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“Can you share it with us?” Hope asked in a gentle voice.

Fancy reached over and rubbed her arm. “This is a non judgement zone.” Charlotte had the impression Fancy knew more than she was letting on to the others. Charlotte recalled their conversation where Fancy had urged Charlotte to go for Marc if her heart so desired. She hadn’t been ready then to be completely honest. Now she was.

“I’m dating Marc.” Charlotte forced the words out of her mouth.

“Marc who?” Morgan asked, looking perplexed.

“Marc,” Charlotte repeated. “Marc Cabron.”

“Whoa,” Callie said, her big eyes making her look like an owl. “You’re not teasing, are you?”

“No. This isn’t a joke,” Charlotte said in a firm voice.

“Seriously?” Olivia said, letting out a low whistle. “I did not see this one coming at all.”

“When did this happen?” Hope asked. “I must have had my head in the clouds. Or maybe I was changing diapers.”

“It’s been coming on gradually. We’ve just been seeing each other for a short time, but I really like him. A lot. And I shouldn’t have hidden it from you guys. You’re my best friends and business partners. I was just afraid of appearing disloyal to Fancy and Case.”

“That’s crazy talk,” Fancy said. “I’m happy for you. And Marc. And I know Case will learn to accept it. It may take him a little time, but he’ll get there.”

Charlotte let out a shaky laugh. “Can you tell Case for me?”

“Tell me what?” The sound of her brother’s deep voice came from behind her. She whirled around. He was standing in the doorway of the parlor, a perplexed expression etched on his face. Charlotte’s heart sank to the bottom of her stomach. How much had he overheard? How could she ever explain this to her brother?

“Facing our fears is the most important part of growing. Love gives us strength to face our darkest hours. It has healing powers.”

Oliva Renault

Chapter Eight

Charlotte couldn’t remember a time when she’d felt so put on the spot and tongue-tied. It seemed as if cotton was stuck in her throat. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. How could she even look Case in the eye and tell him about Marc?

Please Lord. Help me find a way to tell Case about Marc. I love my brother so much. He’s been my lifeline for so many years. I can’t bear the thought of losing him.

“Hey,” Case said, looking around the room. “What’s going on? What did I just walk in on?”

The ladies all looked at each other, communicating silently with their eyes and subtle hand motions. One by one they got up and greeted Case before making excuses about getting back to work. It was just Charlotte, Case and Fancy remaining in the room. Fancy stood up and said, “I really need to go and make this phone call.”

“Hey babe. Where are you going? I came by to see you,” Case said, pulling Fancy to his side and placing a kiss on her lips.

Fancy stroked Case’s cheek and looked at him with love shining forth in her eyes. “Honey, I think you need some time to sit down and talk to Charlotte. You came at the perfect time.” Fancy moved away from Case and sent an encouraging nod to Charlotte before she left the room and closed the door behind her.

Case threw up his hands. “What did I say to make everyone clear out?”

Charlotte began plucking the fabric in her seat. She couldn’t make eye contact with her brother. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him sit down in the chair next to her.

“Charlotte. Look at me,” he said in a gentle voice. She swung her gaze up and met Case’s stare. “What’s going on? You’re scaring me. Is this about…what happened at the studio?”

“No!” she cried out, shaking her head vehemently. “It has nothing to do with that.”

Case’s shoulders sagged. He let out a deep breath. “I’m happy to hear it. So why did everyone beat a fast path out of here? And why do you look as if your dog died?”

“I have to tell you something,” she blurted out.

He raised his eyebrow. “Go on,” he prodded. “You know that you can tell me anything.”

“I’ve started seeing someone.”

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