Free The Redemption (Charlotte Bloom Book 2) by Amanda Richardson

explain all of the horrible things I’d done to her son.
    “Well, you know what they say: the right actions in the future are the best apologies for bad actions in the past.”
    “Right,” I whispered quietly. I hoped this was the right action.
    She passed me a hot bowl of soup, and I ate it quickly as she tidied up the kitchen. When she was finished, she took my bowl and offered me seconds, which I declined. I was fidgeting like crazy. I hadn't realized how nervous I was to see Alec. I needed a good night’s sleep.
    “Let me show you to your room. I believe Alec said he gets in around 7:00 a.m. Do you want me to wake you?”
    “Yes. Please do. And… please let me surprise him. I don’t want him to know I’m here just yet. I feel like if you tell him that I’m here right away, he won’t want to see me,” I added honestly, shrugging my shoulders innocently.
    She chuckled. “Certainly. I’ll slyly wake you up when he arrives.” She winked at me, and led me upstairs to the second floor. The staircase was large, and Ennis helped me carry my suitcase to the first room off the hallway. “You’re right next door to Alec.”
    I flipped the light on, and a princess’s room greeted me. It was gigantic, with a lounge chair and a chaise splayed around a small coffee table. The bed had a canopy and there was a bathroom off to the left. A white robe hung off the side of the bed. The walls were grey, and all of the furniture was white, making it feel like a spa.
    “This is fancier than a hotel,” I said, turning to face Ennis. “Thank you so much. I’m so glad I’m here.”
    “Me too. I like you, Charlotte. I think you’re good for Alec. I hope you stay longer.” She smiled and closed the door behind her.
    So, this was it. I had exactly ten hours until Alec got here. I pulled on some pajamas, got ready, and climbed into the soft, luxurious bed. I felt like a queen. I read again the two passages from Love in the Time of Cholera and for the second time, I was lulled off to sleep knowing that I was so close to Alec. I would be next to him tomorrow. That thought alone sent me into a dreamless, blissful sleep.
     
     
     
    ***
     
     
     
    “Charlotte, honey, wake up. Alec is downstairs.”
    I felt Ennis gently shaking me awake. Her words slowly registered in my foggy, sleepy brain. I sat up, immediately alert. Alec is downstairs. Alec is downstairs. I didn’t even change out of my pajamas. I just needed to see him. I felt some sort of subconscious urge pulling me forward, step by step. I was running now, barefoot in my fleece pajamas, down the staircase, making sure to grip the railing. I stopped briefly in front of a mirror at the bottom of the stairs. I was wearing my most hideous pajamas (they were the only ones I'd brought) and my ponytail had gotten extremely messy and lop-sided in the night. I looked to my left and saw a small black duffel bag sitting by the front door. I turned right and walked into the kitchen.
    My breath caught in my throat when I saw Alec. I froze mid-step. His back was to me and he was drinking coffee at the kitchen island in exactly the same spot I’d sat last night. The morning light was glorious in this room, and it illuminated him just perfectly. I had to stop myself from running over and jumping onto him.
    He was wearing a white t-shirt and black, ripped jeans. His hair was messy—his hair was fucking glorious. He had one hand propped under his chin and he was looking out the window and into the wilderness that was the backyard. I couldn’t believe he was here, just five feet away. Finally. My heart filled with happiness, longing, and determination.
    Before I could say or do anything, he turned around. He jumped up, his face expressionless. I didn’t dare move. I had no idea how he would react. He crossed his arms, looking genuinely surprised, and then looked around, as if this wasn’t real or he was searching for a hidden camera.
    He took a step closer, and anger flooded his