macy's.
Jessica stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide and her lips parted in surprise. “How can you say that? It's all the media is talking about. Hollywood stars and multimillionaires are going to be there. Not to mention Jake Sherbrooke is your date.”
“I didn't say I wasn't excited. Just that I'm not all that nervous,” Charlie answered with quiet emphasis. “Now are you going to help me find a dress or not?”
Jessica began moving again. “Are we looking for something blue or is that not your favorite color anymore?”
“Jake said the bridesmaids are wearing royal blue so unfortunately I need to pick something else.”
“Too bad you don't like yellow. Supposedly it's the in color this season.”
A sense of guilt pressed down on Charlie as she watched Jessica stroll between the racks of dresses. In high school they'd been the closest of friends. Over the years though she'd made little effort to stay in contact, yet Jessica still remembered what colors she preferred. Now that she had reconnected with Jessica she wouldn't let that happen again. When she returned to Virginia she would make an effort to keep in touch.
Charlie pushed the guilt away and stopped at a rack of dresses. “What do you think of this one?” Charlie held up a simple black cocktail dress.
“You can't wear black to an afternoon wedding.” Jessica grabbed the dress out of Charlie's hands and held up a floor length lilac gown. “This one would work though.”
It took them several tries but after two hours of shopping they agreed on a strapless cream-colored floor length gown with an open back. With Jessica's help Charlie choose a pair of silver heels and a silver clutch that matched the silver beading around the sweetheart neckline.
With the purchases in the car, Charlie pulled onto the highway. “Thanks for your help. I would've ended up with that black dress if it wasn't for you.”
“Any time, Charlie. You have to come in when you drop me off. I have some jewelry that'll go perfectly with that dress.”
Chapter 6
Of all of the absurd things she'd done, this one topped the list. According to the media this was the wedding. Even her friends, who like her didn't care about the actions of the rich and famous, had been talking about this wedding for months. And it was hard not to. The President's formerly unknown illegitimate daughter was marring billionaire CEO Dylan Talbot who just happened to be the President's stepson.
Charlie couldn't help but think that she shouldn't be going. She had no ties to the family and had only known Jake for a couple of weeks. Yet even though she planned to tell Jake she'd changed her mind, each time she tried she couldn't bring herself to do it. How often did someone like her get to attend a wedding like this?
The prospect of seeing the wedding wasn't the only thing that held Charlie back from canceling. Though she hated to admit it, she was looking forward to spending a few days away with Prince Charming as the media like to call him. She knew he would be returning to Virginia soon. While the town wasn't yet back to normal, everything continued to improve and the day-to-day recovery operations didn't require Jake's attention. Besides who knew when his foundation's help would be needed elsewhere.
When he left she'd miss him. While they didn't live that far apart in Virginia they didn't exactly travel in the same circles. The likelihood of them seeing each other again was remote, which shouldn't have bothered her. Or at least she kept telling herself that as she packed.
You've got to get your head on straight. Enjoy your time with him but don't get attached. Once he leaves, that's it. Chances are he won't even remember your name.
A wave of sadness crashed over her at the thought of him forgetting her. Charlie knew she wouldn't forget him or the kisses they'd shared. Then again she didn't have gorgeous men throwing themselves at her feet left and right. Jake on the other hand had no shortage of women looking to spend time with him. Though he'd downplayed the number of relationships he'd been in, Charlie didn't doubt the number still far surpassed her not insignificant total.
Charlie balled up a t-shirt and shoved it into her bag, then zipped it closed. Damn that hurricane. It had upset more than just the town. It'd even managed to wreak havoc on her usually well-controlled emotions.
From now on she was going to keep her emotions in check. No longer would it bother her that Jake would soon be just a pleasant memory that she could share with her friends when she got home. With her mind made up she pulled the bag off the bed and headed downstairs.
***
Somebody needs to wake me. Charlie fidgeted in the front seat, her stomach churning with anxiety as Jake drove the Escalade through the security gate at Cliff House. Before she could stop herself she turned to look out the back window as the gate closed, keeping out any unwanted visitors including the numerous news vans parked on the street.
“I can't believe the reporters are here already,” Charlie said turning back around. “The wedding isn't until tomorrow afternoon.”
