Page 8

CHAPTER SEVEN

Develop real friendship—off with a bang, if she said so herself!—while figuring out how her life fit together with Sutton’s, now, as adults. Beyond sizzling attraction and lovely conversation.

Figure out how to romance Sutton and make her see how much she wanted her, in every way.

Sweep Sutton Spencer off of her feet.

Charlotte really didn’t know what to expect from friendship with Sutton.

Caleb and Dean were the only two people she considered her friends. One was her brother while the other was her brother-in-law, so she didn’t necessarily feel like they counted, if she was being honest with herself.

And maybe it should have alarmed her that she found herself on her fourth decade on this earth, still feeling like the concept of making a real friend was foreign to her. When she thought about it in those terms, it did seem rather concerning.

But it had never bothered her before.

Sutton herself was the only friend, barring Caleb and Dean, that she’d ever had that she’d thought was worth keeping.

All she really knew was that sitting in her townhouse with Sutton, letting Sutton explore her kitchen and then exclaim over her sunroom before lounging on a chaise and just… existing with her, was the best weekend Charlotte had had in years. Sutton had stayed for over two hours while Charlotte neglected packing and prepping for her upcoming trip.

And honestly, she didn’t give a shit; she could handle the meetings with less prep.

She’d been extremely reluctant to say goodbye to Sutton after dinner, given that she was about to leave D.C. for over a week.

“Thank you again for dinner,” Sutton had said as she’d lingered by the door. “I’d never even heard of that Indian place!”

Charlotte smiled indulgently; her cheeks were almost sore from the amount of real smiling she’d done at Sutton tonight. It was such an instinctive thing ; looking at Sutton like this—in Charlotte’s home, comfortable, bright-eyed, talking about her work and Lucy and, just, life, that wonderfully husky laugh falling from soft lips—it just made Charlotte… happy.

“Maya, one of my assistants, she orders from there all of the time,” she had said.

Sutton’s slow smile was nearly lethal, the way it cut through Charlotte. Sutton had such a sweet, soft smile, but there was an edge to her that Charlotte saw—maybe she was the only one who did—as Sutton mocked, “Oh, one of my assistants .”

Charlotte’s mouth fell open. “She is! What would you like me to call her?”

Sutton merely laughed, leaning back against the door as she regarded Charlotte. “Nothing. I want you to call her what she is. I just…” She fiddled with the ends of her jacket sleeves. “It’s sometimes crazy,” she confessed.

Charlotte knew she must have looked as wanting and confused as she felt inside as she asked, “What is?”

“This.” Sutton gestured around them. “All of this. I just… you… you really did it,” she said softly. “Everything you planned. Everything you wanted.”

The words were admiring and encouraging and warm, but as Charlotte stared at Sutton getting ready to leave, they landed hollowly inside of her, in a void of longing and wanting that Sutton’s company alone could fill. “Not everything,” she murmured, the words slipping out, echoing with that longing that hit so strongly.

Sutton rolled her lips before she smiled, a little teasing. “Right. Here comes Ms. President.”

Charlotte exhaled quickly, amusement and disappointment wrapping together in a confusing bundle in her stomach as she smiled. “Right. Yes.”

“Let me know if you hear anything before I do from the publisher? I can get started writing the next bit or editing through their suggestions,” Sutton offered as she hesitated at the door, her hand on the knob but not quite twisting.

And Charlotte—it was so ridiculous, especially considering she herself was on a flight in the morning, but she didn’t want Sutton to go. She liked Sutton in her house. She liked the way the house felt warmer with her. She liked the way she felt with Sutton; she liked the way life felt with Sutton.

But. They were friends. That was what was happening now. And if a friendship was what she could have with Sutton, a friendship was what she’d take.

“I’ll let you know,” she promised. “And,” she added, as Sutton started opening to door, “I’ll text you anyway. As friends do.”

A grin pulled at her lips, especially as Sutton slowly smiled back.

“Right. Good, then.” Sutton stood in the open doorway, lingering as if unsure how to say goodbye for several seconds. She nodded to herself minutely and leaned in. Surprise slid through Charlotte as well as a light flutter in her stomach, even as Sutton wrapped her arms around her.

It was a quick, brief squeeze, friendly , but Charlotte leaned into it anyway.

“Have a good trip. Um. Effect change.”

Charlotte laughed, bright and easy, so brought about by Sutton. “Will do.”

