Chapter Eleven
A Previous Engagement
Charlotte sat on the edge of the bed, feeling like an idiot. She had been here all of one hour and already everything was falling to pieces. The plan seemed simple: come to Haven with Jordan and find out where George Lovett kept his files. It should have just been a case of waiting for the right opportunity to sneak a look, although the fact that Jordan was sleeping in the same room she was made it more difficult.
But if she wasn’t allowed to make a move without Jordan, then it was going to be completely impossible. And who did he think he was, anyway, shouting at her like that. She scowled, pushing away the twinge of guilt that maybe she shouldn’t have said that thing about him needing to pay for company. Ok, she definitely shouldn’t have said that. But if he wasn’t such a jerk she wouldn’t get wound up. He seemed to have a knack for pushing her buttons.
A tap on the door startled her out of her thoughts. “Come in.” It was him. She crossed her arms and glared at him, ready to be told off again.
He closed the door behind him and then sat on the sofa. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I’m stressed and I took it out on you. I was wrong.”
Well, that was unexpected. She wasn’t sure how to deal with a complete apology. “I’m sorry, too. Forget it.”
He didn’t look any happier. In fact, he looked like he’d been kicked. She furrowed her brow. Had something happened? “Is your father alright?”
“He’s fine.” He sighed. “It’s Lauren.”
“I see.” Charlotte waited, letting the silence fill the room. She didn’t understand why he hated Lauren so. Charlotte couldn’t imagine ever being friends with the woman but it wasn’t like she was the devil or something. George Lovett clearly adored her and surely whatever made him happy should make Jordan happy, shouldn’t it? But Jordan didn’t seem to be able to say her name without looking like he wanted to spit.
Finally, Jordan spoke. “I told her we’re engaged.”
Charlotte’s train of thought skipped the rails. “You what?”
“I told her we’re engaged. Look, I told you not to leave me alone. This is the direct result.”
“You did what? And this is somehow my fault? Jordan, what the hell?”
He put his head in his hands. “I... she was...” He didn’t seem able to complete a sentence. “I’m sorry.”
As if that explained anything. “Why?”
“Because she told me I was a flop with chicks.”
Charlotte rubbed her temples. Was it possible that she was completely misunderstanding him? Because nothing he said made sense. “You told Lauren that we’re engaged because she questioned your virility? Have I got that right?”
Jordan’s head snapped up at that. “She did not question my virility. My virility is not in question and Lauren damn well knows it.”
Charlotte blinked at him in confusion. “Lauren knows it? I feel like there’s some context here that perhaps I’m missing.”
“She’s my ex.”
“Eww,” said Charlotte before she could catch herself. And then, “Oh,” as she thought it through. “And she’s marrying your father?”
“Yes. And she’s been hinting that she’d like to hook up or something. That’s why I asked you to come. I just wanted to keep her away from me.”
She’d heard the rich and famous were terribly incestuous, but this was beyond her wildest imaginings.
“That’s so...” she shook her head. There were no sympathetic words here. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I know. If you want, I’ll up your fee.”
She laughed. “Up my fee? Is that your answer to everything?”
“Jesus, I know it’s bizarre.” He glared at her. “You aren’t seriously blaming me, are you? You look like you are edging away.”
“I’m just not sure I’m up to living in a soap opera. Life in Haven,” she said. “Sorry. It’s just a different world from what I’m used to. I’m not judging...”
“No, Charlotte. No. This is not normal. Not for me, not for Haven, not for anyone. Please, do not sit there and act like this is just some sort of weird rich-people thing the Lovetts do all the time.”
At that, she laughed despite herself. It was nice to hear he knew it was bizarre. Still, she couldn’t imagine how someone would get into that situation in the first place. Maybe having too much money was just boring and they had to find drama to keep themselves distracted from the tedium of counting money. She’d like to be bored like that, just for a short time.
“That’s why you were so angry at me for leaving the room.”
“Yes. And because I feel stupid that I effectively need a bodyguard in my father’s house. But I’ll do anything to keep George from finding out, which means keeping Lauren away from me without making her feel like I’m rejecting her. Because she’s mean when she doesn’t get her way.”
“But if you are marrying someone else, then it’s not about her.”
“Right.” He at least had the decency to look embarrassed. “Also, I was angry.”
“At being called a flop with chicks.”
“Twice in one hour, if I understood you correctly.”
Charlotte winced. “Sorry,” she said again. Her outburst really was uncalled for, especially now that she understood why he wanted her at his side. Not to control her, but to keep Lauren away. “I didn’t take it seriously. It won’t happen again.”
Jordan took a deep breath. “The thing is… now it’s a joint engagement party on Sunday night.”
“Oh, please, stop.” Charlotte covered her face with her hands. “Seriously?” Would this nightmare never end?
“Yes, seriously.” He crossed to the bed and sat next to her. “Charlotte, I’m sorry. This is a mess and I’m sorry I dragged you into it. But I need you now. She’s telling George as we speak and there’s no way I can explain this. I’m going head to head with him on a dozen business issues and if it makes him happy that I’m settling down, then at least that’s something in my favor.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “I know it’s bizarre and stupid and unbelievable. And I can’t tell you how much it would mean to me for you to help me through this. Just these few days.”
She was still shaking her head in disbelief but what could she say? “Ok, I guess?”
He hugged her from the side. “Thanks, Charlotte. I appreciate it.” He got up. “She’s distracted now, telling everyone my good news. Our good news.” His laugh was rueful. “I guess I’ll take the chance to talk with George before dinner. He’s furious about the company daycare I set up.” At the door, he paused. “I meant it about upping your fee, you know.”
“Forget it.” Charlotte waved him away. “I’ll get changed for dinner and come down as quickly as possible. Where do you want me?”
“Come to the sitting room. I’ll need moral support.”
“I’ll be there.”
She stayed on the bed for a moment longer after he’d left. It was foolish to feel sorry for him. Talk about first world problems: your ex-girlfriend is dating your father and you are still carrying a torch for her. She would love to tell her parents about this, because she knew they would share her ghoulish curiosity, like rubbernecking at a car crash. But that would involve explaining why she was here and um, no. Not until she had something solid.
Which was another problem. How the hell was she supposed to have a snoop around if he wanted to know where she was every second of the day. But she’d cross that road when she came to it. Right now, just making it through the weekend seemed like challenge enough.