If The Shoe Fits Read Online Free PDF

eyebrows. She stared at the black instrument, and
then back at him. While biting her lip, she slowly shook her head.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
    Maybe he had a chance.
    Alex pulled the receiver back to his ear.
“She’s unavailable.” He took guilty pleasure in saying that. If he
had his way about it Charlie would be unavailable very shortly.
    A muttered curse blast in his ear. A sudden
dial tone echoed.
    Good-bye to you, too, he thought, and then
replaced the phone in its cradle.
    “Alex!”
    He liked the breathy sound of her voice, the
way it caught on his name. “Charlie,” he said softly, watching her
pupils flare with awareness. He leaned a hip on her desk.
    She glanced down. “Why don’t you make
yourself comfortable?”
    “Thanks, I will.” He smiled widely. Gazing at
the paper she’d been sketching on, he reached over and plucked it
up, turning it toward him. He had no idea what he’d expected, but
certainly not this. “Me?”
    Red spread over her cheeks and she snatched
the drawing away from him. “It’s… ah… research. I’m thinking of
doing a fairy-tale window display.” She quickly sketched in short,
quick strokes. In a matter of seconds, she’d fashioned a
jewel-encrusted crown on his head. “Ah… who better than Prince
Charming to adorn it?”
    He searched her gaze, slowly and intently.
Her caramel eyes gave nothing away. “Really?”
    Shrugging, she said, “I’m the art director. I
have to come up with hundreds of ideas.”
    “Ah, then you’re just the one for me,” he
said, entirely serious.
    She gulped. “Really? What would you need my
ideas for? I mean, surely, you have your own people who can come up
with something.” She frowned. “And what kind of ideas are we
talking about?”
    “It’s personal. A job only you can do. Have
lunch with me today and I’ll tell you.”
    “But, it’s only—” she stopped, grabbed his
wrist and turned it to read the face of his gold Rolex. “Quarter to
ten.”
    She pulled her hand away before he could stop
her. But the soft, velvety touch lingered on. He shook his head
slightly, trying to regain his thoughts. “I’ll send my driver,
Edward, for you at noon.” He got up and strode for the door.
    “But I haven’t accepted yet,” she called
out.
    He halted, turning to her with a smile and
raised eyebrow.
    “Personal? Can’t you give me even a little
hint?”
    “Prince Charming takes a wife,” he said,
winking at her. Her gasp of surprise followed him down the
hallway.

Chapter 6
     
     
    Charlie waited for the driver to settle into
traffic before she climbed onto the facing rich, buttery leather
seat. The glass partition was open. She leaned forward. “Limo,
huh?”
    “Town car’s in the shop.”
    “Edward, right?”
    Smiling, he gazed in the rearview mirror. He
shifted his uniform cap slightly, and then said, “At your
service.”
    Kind hazel eyes twinkled in his square face.
He had a nice wide smile, which helped ease her anxiety
somewhat.
    Nudging his shoulder, she said, “So tell me
which one did he pick?”
    “Ma’am?”
    “Prince Charming.”
    “Mr. Royale?” He chuckled, visibly relaxing.
“Is that what you call him to his face?”
    “Yep. It’s the truth, isn’t it?” She caught
his knowing grin in the mirror’s reflection.
    He remained quiet, so she nudged him again.
“Come on, you have to know everything that goes on. Which one did
he pick?” This was good news for the store, right? So why was she
tied up in knots?
    Her stepmother had dodged her all morning.
Charlie hadn’t been privy to whatever she and Alex had discussed.
Her nerves were working overtime.
    He darted a glance over his shoulder. “You
don’t know?”
    “Was it Francine?” Charlie nearly cringed at
the crack in her voice. Half of her hoped it was, but the other
half prayed it wasn’t.
    “That the older one?” he asked, appearing
cautious.
    “It is her!” Dread pooled in her middle. How
in the world could she ever be Alex’s