Page 33 of Runaway Pride

Ryan did well, and his scheme was ingenious. Nevertheless, it wasn’t going to last.

“I have to go now,” Charlie said, looking at the time. “Thanks for holding on as long as you could.”

“Sure. Can I get my car back?”

“Not yet. Bye.” She hung up hastily and took another stock of herself in the mirror.

She chose a Bardot midi sundress in rose blush, her hair shaped in a loose chignon behind her head. Stacked skinny rings wrapped her index fingers and thumbs, and she chose white ankle wrap wedges. Going for the fresh summer look, she felt herself adequate before picking up her things to leave.

When Gemma or Gisele hosted events, they were lavish and intricate. The summer picnic festival was flourishing. The ladies did a fantastic job with amazing attention to detail on the decorations. Freshly trimmed lawns formed a vision of healthy vegetation. The main golf course sat above a hill, making it a prime location for pictures during sunrises and sunsets.

The preparations started early in the morning when the florists arrived with the flower arrangements. In the main courtyard, each table was decorated with wreaths, candles, plates, and silverware. String lights lined together to form a canopy above the tables, adorned with yellow tulips facing downward.

Charlie arrived a little before noon, intending to peek at who would be coming. The Tattle Twins invited the world, and Charlie would be shocked if her mother wasn’t there. It only occurred to her that morning that Grace Kim would show up and, therefore, she might seeRick.

Not that it would be a bad thing, but maybe it would be a badthing? Charlie already knew the reaction she’d get: disdain. She didn’t want to put him through that kind of treatment and considered canceling.

But, on a more selfish level, she really,reallywanted to see him.

Funny how that came to be, when for the last decade, they were more or less strangers.

She had offered to pick him up, but he wanted to work a bit and would meet her at the club, which gave her some time to survey the environment. So far, a good crowd had already gathered.

Her crossbody purse slid loosely by her waist, and she took another sweep around the venue before ducking into a tent to find the hostesses. Inside, where people dressed in chef’s outfits gathered, was Gisele on her phone. After spotting Charlie, she waved.

Charlie waved back, then pointed outside. Coming out, a few familiar faces greeted her, but she was too eager to engage in small talk. Her watch read seventeen past noon, and Rick had said he was going to be a little late.

No signs of her mother so far, and the woman was notoriously early to events. This was good. Maybe Grace had better things to do, like dead-heading her petunias. Charlie prayed so.

She didn’t know how to feel about introducing Rick to her friends. He’d agreed to be her date and nothing else. They would have to keep it as casual as possible. But she knew her girlfriends; they would attempt to get something out of him. Like piranhas, they would chew until?—

Just then, a presence came by her side. Charlie smelled his cologne before she saw his face, and when she did, her body went radioactive.

“Oh,” she breathed.

Dark blue polo shirt that framed and showed off his firm biceps. Tanned chino pants covered his long, sturdy legs, completed with dark blue boat shoes that looked quite new. Hishair was combed back but curled around the crown, and the stubble on his jaw grew out more, making him sleek yet rugged.

“Hey, sorry I’m late,” he greeted.

She fought the urge to touch him; the feeling oddly becoming more and more prevalent.

“Traffic was bad on the way here,” Rick told her. “And it took a good while to get past the front doors here. Since I’m not a member, they had to triple-check if I was on the guest list.”

“Oh, you could’ve called me to come get you.”

“It worked out. The front desk was nice about it.” He scanned the area, whistling as he did. “Very fancy. Is all this fuss a regular thing here?”

“Well, itisa popular place to hold events. There are weddings practically every weekend.” She shifted, tilting her head to study him. “You look nice. Don’t you want to model for me?”

His crooked smile made her melt, but he ignored her last question to say, “You always look good.”

At the deepness in his voice, she gave into the impulse to touch him. An innocent swipe of the collar before sliding further down to his chest should suffice. His gaze slithered down to where her fingers were, and she saw the change in his eyes.

Unsure of her next move, she stood just inches from him. How did they get so close? The urge to lean in suddenly felt natural, and maybe she’d indulge. He was here as her date, after all.

“Charlotte.”

A voice that wasn’t Rick’s came from behind him, tearing her from her trance. He moved out of the way to reveal an older couple.

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