And so what if she watched Sutton leave, the way she walked down the walkway, breathing a little sigh that no one else had ever made her feel?

It was all in the name of… friendship.

She hadn’t known that friendship with Sutton would mean such frequent texting, not that she was complaining about it.

Charlotte—11:31 a.m.

Texting a friend, as one does, to inform her of a safe flight. On my way to effect change. What are you up to this Sunday?

Sutton—11:47 a.m.

Lunch with Regan and Emma soon. Preparing the digital quiz for my lit class tomorrow morning. What change, exactly, are you going to effect on a Sunday afternoon?

Charlotte—11:48 a.m.

World hunger on the agenda today

Honestly, I have a dinner with Senator Gotts and a few House reps. Very light. Until tomorrow.

Sutton—11:49 a.m.

Ah, Gotts. Or, as my brother likes to call him— Always Gotts A Problem

Charlotte—11:49 a.m.

Ha, well, Oliver is correct. Nigel and I get along, but he is absolutely draining

Sutton—11:51 a.m.

You remembered it was Oliver?

Jesus, I didn’t even think—he’s the governor now, I’m sure you two have run into each other at some point. Stupid of me.

Or, just, you are obviously aware of political events

Charlotte—11:52 a.m.

You are never stupid. Yes, he and I have been at the same events on occasion.

But I would have remembered anyway.

Sutton—11:56 a.m.

You are just that good. Color me entirely surprised

They talked about Charlotte’s work.

Charlotte—10:11 p.m.

Sorry, it took me so long to respond. I’ve been in a meeting for the last four hours and I’m so frustrated about the state of this upcoming bill

But I quite enjoyed the tale of Lucy angling for a dog. I’m shocked it hasn’t worked yet, if I’m being honest…

Sutton—10:13 p.m.

Fine, I do love dogs! But a dog is a responsibility and I want her to be prepared for that. My parents did that for us, and it worked

But enough about that. Tell me about what you’re working on. The bill regarding gun control?

Charlotte—10:14 p.m.

Yes. I’m doing a spot on CNN about it, and the fucking POLITICS of it all is revolting. Coming from a career politician such as myself, it should tell you everything you need to know

Sutton—10:15 p.m.

It does tell me all I need to know. But I also know you, and I know that you will find a way. You always do. Want to write out, here, what your talking points are?

Charlotte—10:16 p.m.

I’d honestly love to, but I also know that you are more than likely going to go to sleep soon and I don’t want to keep you up to hear me rant and/or work out politics talk

Sutton—10:17 p.m.

It’s important and you are very attention grabbing; one of the only reasons CNN is bearable sometimes tbh

– About Sutton’s work?—

Sutton—1:17 p.m.

I’m not positive, but I think one of my students wrote a paper using you as a queer role model, comparing you to Sappho

{Attached image}

Charlotte—1:34 p.m.

What can I say? Sappho is likely my direct ancestor. You should tell this student of yours that you know me. Earn some true respect

Sutton—1:35 p.m.

Oh, so you think I have to name-drop you to earn respect from my students? Then again, if you came into my gender and sexuality in literature class, I’m sure you alone would leave a string of hearts behind

Charlotte—1:35 p.m.

Not at all, but I thought it might be more comfortable for you to have your students stargazing at me rather than at you. I’m sure you already have their little sapphic hearts laying at your door

Sutton—1:36 p.m.

Ha-ha

It has only happened one time.

Charlotte—1:37 p.m.

I am genuinely shocked by that

Please, do tell

They talked about Lucy… well, a lot about Lucy, and it wasn’t all that shocking. She was Sutton’s pride and joy, and Charlotte knew Sutton well enough to know that would be the case even before meeting Lucy over dinner.

Charlotte—4:41 p.m.

Got the edits in—I can send them over if you want to have a look whenever you’re not busy

Sutton—4:44 p.m.

I’m sitting in the parents’ section for karate class, watching a group of 5- to 8-year-olds try to break a board with their hands. Please send it to me now

Charlotte—4:45 p.m.

I’m very tempted to not send it to you now because I personally find the idea of watching children break wooden boards with their hands fascinating

Sutton—4:45 p.m.

With the giggling and screaming and fits of running around, you would need at least eight ibuprofen to make it through the hour, Charlotte Thompson

Charlotte—4:46 p.m.

