Page 55 of Finding My Charming

Her voice got higher with each word. “Is that from Vincent?”

I bit my lip and nodded. I quickly typed out a response that I could meet him and set my phone back down.

“So, I’m assuming the rest of the weekend went well.” Sherrie had moved back to her computer but still had a smile when she met my eyes.

“It really, really did. I don’t want to jinx things, but I think he’s the one.”

Her eyebrows shot up as her jaw went down. “You’ve known him for a few days, Elle.” She paused and seemed to be composing herself. “Never mind. You’ve always been the responsible one. If you’re finally learning to think with your heart, then I’m happy for you, honey.”

“Finally?” I was thrown off by what she was saying. I knew she wasn’t trying to be rude, but it stung.

“Oh, I didn’t mean it that way. You’ve just always been the logical one of your sisters. You’ve always thought with your head and made the smart choices, but when have you ever just trusted your instincts and done something impulsive?” She gave me a kind look and waited.

I wanted to argue and say that I was spontaneous and took risks, but I knew she was right. I’d always been the cautious one. I thought about the risks, the potential cost, and benefits of almost everything I’d done. But it was this behavior that had gotten me a perfect GPA and into my number-one school. Nothing was wrong with having a well-thought-out plan. Nothing, except when I thought back to the things I’d missed out on. I didn’t regret any choices I’d made in my life. They were what had shaped me and defined my life, but who knew what thrilling experiences I could have had.

I’d been breaking all of my rules since I realized the charm had changed. Not only had things not gone horribly wrong, but I was enjoying life.

“I hadn’t thought about it like that before, but I think I’m learning that some things are worth taking risks.”

I turned to my computer and tried to focus on work.

Sherrie had bluntly stated what I was just discovering in myself, and I needed time to process. I didn’t want to continue missing out of new experiences because there were too many cons, but a girl couldn’t change her nature in one day. I would start out little by little. Like going to dinner tonight. It was unplanned and felt like it could be a big moment for us. It would be the first time we’d be alone, and normally I wouldn’t be ready yet. Last week I would have asked Ari and Calvin to join us, but not anymore. The new Elise was going to be more daring. Well, I would be after a pep talk from Ari.

I texted her, asking what she thought about the new development, and she surprised me by offering to meet for lunch to talk. She was willing to give up an afternoon of tanning, or shopping, or whatever people with freedom do in the middle of workdays.

The morning passed in a blur. The office had been busy lately, and Sherrie and I were feeling the effects. It felt like minutes had passed when I felt someone standing in front of me. I lifted my gaze from my screen, expecting to see a client, but found Ari smiling down at me.

“I thought we were doing lunch?”

The time on my screen read 12:13. I snorted. “It’s past noon? I had no idea.”

Ari smirked. “Yeah, you both were way in the zone when I came in. Busy day?”

I nodded while reaching for my purse and phone. “Do you want us to grab anything for you, Sherrie?”

Sherrie shook her head and waved us off as she answered the phone.

I joined Ari at the door and led us out. “What sounds good?”

Her smile grew, making me suspicious. “A salad or something light, since you have big dinner plans.”

“Okay…” I began listing off the restaurants close by.

“How about there?” She pointed directly across the street to Mad Guru’s. The one place I hadn’t mentioned.

I crossed my arms and gave her a stern look. “What are you trying to do?”

Her innocent grin remained, and she shrugged. She knew exactly what she was doing and I knew, too.

“Come on, Elle. It’s the closest place, and Sherrie mentions it every time I come in. I just want to see what all the hype is about.”

She turned and crossed the street, leaving me to either go back to work or follow her to a guaranteed awkward situation. Running away was not what the new, brave Elle would do. I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders before crossing and giving Ari one last glare as I walked through the door she was holding open.

I went directly to the front counter to order and held out a menu for Ari. “Don’t get the veggie wrap.”

“Noted.” She began scanning the items while nodding slowly. “What are you going to get?”

“Yeah, Elise? What disgusting thing are you going to order and complain about this time?”