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“I've got good news and bad news,” Jake told her over the phone one week later.
Charlie didn’t like the sound of that. In her book nothing good ever resulted when someone began a conversation that way. “Give me the good news first.” She cradled the phone against her ear as she continued to fold laundry.
“My lawyer got the ultrasound results from Blair's lawyer yesterday. Blair is 14 weeks pregnant. Her estimated conception date is in March. I was in England that entire month.”
“Sounds like great news so what's the problem?”
“She could claim she was with me. Technically we were still together then. Or she could argue it’s only an estimated date. The research I read said the technology is not one hundred percent accurate.”
Charlie didn't see his bad news as earth-shattering. There must be people in England that could confirm Blair hadn't been with him. “No, but its pretty darn good. Besides whoever you were visiting can confirm you were alone right?” Although he'd left out any names, he'd told her that he recently visited family in England during one of their conversations.
Jake remained silent on the other end of the line and a knot began to grow in Charlie's stomach. What was he hiding? Had he left out some important details when he'd told her about his trip?
“I can't. I was visiting my cousin. He was in drug rehab. If I tell the media who I was with they'll start digging and AJ's hospital stay would come out. Right now no one but me and his girlfriend know about it. He doesn't want the rest of the family to know yet.”
Charlie admired him for his sense of loyalty but didn't agree with his decision. If he could put an end to the speculation now, he should consider it. “Have you asked him?”
“Trust me, AJ can't handle it right now. I'll just have to wait it out. My lawyer is still pushing for DNA testing. Though her lawyer did suggest that she'd be willing to admit she might be mistaken in exchange for two million dollars. Apparently Blair is running a little low on funds.”
How could someone blow through the money Blair Peters made modeling?. She modeled for all the top designers as well as Victoria's Secret. Charlie didn't know what the going rate for a fashion model was, but it had to be way up there.
“For that kind of money she should come right out and tell the truth.”
“She wants to save face.”
Charlie couldn't contain her sarcastic laugh. “So it looks better to admit she was involved with two men at the same time?”
“I guess it does in her mind. Not that it matters. I'm not paying her anything.”
She still thought getting someone to verify his whereabouts during the month of March was the best solution. “Jake, maybe you should talk to your cousin. See what he says. He might surprise you.”
“What are your plans for this weekend?”
Jake's immediate switch in topics let her know he considered their previous topic closed for further discussion.
Fool. She wanted to reach through the phone and beat some sense into the man. “None, why?” she asked, choosing to take his hint and drop the subject.
“I thought we could spend it together.”
A warm sense of excitement spread through her. It occurred every time she anticipated spending time with him. And she wasn't sure she liked it. None of the men she dated in the past affected her this way, and she couldn't help but wonder if that meant her feelings toward Jake were developing into something she didn’t want to deal with. Every time they were together she tried to remind herself she wasn't looking for love. That she was only having fun with Jake. But somehow she suspected her heart was slowly getting invested in their relationship despite her efforts.
“What did you have in mind?” Charlie pushed aside worries for the moment. She could sort out her feeling later when they weren't on the phone.
“How does a weekend on Martha's Vineyard sound? I can pick you up and we can fly to the island together,” Jake said.
The worries she'd just buried exploded in her head again. How should she
interpret Jake and his actions? They never discussed an exclusive relationship, yet he treated it as one. He called almost every day. Sometimes they talked about nothing of importance. The weekend before he traveled up to see her and now he wanted to take her away. Just what was his game? Should she tell him she didn't want anything serious in her life? Or should she go with the flow and keep having fun? Eventually he would move on to someone else. She knew that like she knew the sun would rise tomorrow. So why worry about it now, right?
“It sounds nice. I've never been.” Charlie proceeded to put her clothes away while ignoring the uneasy emotions lurking just below the surface. By agreeing to go was she leading him on and giving him the wrong impression about what she wanted? If on the off chance he wanted something permanent between them, he had a right to know the truth.
Get serious. This is Jake Sherbrooke aka Prince Charming. Even if he wanted a serious girlfriend he wouldn't look at you.
Though it hurt to admit, Charlie's silent reminder to herself pushed most of her unease away. Another relaxing weekend with Jake sounded wonderful, so why should she deny herself?
“I'll take that as a yes,” Jake drawled.
Charlie closed the bureau drawer causing her reenlistment papers to scatter across the floor. She'd been prepared to fax them the day before, and then had gotten distracted. For whatever reason she'd hadn't gotten around to it yet. “You twisted my arm. I'll go with you.” She picked up the papers and put them back into their envelope.
