***
“Thanks for coming with me,” Charlie said pulling into the Hamilton Mall parking lot the next afternoon. With the wedding in Newport only two days away she needed something to wear.
“I'm glad you asked,” Jessica answered. “I still can't believe Jake Sherbrooke asked you to be his date. Are you nervous?”
Charlie ran through a mental inventory of her emotions. Nervousness about meeting his family hovered around the edges of her mind while anticipation all but consumed her. Since the night on the yacht, Jake hadn't made any attempt at intimacy, yet she expected it to happen this weekend.
“It's only a wedding.” Charlie pulled open the door to Macy's.
Jessica stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide and her lips parted in surprise. “How can you say that? It's all the media is talking about. Hollywood stars and multimillionaires are going to be there. Not to mention Jake Sherbrooke is your date.”
“I didn't say I wasn't excited. Just that I'm not all that nervous,” Charlie answered with quiet emphasis. “Now are you going to help me find a dress or not?”
Jessica began moving again. “Are we looking for something blue or is that not your favorite color anymore?”
“Jake said the bridesmaids are wearing royal blue so unfortunately I need to pick something else.”
“Too bad you don't like yellow. Supposedly it's the in color this season.”
A sense of guilt pressed down on Charlie as she watched Jessica stroll between the racks of dresses. In high school they'd been the closest of friends. Over the years though she'd made little effort to stay in contact, yet Jessica still remembered what colors she preferred. Now that she had reconnected with Jessica she wouldn't let that happen again. When she returned to Virginia she would make an effort to keep in touch.
Charlie pushed the guilt away and stopped at a rack of dresses. “What do you think of this one?” Charlie held up a simple black cocktail dress.
“You can't wear black to an afternoon wedding.” Jessica grabbed the dress out of Charlie's hands and held up a floor length lilac gown. “This one would work though.”
It took them several tries but after two hours of shopping they agreed on a strapless cream-colored floor length gown with an open back. With Jessica's help Charlie choose a pair of silver heels and a silver clutch that matched the silver beading around the sweetheart neckline.
With the purchases in the car, Charlie pulled onto the highway. “Thanks for your help. I would've ended up with that black dress if it wasn't for you.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Any time, Charlie. You have to come in when you drop me off. I have some jewelry that'll go perfectly with that dress.”
Chapter 6
Of all of the absurd things she'd done, this one topped the list. According to the media this was the wedding. Even her friends, who like her didn't care about the actions of the rich and famous, had been talking about this wedding for months. And it was hard not to. The President's formerly unknown illegitimate daughter was marring billionaire CEO Dylan Talbot who just happened to be the President's stepson.
Charlie couldn't help but think that she shouldn't be going. She had no ties to the family and had only known Jake for a couple of weeks. Yet even though she planned to tell Jake she'd changed her mind, each time she tried she couldn't bring herself to do it. How often did someone like her get to attend a wedding like this?
The prospect of seeing the wedding wasn't the only thing that held Charlie back from canceling. Though she hated to admit it, she was looking forward to spending a few days away with Prince Charming as the media like to call him. She knew he would be returning to Virginia soon. While the town wasn't yet back to normal, everything continued to improve and the day-to-day recovery operations didn't require Jake's attention. Besides who knew when his foundation's help would be needed elsewhere.
When he left she'd miss him. While they didn't live that far apart in Virginia they didn't exactly travel in the same circles. The likelihood of them seeing each other again was remote, which shouldn't have bothered her. Or at least she kept telling herself that as she packed.
You've got to get your head on straight. Enjoy your time with him but don't get attached. Once he leaves, that's it. Chances are he won't even remember your name.
A wave of sadness crashed over her at the thought of him forgetting her. Charlie knew she wouldn't forget him or the kisses they'd shared. Then again she didn't have gorgeous men throwing themselves at her feet left and right. Jake on the other hand had no shortage of women looking to spend time with him. Though he'd downplayed the number of relationships he'd been in, Charlie didn't doubt the number still far surpassed her not insignificant total.