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“No way!” Charlotte said in a raised voice. “I object to working with that guy.”
Callie held up her hands. “Just hold on. Parker is tied up for months on projects. He says Marc is the best in this area. His company is really up and coming. For the last few years he’s been working overseas for major corporations and high-profile clients.”
“I have no problem working with Marc,” Fancy said. “He’s not a villain.”
“But will my brother have an issue with it?” Charlotte asked, referring to Case, Fancy’s fiancé.
Two years ago Fancy and Case’s engagement had been blown to smithereens after a friendship had blossomed between Fancy and Marc, an old high school friend. Although no lines had been crossed, Marc had fallen in love with Fancy. Case—proud and jealous—had broken off his engagement to Fancy after discovering that Fancy had been spending alone time with Marc while he was away on business. Thankfully, Case and Fancy had worked through their issues and gotten engaged again. Their Christmas wedding had been pushed forward to Valentine’s day due to a scheduling conflict at Savannah House.
Fancy didn’t seem to mind the change in plans since she now had more time to plan the big day. And according to her, Valentine’s Day was the most romantic time of the year to get married to the love of your life.
“He shouldn’t mind at all,” Fancy said in a spirited voice.
Charlotte shook her head, not buying it. “He’s your fiancé, but he’s also my brother. I think it might bother him.”
Fancy continued. “I honestly don’t think it will. Case has evolved in the last two years. Listen, guys. I know it may sound strange, but Marc is a really good guy. I don’t want him to be vilified because of the past. It isn’t right. People make mistakes. They shouldn’t have to suffer forever because of it.”
“I agree. He’s a really nice person.” Olivia chimed in. Charlotte glared at her. Olivia shrugged. “I’m just saying he’s not our enemy. Everyone deserves redemption. It’s not like he killed someone.”
He’d killed Case’s heart, Charlotte wanted to say, but thought better of it.
“But it could get messy,” Hope interjected. “What if he still has feelings for Fancy.”
“I don’t believe that to be the case,” Fancy answered. “I really don’t want to dredge up the past, but Marc was grieving for his fiancée, Gretchen, when he developed feelings for me. Truthfully, I don’t think his feelings for me had much substance.”
“It may not be wise though to wake sleeping dragons,” Charlotte said. “It might just stir everything up again if he’s working on our behalf.”
“We need the best available. We don’t even know if he can take us on yet, but I say we should hire him.” Olivia’s calm voice resonated in the room.
“Let’s take a vote,” Fancy suggested.
“All in favor raise your hand,” Callie said.
Charlotte looked around at the girls. She was the only one who hadn’t raised her hand. She felt a little shocked at the vote. Was she really the only one who saw Marc as a threat to Fancy and Case’s peace and security as a couple?
“I guess we’re going to contact Marc about working for us. I think it’s best if someone else deals with him though rather than myself,” Fancy said, her voice sounding calm and reasonable. “It will be more professional.”
“I’ll do it,” Olivia said, volunteering her services. “If he’s agreeable to meeting us, I’ll invite him over for afternoon tea.”
Charlotte shook her head with disbelief. What in the world had gotten into her best friends? Marc Cabron was not a good guy. He’d deliberately set out to break up Fancy and Case, all because he had wanted Fancy for himself. And he’d succeeded for a time in splitting them up. She couldn’t believe everyone had such short memories.
They could believe what they wanted to believe. Charlotte didn’t trust Marc Cabron as much as she could throw him!
* * *
Charlotte peeped out the front window, wanting to make sure she was the one to head their visitor off at the pass. Perhaps if she could talk some sense into Marc Cabron he would take the high road and refuse the assignment.
She watched him as he emerged from his dark, compact car. He was tall and lean, with a figure that seemed athletic and slightly muscular. He was wearing a dark pair of jeans paired with an oatmeal-colored sweater. He walked with a bit of a swagger, which immediately got on Charlotte’s nerves.
“Full of himself,” Charlotte muttered. Who did he think he was?
Just as he approached the front door, Charlotte sprang into action and wrenched it open, right before he could press the bell and alert the others to his presence at Savannah House.
Surprise registered in his eyes at the sight of her. “Good afternoon. Charlotte? Am I right?”
“Yes,” she said in a cool voice. “I’m Charlotte Duvall. Please come in.”
“Thank you,” he said, walking over the threshold and into the resort. Once inside, his masculine presence seemed to take over. His energy immediately filled up the space.