Jake reached over and took hold of her hand. Charlie knew he could feel how clammy it was yet he didn't comment. Thank God. Just having him know she was nervous embarrassed her. She didn't need him commenting on it too.
“They've probably been here all week. Imagine the disaster it would be if those vultures missed something.” Jake's tone told her all she needed to know about how he viewed the reporters.
After traveling down a long winding driveway, Jake pulled into a garage bigger than her house and filled with expensive cars. At the far end sat a black Aston Martin and next to it was a bright red Ferrari.
“Did you tell your family you were bringing a guest?” Butterflies took off in her stomach at the thought of meeting the owners of the cars parked around them.
“I told Callie. I'm sure she told everyone else.” Jake pulled the keys out of the ignition but didn't make any move to get out. “Don't tell me the doctor is nervous?”
Charlie licked her dry lips and looked everywhere but at him. She never suffered attacks of nervousness, yet a mammoth butterfly fluttered around in her stomach now.
Reaching out Jake cupped the side of her face. “You shouldn't be nervous. My family is a little annoying but generally harmless.”
A sarcastic laugh escaped Charlie. “Your father is the President of the United States. He's the most powerful man in the world. I wouldn't call him harmless.”
Jake shrugged and threw her a carefree grin. “Don't worry Doc, I'll protect you. Promise.” Without hesitating he leaned closer and sealed his promise with a gentle kiss. A kiss that turned from gentle to hungry and urgent in the blink of an eye.
Man that guy kisses like nobody’s business. Charlie didn't want to think about all the practice he must have had to get that incredible. If she did, the ugly jealousy monster would begin to make an appearance again. Jealousy wasn't a rational emotion and definitely not one she had any right to feel.
Charlie knew the minute he decided to end the kiss. There was a subtle change in the pressure of his lips. It was always that way. For a moment she toyed with the idea of trying to get him to continue his heavenly onslaught. More than once she'd been able to do it. But today she doubted she'd be able to.
“I'd love to stay here with you all day, but they'll be wondering where we are. The Secret Service will have let them know we've arrived.”
Charlie nodded, not wanting to speak. If she did, Jake would know just how breathless his kiss left her and she didn't see any need to stroke the guy's ego.
“Just relax. Everything will be fine. You're going to have a great weekend.”
Jake didn't wait for a reply; instead he opened his car door.
“Enjoy yourself and think of all the stories you'll be able to tell people later,” she said under her breath as she waited for Jake to open her car door. A few weeks earlier she would have done it herself, but since spending time in his company she'd gotten used to him opening doors for her. While she'd nev
er admit it to anyone, she liked having him do it. It made her feel pampered and special. When they parted ways she would miss these unfamiliar feelings. I'm not going to focus on that now. This weekend is all about having some fun. Jake reached for her hand and they walked out of the garage and into the bright sunshine together.
They hadn't even made it out of the grand marble-tiled foyer with its pillars and vaulted ceiling when a petite woman with long mahogany hair and eyes identical to Jake's greeted them. Charlie may not read popular celebrity magazines often, but even she recognized Callie Taylor, Jake's half-sister. She'd thought the woman was pretty when she'd seen her in photos but they didn't do her justice. It was no wonder Dylan Talbot had fallen in love with her.
Jake enveloped the petite woman in a warm hug making it clear to Charlie just how much he cared about her. When was the last time Sean hugged her like that? The question popped into Charlie's head out of nowhere. Her brother never showed his emotions, even when they were younger. He didn't hug but rather gave a slap on the back. Watching Jake with his sister sent her back through her memories searching for the last time Sean had given her a hug even remotely close to the one Jake shared with Callie. It'd been right after their parents' divorce when she'd realized her dad wasn't coming home. Sean had hugged her as she cried and he promised that everything would be fine. Up till that day she had secretly hoped her dad still might come home even though he'd been gone a year. That somehow things would go back to the way they were before he walked out on them without even saying goodbye. Yet when her mom and Sean returned home from the courthouse that afternoon, she'd known life would never be the same.
“This is Charlotte.”
Jake's words pulled her away from her memories and back to the marble foyer.
The Billionaire Playboy Page 8