I’m moderately insulted, yet still agreeable with your conclusion. However, please don’t pretend that you don’t love watching Lucy run around during these little classes

Sutton—4:47 p.m.

Fine, I won’t. She’s having an amazing time, wearing her yellow belt. It gets all of her energy out, she’s thrilled. She just lost a tooth last night, she’s going to FaceTime Alex later to tell her about her new rank. And she’s just so adorable

Charlotte—4:48 p.m.

Ah, see? I knew you loved it. I didn’t realize she got her yellow belt; that’s exciting. She talked about that at dinner the other week. I’m sure your sister will be thrilled. The only person to this day who has ever manhandled me

Sutton—4:48 p.m.

Oh my god, I totally forgot about that. I’m still SO sorry

Charlotte—4:51 p.m.

Don’t be, it was quite the experience. I bet she’s very proud of your little karate kid

Sutton—4:53 p.m.

She certainly is. She makes a point to come to every meet, if she can. And Lucy loves telling her karate friends all about her professional fighter aunt. She believes it is extremely impressive

Charlotte—4:54 p.m.

I believe Lucy is correct; someone who is able to flip a person 4x their size is very impressive. Oh, tell Lucy congratulations from me, if she remembers me from dinner

Sutton—4:59 p.m.

IF she remembers you… you have been on the TV. Much like my daughter is swayed by Alex beating people up into thinking she’s cool, you being ON THE TELEVISION is even more so. She has talked about you several times

She is very pleased that you said congrats and she’d like to show you her belt

(attached image)

They talked about Autumn and Maya’s continued affair, which had turned into a bit more …

Charlotte—8:03 a.m.

They arrived in the same cab today. THE SAME CAB. It’s as if they now want to broadcast it for all the world to see. Discretion be damned.

Sutton—8:05 a.m.

lol. It’s a cab! Were they clothed coming out of it? Not fixing lipstick or skewed clothing?

Charlotte—8:05 a.m.

No, they were perfectly put together. Who do you think I’m hiring to work for me? A lawsuit on hold?

Sutton—8:06 a.m.

I expect no less from you. But my point is—maybe they got breakfast together. Maybe they are staying at the same hotel. Maybe they wanted to catch up before work to reconcile the demands from their very busy boss

Charlotte—8:06 a.m.

We are talking about two women who barely ever say two nice sentences to one another, Sutton. And for the last year have done so very infrequently. They spent the night together! And they aren’t pretending that they didn’t!

Sutton—8:07 a.m.

How do you know, then? Are they acting any differently now? Exchanging a nice word?

Charlotte—8:11 a.m.

Fine, no, they are not. Maya just informed Autumn under her breath while not looking at her that her handwritten agendas are redundant when she has the same notes copied into digital planners. And Autumn murmured that she’d like Maya to kindly mind her own fucking business

Sutton—8:12 a.m.

… why, out of the many applicants you surely had, did you choose two women who do not like one another to be the ones constantly in each other’s proximity?

Charlotte—8:12 a.m.

I appreciate the energy it brings to the room. They always keep one another on each other’s toes and, as a result, keep me on mine

Sutton—8:15 a.m.

Of course you did it on purpose… of course YOU did

Why are they sleeping together if they can’t stand one another? I can’t wrap my mind around it

Charlotte—8:29 a.m.

I don’t find it shocking that it’s not something you can relate to

Sutton—8:29 a.m.

I’m feeling a little insulted, I think?

Charlotte—8:32 a.m.

It’s not an insult; I was merely stating it as a fact. Autumn and Maya are running on this… pure energy. Maybe these little personal details about one another are annoying, but the reason they still work for me isn’t because they couldn’t find another job; it’s because they like this energy just as much. They love being kept on their toes. Neither of them want easy—or, maybe if they do WANT it, it’s not something that will make them happy right now

Sutton—8:36 a.m.

Well, color me crazy, but I think that deep down, everyone wants the easy kind of love

Charlotte—8:38 a.m.

Both of them are career-driven, and they love this world. They want a little zing back and forth. And honestly, that probably does give them some kind of ease, that they are on each other’s level in so many ways. But that’s what they are thriving on. And so I suppose, in a way, I manufactured this.

Sutton—8:39 a.m.

I like a zing

Charlotte—8:50 a.m.

