Page 119 of Take It Offline
When Logan would take me to dinner, he’d make a show of sliding his black card into the bill without even looking at thefigure. What I’d give to be able to take care of this in the same way. But I need to know the damage. Ignoring it will only make things worse.
One look at the total, and I can’t decide whether I want to scream or cry. Bar staff, florist, catering… the whole fucking fundraiser.
I blow out a hot breath and slam the folder closed. “I thought Violet was paying for everything.” If my mother lied straight to my face, I’m not sure what I’ll do.
“They were sneaky about it,” Harvey says, his mouth turned down in frustration. I know how he feels. “Mrs. Williamson Cross organized all services on behalf of the foundation. Everything, down to the silverware, was booked under her name, but the bill came back to your parents. I’m sorry, Emma. I should have caught this sooner.”
“There are only two people to blame for this, and neither of them is in this room.”
Most people get it wrong. The full quote is “The love of money is the root of all evil.” Money alone has no ill will. It can be used for good just as easily as bad. But the love of it, a life spent in a constant need for more and more, until the value of it and the reality of what was done to gain it, loses all meaning. That’s what’s dangerous.
“What should I do?” I ask.
“There’s no choice now. They’ll have to sell. I’ve spoken to the event planners, and they’ve agreed to a delayed payment schedule as long as we can settle half of it by the end of the month.”
My heart sinks. That’s only two weeks away.
Harvey offers me a sad smile. He genuinely looks like he wishes he could fix this.
“Okay,” I say. “Let’s find the money, then.” I don’t have many options, but I have no choice.
Charlie is waiting exactly where I left him, and the sight of him is a relief. While everything is falling apart within me, he’s more solid than ever.
I always expected love to hit fast, like being thrown off a horse. One minute, all is right, and the next, the world is turned upside down.
In reality, it’s been slow. A gentle walk down a long path so smooth I didn’t notice how far I’d gone until I stopped and looked back.
It’s hard to pinpoint when I started loving Charlie. I only know that I do, and that it’s far from gentle. A part of it is soft and vulnerable, to be treated with care. But the rest?
Oh, it’s a force of nature.
Fierce and wondrous, deep and natural. Fighting it would be futile.
There’s a soft ache under my ribs, a muscle long unstretched, now unfurled between us.
Never could I have imagined it would feel so… endless. So energizing.
Never could I imagine I was capable of a love like this.
I’m happy to be surprised.
Charlie is playful and at times cocky, but he’s also quick-witted and more observant than he pretends to be.
He cares about Reese so much he loses sleep over it, but he would never burden her by saying anything. There are more dog toys than appliances in his apartment, a wardrobe James Bond would covet, and a box of mementos that makes my heart ache for him.
He’s a good man convinced he’s the muscle rather than the hero. Who quips and flirts and pretends he’s fine when, in reality, his feelings run rich.
And I know true wealth when I see it.
CHAPTER 40
UNITED, WE’RE UNSTOPPABLE
CHARLIE
The story unfolds as I drive home.
“You should know,” I say, “I called in reinforcements. They’re going to meet us at my place, but if you don’t want to see anyone right now?—”
