Page 98 of Tempting Promises
My eyes widen at that. “Really?”
“First, I didn’t want to hear anything because I wouldn’t be able to lie about you being here as well. Second, I just...I need to focus on the contract, not deal with any outside influences.”
Charlotte and Aurora were insanely close when I was diddling with her fiddle. I’m a little surprised at how little she talks about her now.
“So after this ends in an hour, you’re planning to what?”
Charlotte laughs softly. “I was planning to get out of this dress, get in my pajamas, and watch a movie in my hotel room. That was before we ended up in a honeymoon penthouse. Now, I’m not so sure that being cooped up with you is a good idea.”
“Afraid you’ll want to get the hat from the car?” I tease.
Her green eyes meet mine. “Yes.”
The admission rocks me back a moment and I give her one of my own. “I’ve thought of doing it a hundred times.”
“That’s what I was afraid of.”
“Then what options do we have? I’m sure as fuck not staying in Grady’s hotel.”
Her mischievous smile grows. “I think that sounds like a perfect idea.”
“Not a chance, sweetheart.”
“Hmm . . .” she ponders, looking around. “Oh! I know.”
“I’m a little terrified.”
“I’m going to make you fall in love.”
Yeah, terrified was the absolute right response. “Umm . . .”
She shakes her head. “With my city.”
twenty-three
CHARLOTTE
The pain of my feet isn’t even a thing anymore. The city is alive and it’s feeding my soul.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Rowan says as we’re standing in the center of Times Square. “This is what you thought would make me fall in love?”
“Can’t you feel it?”
“Oh, I feel something,” he quips.
I ignore him because nothing in the world can make me upset when I’m here. Each year, my gran and pop would take us back to Manhattan so Aurora and I could see all the things our parents loved. Not that I could ever forget, it’s a part of my DNA. “You need to really feel it, in your soul. Come here,” I say, pulling him close. “Close your eyes.”
Rowan raises one brow. “And get mugged? No thanks.”
“Oh for fuck’s sake. You’re not going to get mugged. Stop being dramatic. Close your eyes,” I practically demand. He does it this time. “Now, listen to the sounds.”
“The sounds of sirens, music to my ears.”
I swear, he needs to be slapped some days. “Inhale through your nose. Do you smell that?” It’s a mix of roasting nuts, hot dogs, car exhaust, and life. “It’s the smell of living.”
Rowan opens his eyes, staring at me like I might be in need of medical intervention. “You’re kidding me, right?”
“You really don’t feel that?”