You do

But the zing you want is pleasant. You don’t want the flirting that begins in barbs, a romance where you are in competition, where everything is a battle. You want a zing where a woman (or man, I suppose), smiles at you and flirts with you and jokes with you, but it’s never harsh or too mean

Sutton—8:53 a.m.

What I’m gathering here is that you are calling me soft?

Charlotte—8:54 a.m.

I am, yes. But don’t mistake it for me calling you weak. What you are looking for and what you give is honesty and softness and truth. Autumn and Maya have a zing that is comfortable for their lifestyle and the walls they both have around what is comfortable for them. The zing you crave and the one people find in you is vulnerability. And that is a far more difficult energy to both give and receive

Charlotte—10:11 a.m.

I’m sorry if I overstepped in saying those things. I truly didn’t mean anything negatively; very much the opposite

Sutton—10:18 a.m.

No, you didn’t overstep. I guess… I just wasn’t ready for so much insight into, well, me. And then my 9 a.m. course started, so…

Anyway. Maybe Autumn and Maya are going to end up having the soft zing. You never know

Charlotte—10:25 a.m.

Autumn just informed Maya that she can’t have a sip out of her water bottle even though we’re stuck in traffic with no end in sight for at least an hour and gave Maya a look as if she’d asked to cut her arm off. I think their soft feelings are safe

Charlotte hadn’t expected the commentary she received from Caleb, though she should have. That was on her.

“Who are you texting?” Caleb asked as she answered Sutton’s latest message before setting her phone face down on her lap. Her brother’s tone implied he already knew damn well who she was texting.

Charlotte ate another bite of her pasta rather than dignify him with an answer.

“Work,” Dean surmised easily, shooting Caleb a look like he was crazy. “If it’s an ongoing back-and-forth, it’s always work.”

Caleb rested his hand on his husband’s, tapping his finger against the back of Dean’s hand as he stared at Charlotte with unconcealed glee. “No. It’s Sutton .”

Even as her phone vibrated with what was sure to be Sutton’s response to her last message, Charlotte resisted the need to check it, even though it went against everything she’d felt in the last couple of weeks.

Charlotte had never been much of an ongoing texter. Who would she do that with? There was no one outside of work that she found it imperative to talk to every day, let alone multiple times a day.

But, god, if she said she didn’t eat up every word Sutton said, that her heart didn’t flutter with excitement every time she got a message signaling that Sutton wanted to talk to her, she would be quite the liar.

Still, if something hadn’t changed in… ever , it was that she didn’t want to deal with Caleb’s needling.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “And what makes you so sure?”

“Every time we’ve seen you, you’re texting,” Caleb pointed out. “And not for work. Not serious-face Charlotte. It’s more like smitten-kitten Charlotte.”

The look she gave him for referring to her as a smitten kitten was absolutely murderous.

Dean nodded slowly. “Huh. He’s right. I hadn’t even realized, but you are always looking a little flushed. Happier, maybe?” He tilted his head at her from across the table.

She definitely flushed under his gaze at that comment.

“Sutton and I,” she spoke slowly, enunciating every syllable as she pointed her fork at both of the men in her life, “are friends.”

“Right, just like you two were friends the last time this happened,” Caleb nodded sagely—not to mention annoyingly.

Her phone buzzed again, and she set her jaw in determination not to follow her twitching fingers’ lead and check it.

She’d been telling herself that they were friends for the last two weeks. She had to think about it in those terms: Sutton wanted a friendship with her, and that was it.

Still, with the looks of both Dean and Caleb digging into her, she snapped. “What is it you want me to say? Do you want me to say that it’s Sutton for me, it’s only ever been Sutton, and I can’t imagine how it ever won’t be? Do you want me to say that I’ve spent the last thirteen years with this wanting inside, with this wondering what could have been if only I’d made a different decision? That every time we text, I feel both elated and insane, because how have those feelings not gone away? Fine, there, I said it.”

She settled roughly back in her chair, crossing her arms over her stomach as both her brother and friend stared at her in shock. She felt both immensely pleased at causing the shock and frustrated with herself for voicing the thoughts she was still working through.

Caleb’s mouth opened, then closed, before he cleared his throat. “I mean… yeah. I guess I wanted you to say that?” He slid his gaze toward Dean, whose eyebrows were near his hairline.

“I never thought we would actually hear it,” Dean finished for them both.

Charlotte took in a deep breath before slowly blowing it out and sitting upright, straightening her shoulders. “Well. Now, you have.”

