Shy Charlotte’s Brand New Juju (Romantic Comedy) Read Online Free

was. Charlotte would say that it wasn’t. On their web cam call,
just now, Hannah had said that it wasn’t, but he could feel it. Withering away.
He was losing it. He could tell even if no one else could.
    He was at his prime, his professional pinnacle, though he
hoped to ride higher, of course. The first two books had a tepid response, at
best. But the last one, he had decided to make that one a bit more commercial,
and it had hit and stayed on the best sellers list. It was still there even as
the next was ready for release. He had just mailed off the galley proof, which
meant he had a little time off, before the official book launch later in the
summer.
    For the first time in his life, he had a month or two to
relax at the same time that he had money. To travel. To enjoy nice things. To
escape the day-to-day stressors of life. He and Charlotte had worked so hard to
get to this point, and now that it was here, she was gone.
    It meant nothing without her, for Charlotte had left him. Beautiful
Charlotte. His harlot, he would call her sometimes, in bed, when she whipped
her head up and let her loose strawberry blonde curls tumble down her shoulders,
her green eyes blazing. Such a peaceful strength, a kindness. So thoughtful to
their children. A Scottish lass, just like his own mother had been, so quiet
and yet capable, durable. She was the kind of woman who could sit on the sofa
with you all day as you worked and you could lie down and tuck your feet under
her thighs and she would place her hand on your ankles and smile and you could
soak in this rich, quiet, happiness all day. Days like this stayed on his skin,
like a scent. They fueled him. And now she was gone. And with her, his lovely
daughters. And with her, these kinds of days. Days when, as Charlotte had
phrased it, “There was nothing to do but each other.”
    He clenched inside and then he had a thought that made him
brighten. There was that girl he knew, from when he was an undergrad. She had
dated Robert Suzuki or maybe Sam Peterson. Either way. He had heard from
someone or other that she had taken a position as a professor of art in the
same mountain town where Fiona lived. Maybe her college would want a visiting
professor. Maybe they would like him to teach a few weekend writing workshops
or host some critique sessions. It wouldn’t have to be a big deal. Just an
excuse to go down there, so it didn’t look like he was following her. Not that
he didn’t have a right to follow her. They were still married and she had taken
his girls. He would have to be very, very careful not to chase her off, but he
certainly wasn’t going to have all this free time and no Charlotte to spend it
with. Besides, he didn’t really know how to work without her. She had always
been there. She had always been home, whenever he needed her. And Marcus wanted
at least the outline of the next book by mid-September.
    He grabbed for the phone.
    ***
    Charlotte eyed the envelope in front of her. It had been
decorated in silver and pink Sharpie, the words “Charlotte MacDougall’s Grand Transformation
Pact” penned in glittery, twisting script.
    She leaned forward. The wine made the room spin a little and
she felt strange in her stomach, like she was half-floating and half-heavy.
    “It’s a bit personal,” Fiona said, biting on her lip. “I
wonder if I should leave the room while you read it over.”
    “Personal?”
    “Yes. I just don’t want you to feel embarrassed. You know,
with how things have gotten for you.” Fiona stood. “I really think I should
leave.”
    Charlotte felt for a moment as though she might be sick. “What
is this, Fiona?”
    “I just…well, I had some ideas. And I hope you won’t take
them the wrong way, but I just really think this could help you. But I know
what it says and… I don’t want to embarrass you. So I’m leaving. I’m going to
bed.”
    Fiona filled Charlotte’s wine glass and then she shuffled
off, wrapping her sweater tight around her