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“Well I never asked him to change for me.”
“I know, but you also never gave him a chance.”
“I can’t believe this. My own sister’s turned against me.”
Emily looked as if Charlie had kicked a puppy. “No, I haven’t. I love you, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s too late for you and Josh, anyway.” She hugged her. “Please forget I said anything.”
Charlie returned the embrace, her anger gone immediately. She’d never been able to stay mad longer than a few seconds. “It’s okay. I just...”
“I know. I know how tenderhearted you are. You’d never hurt anyone on purpose, and it’s not your fault he fell for you. Don’t worry. I’m sure he’s completely over you by now.”
Charlie plastered a smile on her face, but her heart felt like it was stuck in her throat. Who was she kidding? She wasn’t any more immune to Josh than she’d ever been. If talking about him made her feel like this, what would happen when she saw him? Please, please, please let him be ugly now!
JOSH STOOD INSIDE THE church foyer and peered through the small window, gazing down the aisle at the wedding party already standing in place for the rehearsal. His eyes found her immediately. He felt a huge rock in the pit of his stomach. After all this time, he’d hoped she wouldn’t look as beautiful as he remembered. But she did. He’d wanted to discover his memory of her was flawed, that he’d built her up in his mind. But if anything, she was more striking than he remembered.
Her long brown hair cascaded around her shoulders, almost to her waist, in soft curls, framing a face with the most exotic golden eyes he’d ever seen. She was tall and thin, but not fragile. She had the muscles of an outdoor fanatic. But she looked thinner than he remembered. Was she okay? Had she been neglecting herself because of the pressures of going to school while working to support herself? What was he thinking? She wasn’t his to worry about. And she never would be.
He cursed under his breath. He’d once thought he could win her love by becoming the kind of man she wanted, but after she’d remained aloof for such a long time, he’d finally given up. He’d changed from a swinging single guy, constantly sporting one beautiful girl after another, to a totally celibate man who never dated. He’d thrown himself into his work at the hospital. And in his spare time he volunteered at the free clinic, keeping such late hours he sometimes fell into bed exhausted without eating dinner. He woke early to work out every day without fail, determined to beat his body into submission. H
e hoped his mind would submit also, so he could forget Charlie Best had ever come into his life.
After he’d given up on her, he’d tried to date again, but he couldn’t find anyone who appealed to him. No matter how smart, talented, or attractive the girl, he couldn’t rake up one iota of interest. He’d had plenty of offers, though. It seemed every single girl he met wanted to date him, but they were only interested in his money and his title—Dr. Josh Branson. So he’d abandoned dating altogether, concentrating solely on his work. When he heard Charlie was moving to New York, he allowed himself a tiny spark of hope he could give it one more shot, despite the fact she’d totally rejected him for two years. But everything changed today.
Today he discovered he needed a wife, and he needed one fast. For once in his life he had to be totally self-sacrificing. He’d been thinking and agonizing since he received the news that morning, and he’d made a decision. So now, instead of vainly attempting yet again to start a relationship with Charlie Best, he had to marry someone else, right away. After considering all his alternatives, he came to the conclusion there was only one girl who would understand and agree to marry him in such a short time span—Olivia Marshall.
Chapter Two
BY THE TIME JOSH WALKED all the way down the aisle to take his place beside Brad, Charlie was feeling faint. Probably because she’d been holding her breath. But he didn’t even look at her. Not once. It gave her plenty of time to look him over, though. He looked amazing, of course, and he hadn’t let himself go at all. With the greenest eyes she’d ever seen and thick blond hair against tanned skin, combined with a hard body that stretched against his shirt, she couldn’t help staring at him.
Why had she turned him down? It was hard to remember when her heart was pounding in her ears. Oh, that’s right. He’s a player. And when he said he loved me, he hardly knew me. He couldn’t possibly have had real feelings for me. It was only a physical attraction. And physical attraction wasn’t enough to build a life-long relationship. But she had to admit one thing... The physical attraction was still there. At least it was still there for her, but evidently not for him.
“Glad you finally decided to show up,” teased Brad.
“I came late on purpose—I didn’t want Grace to see how ugly you were compared to me and change her mind.” Josh winked at her and whispered, “It’s not too late. I’m still available.”
Grace laughed as Brad elbowed his friend in the ribs. “No, I’m happy with my choice.” She stood on her toes to give Brad a kiss.
“Hey. That part doesn’t come until the end of the ceremony,” Olivia objected.
“And I don’t want to see my sister kissing a guy. Not ever.” Spencer gave a wry grin.
“You do realize we’re getting married? Right?” asked Brad.
“Yes, but I don’t have to think about it. She’s my sister.”
When the pastor finally regained control of the proceedings, they quickly finished the rehearsal and headed downtown for the rehearsal dinner. Charlie managed to avoid coming face-to-face with Josh the entire evening, although one time she thought she sensed his gaze. Soon the boys left together for a “wild” bachelor’s party, which was supposed to include video games, but no alcohol, since both Brad and Josh were on call at the hospital.
The bridesmaids had a slumber party without a lot of slumber. Charlie and Emily’s mom, Anne, had arranged for someone to come to their house to give all the girls manicures and pedicures. Then they watched episodes of Gilmore Girls and ate junk food and practiced line dancing until they finally succumbed to exhaustion. Charlie’s aching heart was much revived by the night of fun and companionship.
The wedding was a whirlwind of music and pictures and laughter. Grace kept gazing into Brad’s eyes, forgetting to listen to the preacher and having to be prodded to speak when it was her turn. Charlie tried to focus on the bride and groom, but from where she was standing, her best view was of Josh’s face. One time she glanced his direction and caught him staring, but he quickly averted his eyes. They hadn’t spoken to each other, but she knew it needed to happen. It was her responsibility. After all, she was the one who’d rejected him, even though she knew he’d only been infatuated with her. When he claimed to love her, he barely knew her.
She wanted to put off the confrontation with Josh as long as possible, especially since he wasn’t paying her the slightest amount of attention. She knew they weren’t right for each other in her head, but physically, she couldn’t help responding to him. He was ridiculously perfect, and some part of her evidently wished he were still attracted to her.
At the reception, Charlie was seated next to Emily and Spencer, with Josh at another table, between Olivia and Brad. Charlie couldn’t stop her gaze from wandering to his table. He was laughing and joking as usual, completely oblivious to her presence. That was what she’d expected, wasn’t it? He appeared to have moved on, except he didn’t bring a date to the wedding. That probably just meant he was still dating around.
“... Right, Charlie?” said Emily.
“Right.” She snapped her eyes back to her sister, wondering what on earth she’d just agreed to.
