Secret North: Book 4 of The Wishes Series (48 page)

I dropped my line of sight to the pavement, unable to look at him. “I can’t imagine you telling her any such thing,” I scoffed.

“I have never clipped her wings, Charli,” he said seriously. “Who do you think taught her to stack cushions on the floor?”

My head snapped up at the question. “You taught her that?”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “I encourage ambition, but a backup plan is important.”

His admission floored me. I had no idea what to say so I left it at that, hoping he would too. “We should go,” I told him, already walking away. “Everyone will be waiting.”

Jean-Luc stayed put and called me back, just as he always does.

I groaned out loud. “Don’t ruin it.” I spun around so fast that the bottom of my dress flared. “You and I just had a moment. Don’t ruin it by saying something mean.”

“You think I’m hard on you, don’t you?” he asked.

“Brutal at times,” I confirmed. “I hope you’ll treat Bente differently.”

“I expect I will.” He dropped his head, smirking. “We don’t share the same rapport.”

Ignoring the fact that I’d begun shivering, I paced back to him. “Say something nice about me.” I thrust my bouquet at him as if I was casting a spell. “I dare you.”

He lifted his head. The smirk was gone. “You’ve been a wonderful, fiery addition to my family and I adore you.” His low tone was as serious as the look on his handsome face.

I was so shocked I couldn’t speak, which was a good thing. It saved me from killing the compliment with a smartarse comment. I mustered a rigid nod, turned and walked away again.

“The loss wasn’t yours, Charlotte,” he called. I stopped walking but didn’t turn back. “You’ll do well to remember that.”

I swallowed hard, trying to clear the lump from my throat. “I’ll do my best,” I replied. “Now hurry up and walk me down the aisle. Just to piss you off, I’m going to marry your son again.”

Star Promise, available December 20, 2014.

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