Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 149(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 149(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Sano scowled down at her, but all she could do was smile up at him like a fool even as she started to cry. A part of her still thought this was all a dream, but it wasn't. Thank You, God, thank You! She didn't know what she or Sano had done to deserve their second chance, but she knew that it was a chance she would treasure for all of her days.
"Don't think you can sway me with your tears," Sano grumbled.
"I'm not."
"Then what are you—-"
Charlotte pulled him down for a kiss, and just as their lips touched, Charlotte whispered, "I love you so much, Sano." There was a time she had withheld those words from him out of fear, but losing him had changed that - had changed her, and from now on...
She started raining kisses all over Sano's gorgeous face, and a teary laugh tumbled past her lips at the way she felt her husband (or soon-to-be-husband?) jerk against her body in shock.
"Love you, Sano. Love you, love you, love—-"
The sound of someone knocking on their door cut her off.
"Sumimasen, Takahashi-san, Carmichaels-san. We have arrived at our first stop, and the other members of your party have convened in the lounge. Perhaps—-"
"Five minutes, Ikeda-san. Let my friends know I just need five minutes to pleasure—-"
Charlotte choked.
"—-my fiancée, and then we'll be with them right after."
Epilogue
"DETAILS," ADDISON DEMANDED as soon as she joined Charlotte in their usual rooftop booth at the gym. "I want - no, scratch that, I need details, now."
Charlotte could only laugh. It had only been a week since she and Sano had flown back to Texas together, and although they had yet to make any "official" announcement, everyone apparently already knew about the two of them.
"I'm getting married," she finally said, and Addison let out a gasp loud enough to have the other gym members curiously turn their way.
"Oh my God, Char—-"
"Move over." This from Jared, who promptly lifted Addison off the booth couch so he could take his seat.
"No—-" Addison was horrified to find herself sitting sideways on her husband's lap.
Ignoring his wife's struggles to free herself, Jared turned to Charlotte with a pleasant smile. "Congratulations on your engagement."
"Er, thanks..." Charlotte had a hard time stifling her own smile as Addison kept trying to stand up, only to have Jared pull her back down without effort.
Addison finally gave up resisting and turned to her friend. "I can't believe you of all people have let another man sweep you off your feet in a whirlwind romance."
"Miracles happen, I guess." It was all Charlotte felt safe to say, since she and Sano had agreed to keep the more "fantastic" parts of their story a secret.
"What made you fall for him?" Addison asked eagerly.
"I'd like to know, too," a familiar voice put in, and Charlotte could feel her cheeks turning red as she saw Addison's eyes widen. A moment later, they were all on their feet, and Sano introduced himself so very easily as her fiancé as he shook hands with her friends.
She could feel everyone at the rooftop looking at them, and for one moment, it truly felt like déjà vu, and it was as if she and Sano were back in their old high school cafeteria. Just like most people had seemed unable to comprehend what made Landon choose her over the other girls, it seemed as if history was set to repeat itself with Sano and her.
More so now probably, Charlotte thought with a sigh, since not only was Sano this gorgeous, mysterious billionaire from Japan, but he happened to be eight years younger than her, too.
Charlotte saw Sano's blue eyes gleam as Jared pulled his wife back to his lap, and she knew right away she was in trouble. But before she could even turn her back to run away, Sano had already joined her friends at their table and clasping her waist in a firm grip.
"Don't—-"
But it was already too late, and Charlotte now knew what it felt to be in Addison's shoes. I hate you, karma.
"Charles?"
Sano's voice drew Charlotte out of her thoughts, and she caught Addison blinking in surprise at the way Sano had addressed her. Addison and everyone close to her knew that Charlotte had only let Landon call her that, and Charlotte knew it would only be a matter of time before people started comparing Sano and Landon to each other.
"Jared's taking his yacht out for a sail tomorrow," Sano was telling her, "and he's invited us to join them."
"Before you say yes," Addison interrupted, "you should know that Jared's sailing trips typically start at five in the morning."
Charlotte felt defensive. "I can wake up at five if I have to."
"Says the girl who didn't even stir after five alarms, four snoozes—-"
"That was back in college," Charlotte protested. "I've changed now! I only need two alarms—-" Addison laughed, and Charlotte made a face, realizing too late she hadn't exactly put forward a winning argument.