Page 58 of Finding My Charming

I let out a long breath. I didn’t want to get into this. We’d had this same conversation — no, debate — hundreds of times, but neither of us would believe the other side. I knew how guys looked at her and our other friends, and I also knew they never looked at me the same way.

I’d learned to accept my fate. I wasn’t crazy-smart like Beth or beautiful like April and Ari. I was average. A wallflower that was easily overlooked.

Her determined look softened into concern. “I know what you’re thinking, Elle, but you’re wrong. I don’t know why you can’t stop comparing yourself to your sisters or to me, with you always coming out on the losing side, but you need to know that it’s not how everyone else views you.”

My vision blurred with tears gathering in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Insecurity had always been my burden. I’d tried to overcome it by being so different from my sisters that no one could compare us, but there’d never been a way to escape it.

“I’m sorry, Ari.” I dropped my eyes to avoid her disappointment.

Her hands tightly wrapped around my shoulders. “Do not apologize for your feelings. I may not agree or like these particular ones but never apologize. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just really, really want you to know how incredible you are, and there are people, besides me and your family, who see it.”

A single tear escaped and shattered on her shirt. She released her grip and pulled me into a hug. “I love you, Elle. There are a lot of people that do, too.” She pulled back and waited until I was looking back at her. “I’m sorry I pushed today. I crossed the line, but I swear I would never do anything to hurt you. I could already sense how Dallin felt about you. I just needed him to know it too, and he definitely does now.”

I shook my head and blinked until the tears disappeared. “Thanks, Ari.”

A tiny smile hinted at her lips. “Say it.”

I shook my head again.

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Say it.”

I waited a beat. “I love you, too.” I barely whispered it, but she beamed and pulled me into another hug before stepping away and waving as she strolled down the street to her car.

Ari walked around to the driver’s seat and waved back as she got in. Once she turned the corner and disappeared, I checked across the street to Mad Guru’s and startled when I caught Dallin watching me with a concerned look spread across his face. He slowly raised one arm and gave a small wave. Without a thought, I returned it and a wide grin replaced his frown. I smiled at him before going back to work.

Chapter 19

nervous excitement coursed through me while I watched the clock on my screen change ever so slowly. Half of me was dying to see Vincent again. The other, less optimistic side, was dreading it. Two people didn’t just click like that in real life. We’d skipped the awkward phase with each side insecure and fumbling through. Things were definitely too good to be true.

“Stop bouncing!”

My leg immediately stilled, and I gave Sherrie another apologetic look. It was the third time she’d yelled at me in the last twenty minutes. I had a feeling the next time would result in her duct-taping my legs and feet to the chair.

“You have nothing to be nervous about. From what you told me, you two had a perfect night together.”

I mirrored her nodding.

“He asked you out again, did he not?”

I continued nodding.

“Then he enjoyed your company as well and wants to continue to get to know you. Young men do not make an effort if they aren’t interested.” She finished with a stern look before turning back to her computer.

Work hadn’t the distraction I’d been planning on. The phones had not rung all afternoon, and no one in the office needed help, so I was left staring at the clock, willing time to go faster. Or slow down. It really all depended on my mood at that precise moment. I sat on my hands and sighed. Again.

“Sweetheart?”

I turned to Sherrie again and saw a large, fake smile on her lips.

“If you do not relax, I will be forced to sedate you. You’re driving me crazy.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “You’re going to drug me?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time. Do you forget who babysat you three when you were still little? How else do you think I got three rambunctious girls in bed by eight?”

My jaw went slack. This woman had just admitted to drugging children in a law office! Isn’t that some sort of punishable offense?

“Do my parents know about this?”