“Charlotte, if that’s how you feel, then…” Caleb gave her a softly encouraging look.

“Then what?” she challenged, arching an eyebrow at him. “Tell her? When she’s made it clear that she isn’t ready for more?”

It was something she was struggling with, being incredibly thrilled that she was getting this chance to become closer to Sutton while also knowing full well that she was only going to be falling for Sutton even harder.

Clearly, Sutton was attracted to her—the knowledge gave Charlotte a visceral satisfaction that throbbed through her whole body—but emotionally, Sutton didn’t seem to want her. It was an irony Charlotte was becoming very familiar with: Back when Sutton had wanted Charlotte in every way, Charlotte wasn’t emotionally equipped to manage it, and now that she was—or at least, she thought she was—Sutton didn’t want it with her.

And that was an entire thing in and of itself, Charlotte believing she was ready for a real adult relationship with Sutton. She’d never really done it, so how would she know? How would Charlotte know if she was ready?

She thought this friendship angle might be smart, to test the waters, so to speak, and move at a pace Sutton was comfortable with, while also seeing her own limits. She had to know how their lives could truly fit together before getting ahead of herself.

Because the last thing she wanted was to have more with Sutton and realize she was wrong. She couldn’t break Sutton’s heart again; she wouldn’t.

She didn’t expect the Welcome Back! basket Sutton brought to her when they met up for the first time once she was back in D.C.

She looked down at the basket in her hands, eyebrows lifting in surprise, before moving her gaze back up to Sutton. “You know I was only gone for less than two weeks, right?”

Sutton’s cheeks colored slightly as she coughed into her hand. “I—yes. Obviously. But I took to making these for Regan and Emma whenever they left to go somewhere longer than a few days because Lucy finds it really fun, so… it just… happened.” Brilliant blue eyes shut tightly as Sutton shook her head. “Actually, it was silly. Here, I’ll take it back.”

Charlotte hugged her arms securely around the basket, holding it closer to her as she arched a sharp eyebrow up at Sutton. “You can’t take this back; it’s my basket now.”

She led them to sit on the couch, combing through the items in said basket.

“It’s just some little knickknacks,” Sutton explained, clearly a little embarrassed as she settled in next to Charlotte and watched her look through the items. “Lucy decorated that little Christmas ornament.”

Charlotte picked up the rather messily painted bulb, though there were admittedly charming hearts distinguishable on it, as her lips tugged into a grin. “Thank her for me, please.”

She reveled in Sutton’s quiet little smile before turning back to the basket.

“Chocolate chip cookies,” Charlotte commented, excitement moving through her as she lifted the container up. “Homemade?”

Sutton looked at her as through she were utterly crazy. “Of course. Don’t insult me.”

Charlotte cupped her hands around the Tupperware. “If these are the cookies I’m remembering, I really enjoyed the sea salt in them.”

“They are,” Sutton was quick to say before she cleared her throat. “I know you didn’t love desserts. Not as much as I do, anyway.” Sutton’s voice was so soft that it made everything inside of Charlotte yearn to match its mellow cadence.

She couldn’t believe Sutton remembered that. She’d only made the cookies twice in their tenure together, and Charlotte, as someone who didn’t overtly love sweets, had picked at them. Mostly, she’d eaten one the first time Sutton sheepishly handed a couple over because she just didn’t want to cause any frowns on Sutton’s gorgeous face. Her actual enjoyment of the dessert had been a delightful surprise.

But Sutton had remembered ?

God, she knew they were only friends, but it meant so much in her solitary heart that she wasn’t the only one with all of the memories they’d made still so vivid.

“Thank you, darling.”

The endearment slipped out before Charlotte could even realize she’d said anything, and everything inside of her froze— too much, too fast— as she slid her gaze to Sutton, waiting to see how she’d react.

Sutton’s posture was rigid for a few moments, her face looking shell-shocked before she recovered. “Um, you’re welcome.” She quickly reached into her bag and cleared her throat. “I—actually, did you look over the email I sent you?”

Charlotte most definitely didn’t expect what happened to her the following Thursday night, when Sutton called her for the first time.

Excitement shot through her when she saw Charlotte’s name on her caller ID; it was just after five, and she’d been working since quarter past six this morning. To say Sutton would be the most welcome surprise would be the world’s biggest understatement.

