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The atmosphere between them was thick with tension, as if a hundred unheard sentences fought to get out. “I'm keeping my pants on, thanks,” he said.
Charlotte tried her best to compose herself, but she couldn't help the feeling of dread washing over her.
Herfaceflushed as she imagined Bastien consummating his marriage, and her heart splintered in two. He must have noted the look of anguish on her face, for he quickly cast his gaze downward.
“Like I said, this has nothing to do with sex. It's all for show.”
Charlotte tried her best to compose herself, but she couldn't help the feeling of dread washing over her. She knew Bastien had to get married in order to secure his future, but it still stung to think of him with someone. “Yes, I understand that.”
Bastien sighed. “It's just a person on my arm who can pass as my wife, so my mother can't use my bachelor status against me.”
Charlotte stood up, not wanting him to see how this conversation was affecting her. She glanced at Tilly's picture once more before closing the folder. “As much as you don't want to focus on women with children, they will be the most believable match and, honestly, a built-in family is hard to beat when it comes to an environment that could be good for Ivy. Not only is she getting a mother, but siblings as well.” She wasn't sure her argument was convincing, but Bastien nodded.
“Fine. We'll consider everyone.”
Once again, tires crunched on gravel. “That must be Margot.” Charlotte chanced a glance at Bastien and saw he had an expression of calm determination. “Let's do this.” She walked to the door and opened it, finding Margot with her hand raised to knock. Dressed in her blue Kessler Resort T-shirt and black slacks, Margot looked more put together than she remembered. In her memory, Margot usually wore a lot less clothing and significantly more makeup.
“Come on in.” Charlotte stood aside so Margot could enter.
Margot looked at her phone and smiled. “Will this take more than an hour? I have to be at The Kessler at ten.”
“We'll be quick.” She led her toward the kitchen, where she'd set the table up as if she were going to do a facial.
“Will I still get the fifty bucks if you speed through it?”
They entered the kitchen, and Margot's eyes latched onto Bastien. “Oh my, and who's this?” She made a beeline to him and ran her hand down his jacket sleeve. “I just love a man in a suit.” She winked and giggled. “Love them more when they're out of the suit.”
Poor Bastien looked up as if saying “save me.” His eyes were screaming, “No, she's not the one,” but he'd never say it out loud.
Charlotte wanted to smack Margot for being so forward, but she stepped between them and cleared her throat. “This is Bastien,” she said, forcing a smile. “I think you two should get acquainted while I get the products ready.” She could see by his expression that Margot would never do.
Bastien held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Margot.”
Margot shook his hand firmly and flashed him another flirtatious grin. “It's my pleasure.” She trailed her fingers down his arm again in an intimate gesture before letting go.
If Margot was already dismissed, and by Bastien’s hell-no expression, she was, then Charlotte would have to go with the ruse and give her the facial and fifty bucks.
Charlotte quickly moved to set up for the facial, putting some distance between them. She silently cursed herself for getting into this awkward situation. She knew from the beginning that this was going to be a problem.
“So, what brings you here, Bastien?” Margot asked, bringing Charlotte back from her self-flagellation to the present moment.
“My sister Chloe, who recently passed, lived next door. I've been coming here frequently.” He pausedand Charlotte felt his gaze linger, as if he wanted to say something else. “Charlotte and I have become close … friends.” He paused after the word “close” for an eternity, conveying a completely different meaning before finishing with “friends.”
Margot jokingly pushed Charlotte's shoulder. “You're keeping him a secret!”
Charlotte didn't know what to say; she had no desire to be the subject of gossip, but she was secretly pleased that Margot believed she and Bastien could actually be together. She quickly jumped in to diffuse the situation. “Oh no, we're—”
“Private people,” Bastien said with a firm nod.
Margot crossed her arms and pouted. “Not me. If I had someone like him ... I'd parade them all over town like a 4H prized pig.”
Charlotte couldn't help but chuckle at the image of Bastien being paraded around town. She sensed the tension between them and knew that she needed to lighten the mood before things got too awkward. “Let's get started on that facial, shall we?”
Charlotte could feel Bastien's eyes on her as she slathered green goo on Margot's face. She imagined he was questioning her ability to do the job. Hell, she was starting to think she couldn't.
Eventually she finished up Margot's facial and paid her the fifty bucks and walked her to the door. “Let me know what you think about the product,” Charlotte said.
Before Margot left, she said. “If you don't nab that one soon, someone else will.”
