The Billionaire's Temporary Bride (Scandal, Inc #3)(11)

"Thinking about Jack?" Callie winked.

"No. Well, yes, but I was thinking about how much I can't marry him." Charlotte grabbed the hair pin and handed it to her friend.

"Come on. I saw the way you two were last night. You couldn't keep away from each other."

"That's because you put us together."

"I didn't do that," Callie said, looking puzzled. "I thought it was cute that you two switched seats so you could sit together."

"What?" Charlotte asked. "Are you saying he did that?"

"You didn't hear it from me, but I think he likes you. And you certainly respond to him. The slightest mention of him and your cheeks get flushed with excitement."

"More like annoyance."

"What do you have against him anyway? He's rich, handsome, and super successful. I think he's perfect for you."

"It's too bad I don't."

"Because it's my wedding day, and you're my best friend, I'll forgive you for not recognizing that he's perfect for you."

"Jack's not my type."

"Your type is fictional."

"My last boyfriend was nice and artistic and free-spirited."

"He was unemployed," Callie laughed. "He spent all day sleeping on our couch."

"But he had such pretty eyes," Charlotte said with a sigh. "Besides, what is it you think I'll be doing once I get back from the wedding if not spending a lot of time on the couch?"

"You'll be marrying Jack, of course," Callie said, twirling in her wedding gown to make Charlotte imagine herself in it. "Come on, consider it a wedding gift to me. What do you have to lose?"

Charlotte shook her head. "I don't have anything against him personally. I just don't want to marry someone I don't even know."

"Nonsense. You two were hitting it off last night. Everyone saw the sparks fly."

"He forced me to give a speech. I don't think those sparks were exactly the good kind."

"You hate speaking in public, and he got you to do it. You were great at it, by the way. Maybe he can help you come out of your shell a little bit."

"I rather like my shell. It's very protective," Charlotte said, crossing her arms.

Callie decided to change tack. "Let's try this a different way. What's your perfect guy like?"

"I don't know," Charlotte said. "Handsome, well-read, brooding, world-weary. Hot like Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights and witty like Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice."

"We know Jack's handsome. You can check that off the list. And well-read? He went to Harvard."

"It's different when you get in because your name is on the building."

"He's smart. You know it," Callie said.

"I want someone with emotional depth, someone who really cares about me, and every day I spend with Jack would be another day I'm not looking for the person I want to spend my life with."

"It's just a few months, Charlotte, and, in that time, you'll be able to do whatever you want. Write a book. Start a company. Learn to make artisanal cheese. It doesn't matter what you do with your days as long as you spend your nights with Jack Coburn for the cameras. Charlotte, have you seen him?"

"Of course I've seen him."

"Have you talked to him?"

"You know the answer to that."

"Then you know how perfect he is. He needs your help, and he's willing to make it very much worth your time. You'll walk away from this with more money than you could make in five years at your current job."


"Former job, remember?" Charlotte said.

"Exactly. More money than you'd make in a hundred years at your current, nonexistent job. All the more reason to go through with it. Plus, he lives in the same neighborhood as Logan and me. We could have dinner parties. You could crash at our place whenever you wanted."

"I don't know," Charlotte said. She knew Callie would take her indecision as a yes.

Callie grinned. "See, you're coming around, but don't take too long to decide. We need an answer before Logan and I leave for our honeymoon. Otherwise, we'll have to find someone else. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to turn my attention to my own wedding for a little bit."

"I'll think about it," Charlotte said.

"I'll take that for now," Callie said.

After another two hours of posing for photos at every stage of the preparation process, everyone was finally ready for the ceremony to begin. Charlotte followed Amy and Vi down to the mansion's library, where they would start their walk to the back lawn. Jack and the other groomsmen were already waiting.

"How's the bride?" Jack asked.

"Relentless," Charlotte said.

Jack laughed. "Sounds about right. Logan's pacing around in his room. I've never seen him this nervous. It's adorable. I wish I had a camera to commemorate the moment. This is why I love weddings."

"I thought you said you weren't a wedding fan," Charlotte said. Over Jack's shoulder, Amy Haven sat nearby, pretending she wasn't listening. Next to her, Amy and Callie's aunt Vi wasn't bothering with the pretense. She leaned forward, cupping her ear with her hand to eavesdrop better.