The Bachelor (17 page)

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.”

Beth laughed. “Rick and I are friends. F-R-I-E-N-D-S.”

Charlotte exhaled a sharp breath of relief.

“Rick listens and he makes me laugh. I need both right now. Talking to a guy is actually giving me the confidence to face
David—and my fears.” Her smile faded. “Then I need to face life on my own—and figure out who I am and what I need.”

“What if we’ve miscalculated David?” Charlotte felt compelled to ask. “What if he loves you and—”

Beth shook her head. “I’ll never know if he fell for me or the woman he thinks he made me into—did I tell you he wants to
fix my nose?”

Charlotte shot out of her seat. “Don’t you dare—”

“I’m too smart for that—thanks to you and Rick.” She hugged Charlotte tight. “You’re a good friend.”

“Ditto.” She squeezed Beth back.

A knock sounded at the door and Charlotte ran to get it.

Samson stood outside, his graying hair damp and a stack of letters in his hands. “Don’t you get your mail?” he muttered. “Leave
things outside and they’ll blow away or get wet in the rain. Here.” He shoved his hand out and waved a stack of letters in
her face.

“Thanks, Sam.” She took the letters out of his hand and dug into her pocket for the money she remembered shoving in there
this morning. “You know I never would have remembered to get those on my own.” She held out her hand, crumpled bills in her
fist. “Can you drop a bottle of soda off here if you get a chance, and keep the change, okay?”

He grumbled but took the money, a flash of gratitude in his dark eyes. “Anything else you can’t remember to do yourself?”
he asked.

She swallowed a laugh. “Stop by Monday morning. I’ll have a package or two you can drop off at the post office for me.” She’d
be finished packaging some panties among other things for her customers by then.

As a special part of her service, Charlotte liked to surprise customers with their special orders when she finished them early,
instead of calling and having them come to the shop to pick up their order. “How does that sound?” she asked Sam.

“Like you’re lazy. I’ll see you then.”

Charlotte grinned and locked the door again behind him. The poor, misunderstood man. She shook her head, then began sorting
through the mail when the phone rang. “I’ll get it,” she called out to Beth.

She grabbed the receiver. “Charlotte’s Attic, Charlotte speaking.”

“It’s Roman.”

His deep voice wrapped her in warmth and her insides twisted with longing. “Hi, there.”

“Hi, yourself. How’s it going?” he asked.

“I had an incredibly busy day. You should have seen the lines outside the shop.”

“I did. Couldn’t miss them. But I did miss you.” His voice dropped a husky octave.

Tremors of awareness rippled through her. “I’m easily found.”

“Can you imagine the headlines if I actually walked through the front door of your shop?”

She bit down on her lower lip. If her shop had been the beneficiary of today’s headlines, Roman had probably suffered in reverse.
“That bad?”

“Let me put it to you this way. I’ve been accused of cross-dressing by Chase’s secretary, called a potentially convicted felon
by my own mother, and more than one woman waved a pair of those panties you’re so fond of my way.”

“Oh, no.” Charlotte lowered herself into a chair, her stomach in knots over the thought of other women propositioning Roman.

“What’s wrong?” Beth came up from behind her.

Charlotte waved a hand to halt further conversation. “It’s Roman,” she mouthed and placed a fingertip over her lips.

Beth grinned and settled in to wait.

“Was it that bad?” Charlotte asked him.

“Bad enough that I was thinking of getting out of town for the rest of the weekend.”

Disappointment filled her and she realized how much she’d been looking forward to seeing him. Spending time with him. Consummating
their relationship. She trembled at the prospect, her body reacting to the mere thought.