“Well, hello, stranger,” she answered the phone.

“Hi,” Sutton’s slightly breathless reply came. “Sorry, I’m just managing a ton of th—Luce, if you jump on that couch one more time, your Halloween candy will be meeting the trash.”

“Sorry, Mama!” came the faint reply. After dinner with her, and a video Sutton had sent, Charlotte could recognize her voice.

“Is this a bad time? You did call me,” she reminded Sutton with an endeared laugh.

Sutton chuckled back. “Right, I did. I just wanted to make sure we were still on for this weekend? Since we have the notes back from the editor and everything.”

“Yes,” she replied, wondering if she’d spoken too fast to sound natural, but in the past two months, she hadn’t canceled on Sutton once. Truthfully, she only would if there was a literal national emergency. “Of course.”

“I just wasn’t sure because I know you’ve been so busy this week; I mean, you worked until nine yesterday,” Sutton’s reply came with gentle reproach. “That can’t be healthy.”

“Ah, but who am I, if not dedicated?”

Sutton let out a begrudging laugh. “Fine, this is very true.”

Charlotte looked down at her watch before frowning. “Not that I don’t enjoy a phone call from you”—she really, really did—“but weren’t you going to attend your coworker’s engagement party this evening?”

“Your mind is really a steel trap.”

“It’s my finest quality.”

“One of them.” Sutton seemed to catch herself, if the sharp intake of breath was anything to go by, and Charlotte smiled as pleasure swept through her. “I mean, you have many wonderful qualities, and so you should never just have to pick one, but… your mind is a good one.”

God , she wanted to pursue this. She wanted to tease and banter and flirt . So, so badly.

She swallowed a handful of remarks that wanted to escape, though, only letting out a little laugh. “I will use that as my next campaign slogan.”

“Ha,” Sutton breathed before clearing her throat. “I was going to go to go. It’s just… I wound up not having anyone to watch Lucy tonight. I had a really great girl before, but she moved, and Regan and Emma are on their trip.”

“Oh, right, the France vacation.”

“Exactly.” There was a frustration marring Sutton’s tone, along with a tinge of disappointment, and Charlotte found herself saying the words before she even realized it.

“I can do it.”

There was a resounding silence as both Charlotte and Sutton took in what she said. Then Sutton cautiously asked, “Um… do what, exactly?”

What in the hell was she offering? Charlotte’s heart pounded in uncertainty even as she spoke again. “I…” She cleared her throat and nodded at herself as she sat up straight in her chair before speaking again. “I can watch Lucy for you tonight.”

Charlotte stared across her empty office, chewing at the inside of her lip for a moment before she caught herself and made herself stop .

She and Sutton were friends.

Lucy was Sutton’s child.

She had to spend more time with her, especially if they were going to see one another more frequently.

Charlotte had gone toe to toe with some of the biggest names in politics, on camera and on national news. How hard could this be in comparison?

“Sutton?” she prompted after thirty seconds had passed with no sound on the other end of the line.

Sutton cleared her throat. “I—sorry… did you just offer to watch my daughter?”

“Yes.” She sat up straight at her desk, nodding and allowing the words she spoke to strengthen her tone and conviction. “Yes, I did. What time did you need to leave by?”

“Um. Well. I, um, I mean, if you’re… serious? I should leave within the hour, but you don’t have to.”

“I’m serious,” she confirmed, drawing in a deep breath. “I’ll be there as soon as possible. Go, get ready.”

By the time she arrived, it was forty minutes later, and she’d mostly calmed her nerves—which, she shouldn’t have had any. Lucy was six , and Charlotte had had a good time with her when they’d had dinner. Granted, she’d felt a little out of her depth, in a very unfamiliar way, but… taking care of her for one night should be fine. Completely and totally fine.

She readjusted the grip she had on the bag in her hand; she’d sent Autumn to the closest mall on an emergency trip as she’d finished up her loose ends in the office, texting her a shopping list she’d received from Caleb. In a conversation that she’d wished she could have had with Dean, who hadn’t answered her .

“What was that game Ricky is obsessed with?” she’d demanded as soon as her brother picked up the phone, referencing their brother William’s son. He had three, but Ricky was the one closest to Lucy’s age. “The one you played with him for hours the last time he stayed with you for the weekend?”

“Uhhhh… Mario Kart?” Caleb’s obviously confused answer came only seconds later.

