Free Charming: A Modern Day Sexy Cinderella Story by Jennifer Miller Page A

Even if she works her way in, she would have one hell of a time trying to push the CEO and owner out.”
    “I know that Ella, and you know that, but that doesn’t mean that the damn woman isn’t going to try.”
    “You’re right, but I’m not about to waste my time worrying over what may or may not happen.”
    “I like this side of you,” she says with a soft smile, “but who are you and what did you do with Ella?”
    Shrugging, I can’t help but feel a little defensive, “I don’t know. I guess being here, after everything, it’s just… hell… life is short and you know we can think that we do everything right and sometimes the shit still hits the fan. Life- and horrible people like her - are going to do what they’re going to do. I’ll be damned if I’m going to be so distracted that I become blind to the life that’s worth living right around me because I’m too busy worrying about all of the what if’s, or trying to be this perfect person that I’m not. I’m so over that. Or at least getting over that. This week has taught me that, if not anything else.”
    We pause as our food is set before us and we each take our first bites. I close my eyes in happiness at the taste of everything and do my best to not shove it all into my mouth as quickly as possible in my excitement. “Anyway,” I pause, taking a sip of my wine, “maybe it’s this place. Maybe it’s everything with Jeremy,” Katie clears her throat and I roll my eyes, “Fine, fuckwad,” Katie smiles happily when I use her term. “I don’t know what it is, but I do know that I have an amazing assistant, and April will let me know if she gets wind of anything going down at work.”
    “Yes, that’s true. April’s great.”
    Nodding my agreement, we continue to make small talk and order more wine as we finish our meals and enjoy the ambiance around us. As the wax from the candles falls lower, the sun completely sets casting the ocean in darkness. Glancing at the beach, I notice fires start appearing as fire pits come to life. The murmur of conversation and music starts filtering into the restaurant each time someone opens the door. People are walking back and forth and it seems as if an event of some sort is taking place. “I wonder what’s going on down at the beach?”
    Katie shrugs, but the waiter that’s filling our water glasses answers my question. “There’s a party on the beach tonight for guests. They have one every Friday evening and everyone is welcome to attend. You should go, it’s always a lot of fun. They have a bar, dancing, fire pits on the beach and games.”
    “Oh, sounds fun,” Katie says.
    Nodding, I agree, “We should check it out.”
    After we finish our dessert of raspberry crème brûlée we do just that. I feel like I should be rolled out of the restaurant, I’m feeling pretty full. “Walking off the food I ate is a good idea,” I groan.
    “Definitely,” she agrees rubbing her full belly making me laugh.
    “How about a walk on the beach before we join the festivities?” I ask her.
    “Sounds perfect.”
    We each remove our sandals before walking closer to the water. Even though the sun has set, the moon casts silver and white ribbons on the inky black water while bright stars twinkle in the distance, offering a dazzling reflection. Lifting my dress and keeping handfuls in my hands, I stand still and close my eyes for a moment and simply feel. I smile as the breeze kisses my face and whips my hair about my shoulders. My ears become alert to the lapping waves beating against the shore as my tongue slides across my lips, tasting the saltiness. My feet dig deeper into the sand, reveling in the feeling of the grainy rocks between my toes as the swirling sand brushes against the tops of my feet.
    “Good evening, ladies,” a gentleman dressed in a resort uniform says to us, interrupting my meditation. “Please don’t wade out any further into the water. Stay close to the shore. The tide comes in