Lucky Charm Read Online Free PDF

she said.
    Sharon hesitated, so Gabrielle gave her a gentle shove. “I’ll be fine. Go.” She waited until her friend was on her way to the kitchen department before she walked over to where the father and daughter stood, in time to hear the preteen extol the virtues of Gabrielle’s shoes.
    She hadn’t even seen the girl checking her out.
    â€œThey aren’t Manolos, they’re Christian Louboutins,” Gabrielle heard herself say.
    Two sets of eyes glanced up at her. One in awe. The other in recognition.
    â€œChristian Louboutins,” the young girl said, shaking her head. “My mom doesn’t even own a pair of those.”
    â€œI’m sure that will change while she’s in Paris with her new husband,” Derek said, his stunned gaze still firmly on Gabrielle’s face.
    He cleared his throat. “I heard you two met at the library,” he said a little awkwardly.
    â€œNot officially. Just long enough for me to tell her we had the same taste in books when I was her age.” Gabrielle never tore her gaze from his.
    â€œHey! Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Derek’s daughter asked as she dropped her armful of pillows onto the nearest counter and tugged on her father’s sleeve.
    He unloaded the items in his arms, too. “Holly, this is an old high-school friend of mine, Gabrielle Donovan. Gabrielle, meet my daughter, Holly.” He gestured between the two.
    â€œYou two knew each other in high school? Wow!”
    Derek met Gabrielle’s gaze.
    And as his daughter spoke, about what Gabrielle couldn’t focus on, Gabrielle’s shallow breathing eased. The heat simmering between her and Derek did not.
    â€œAnd you have the coolest clothes on the planet,” Holly added.
    â€œOr at least in Stewart.” Derek laughed.
    Gabrielle remembered that smile too well. She recalled what he could get her to do with that charm of his even better.
    â€œHow old did you say you were, Holly?” Gabrielle asked.
    â€œI’m eleven and three-quarters,” she said proudly.
    â€œWhen is your birthday?”
    â€œAugust 15,” she said.
    â€œI think that makes you more than eleven and three-quarters,” she said to the bright-eyed girl.
    Derek nodded. “Someone has a birthday coming up next month.”
    Holly grew more animated. “Ooh, I do. I need to think of a gift, don’t I?”
    He laughed. “Yes, you do.”
    â€œClothes,” she said, drawing out the word.
    â€œThat means more shopping?” Derek asked, a mock grimace on his face.
    Gabrielle met his tortured expression with a grin of her own. “What’s your favorite store?” she asked Holly.
    â€œDifferent places. I got these flip-flops today at Abercrombie.” She waved her foot in the air.
    â€œEver hear of Isaac Mizrahi?” Gabrielle wondered if she sounded as silly as she felt, talking to a child about fashion.
    Holly shook her head. “Who is he?”
    â€œHe’s a designer,” Gabrielle said. “If you love these bright-colored things,” she said, pointing to her choice in bedding, “I think you’d love the line he does for Target.”
    â€œNow I know why the name rings a bell,” Derek said. “The guy began designing for Target around 2003. Their stock skyrocketed when he launched his line of affordable clothes with designer flair.” Derek folded his arms across his chest, looking like a man pleased to be finally participating in the conversation.
    Holly rolled her eyes. “Dad,” she said with a groan.
    Gabrielle chuckled at both father and daughter, but somehow kept her focus on Holly. “Maybe your father would let me take you to Target one afternoon and show you.” As soon as she spoke, Gabrielle couldn’t believe the words that had escaped her mouth.
    She and Derek hadn’t said more than hello. She had barely gotten over meeting his daughter, yet