Right. Charlotte quickly texted that, along with her other ideas, to Autumn. Who’d immediately responded with?—

Autumn Alton—5:26 p.m.

For what game system?

“What game system?” she’d asked next. How many were there? Charlotte had literally never played a video game. Not once in forty years.

“…the Switch?”

She’d texted that to Autumn as well, hoping to god she knew whatever the fuck it was and how to get it quickly.

“Thanks.”

“Yeah, sure. But, why ?” Her brother’s bewilderment was all over his tone.

She balked for a moment before clearing her throat and straightening her shoulders. “I’m babysitting tonight.”

There was a resounding silence before his bark of laughter came so loudly through the phone, she winced at the strength. “Christ, Caleb, I have eardrums.”

The laughter continued. “You—did you just say… you’re babysitting?! ”

She huffed out a breath. “And?”

“And you’re babysitting,” he stated before laughing again.

“You know, we have an equal amount of nephews,” she pointed out.

“Right, and when is the last time you hung out with them one on one, in a setting that didn’t include William or Claire or taking them out to lunch or shopping or to the movies?”

Fine. He was right. And even those sorts of hangouts happened infrequently. Charlotte hadn’t stayed for extended periods of time in their hometown since she’d moved away for college over twenty years ago. She went back maybe once a year now, to see William and his children, and they came to D.C. about the same amount of times to see her. For other holidays, she sent gifts, either ones William told her to get or whatever was the latest and coolest toy for that year.

Charlotte hadn’t really spent time with a human under college age since she’d been that age. Even when she took William’s boys, it was never one-on-one; she always took them all, and they often amused themselves while they were out and about, with bouts of conversation or questions for her every so often.

It always went well, but this was different.

Still, she scowled in frustration. “I can entertain a six-year-old, Caleb.”

“Uh-huh, and that’s why you’re calling me, desperate for a gaming system.”

“I’m going to hang up now.”

“God, you have it so bad !” Caleb shouted through the line as she hung up. “This is disgus?—”

Caleb—5:28 p.m.

disgustingly cute, was what I was saying!

With another deep breath, Charlotte knocked on Sutton’s door. She only had to wait for a second before the door opened. It was so quick, she startled at it and then stared at Sutton.

Wearing a form-fitting blue dress, her hair, which just brushed her shoulders now, was down and pin-straight and shiny. She’d already done her makeup—a light, subtle hand—and Charlotte’s heart actually skipped a beat in her chest.

“Wow,” she breathed, regaining her ability to smile and pouring her charm into it. “You look… incredible. Are you certain this isn’t your engagement party?”

Sutton laughed, shaking her head. “Ha-ha. I have nights out like this so rarely, I figure I should take advantage when I can.” She stood back and gestured for Charlotte to come in quickly. “Come on, it’s getting chilly out.”

Charlotte walked through the threshold into the welcoming front hallway of Sutton’s home for the second time. The hardwood floors shined and seemed so welcoming; the house itself was warm but not stifling. She wasn’t surprised at all by the inviting, peach-colored walls that led down to the living and dining area; it felt like a home. Pictures hung on the walls everywhere: pictures of Sutton and Lucy; Emma and Regan; Lucy, Sutton, Emma, and Regan in any combination; handfuls with Sutton’s parents mixed in; her siblings, who Charlotte presumed were their children… It was charming and cozy, and it was so Sutton.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Sutton asked.

Charlotte arched an eyebrow at her. “To confirm yet again, after the text you have already sent me… Yes. I do.”

Sutton tangled her fingers in front of her, studying Charlotte before she shrugged loftily. “Okay. I just—I don’t want you to feel like you have to.”

“I would never watch a child out of obligation.” The words slipped out of her mouth quickly, but, well, they were true.

Sutton laughed, the apprehension disappearing from her face with it. “That’s a good point.”

“Who was supposed to be watching her tonight?” Charlotte couldn’t help but ask. She knew that Sutton knew Emma, Regan, and her other babysitter wouldn’t be available, and she must have had other arrangements.

“It was supposed to be Arianne, Layla’s wife,” she explained, pulling a slightly tight expression. “Layla is on call tonight in the ER, but Arianne was unexpectedly called into a surgery as well. I suppose it’s hard to be upset with that.”

Charlotte’s mouth twisted into a scowl. “Not really.”

Again, Sutton laughed, pushing at Charlotte’s shoulder with her own. “The downsides of co-parenting with surgeons, I suppose.” She lingered closely, though, still smiling, and Charlotte reveled in it. Sutton’s gaze dipped to the bags she was carrying. “What are those?”

Charlotte’s hold tightened as she resolutely did not look down. “Just some kid-friendly fun.”

The look Sutton gave her was utterly ludicrous. “What kind of kid-friendly fun? Lucy has so many toys; you didn’t have to bring anything.”

Charlotte winked. “Better safe than sorry.”

Truly, though.

Sutton’s incredulous expression hardly faded, though she didn’t seem to have anything else to say. “All right. Well, I should be leaving soon. Lucy is washing up. I told her you’d be coming, and she was very excited.”

“She was?” Charlotte asked, the surprise pushing through her.

Sutton chuckled again. “I told you before. You are on the television . That makes you very high up on her cool-person list.”

Charlotte admittedly puffed out her chest at that, even if it felt ridiculous. What did it matter if a six-year-old thought she was cool?

Then again—she gazed at Sutton for a beat—this six-year-old’s opinion did matter.

“She’s already had dinner. There’s a drawer in the pantry for Lucy-appropriate snacks—you’ll know which one it is,” Sutton assured her. “Since it’s a school night, she should be in bed by eight-thirty. She might fuss about it, but she’ll be exhausted not too much later than that, so she should be easy.”

Charlotte nodded, cataloguing every piece of information.

“If you need me, you know where to reach me. My phone is fully charged, I’m less than an hour away, and when it comes to Lucy, my volume is on, too,” Sutton informed her as she reached for her jacket.

A fissure of nerves pushed through Charlotte as she reached out quickly. “Wait, that’s it? That’s all? You aren’t going to tell me the exact bedtime routine or allergies or doctors’ numbers or?—”

The list of things she’d thought about on the way over rolled off her tongue.

Sutton cut her off with only a look. A gentle look. One of softness and amusement and… something sweet in there, too.

“Charlotte, I wouldn’t let you watch Lucy if I didn’t trust you.”

“You trust me,” she repeated, feeling uncharacteristically stupid. It felt nice to hear, yet still it was shocking , considering, well, everything in their history.

Sutton hesitated before she nodded. “I trust that if something was going to happen to my daughter, you would handle it. My actual biggest fear is that you would call the National Guard for a very minor problem and that we will be on the next news story.”

Charlotte pursed her lips. “Very funny.”

It wasn’t not in the realm of possibilities…

Sutton seemed to know it and grinned at her again. Her smile was full of warmth, with just a tinge of mischief. “I am kind of looking forward to seeing how you handle this, I’ll be honest.”

Charlotte’s eyebrows lifted nearly into her hair. “Is this some sort of challenge?”

“Charlotte Thompson versus Lucy Spencer-West. Both enter. Will they both survive?” Sutton challenged before breaking into a sweet laugh. “I find it very nice to be your friend again, Charlotte.”

God. Yeah. That word… The huge positives behind it and the longing she had for more twisted inside of her, even as she nodded.

“Me, too.”

“Lucy,” Sutton called, “I’m leaving!”

Little footsteps came pounding down the hallway, washing away Charlotte’s warm feelings to replace them with nerves. It was only a couple of hours, she reminded herself, before Lucy was supposed to go to bed. Right?

Lucy’s hair was slightly damp and braided, clearly indicating that she had had a bath in the recent past. She was wearing some sort of children’s themed—Charlotte would have to figure out what exactly said theme was—matching pajama top and bottoms. They were clearly a favorite pair, as they were a little worn.

She hopped right into Sutton’s waiting arms, clearly a goodbye ritual. Sutton laid a kiss on Lucy’s cheek before Lucy mirrored it on Sutton’s, then squirmed down her mother’s legs like a little monkey. “I love you.”

“I love you more,” Sutton mirrored. “Be good for Charlotte, honey.”

“I willlll,” Lucy sang in a way that made Charlotte wonder about the validity of that statement.

“Be good for Lucy,” Sutton aimed at her, a warm laugh in her voice.

“I will,” Charlotte echoed. She would be .

“Goodbye you two.” Sutton waved/ “I’ll be back in a few hours. Before midnight.”

Charlotte gamely waved before looking down at Lucy, whose big, bright blue eyes were already on her as she bounced on her feet. “I watched you on the TV with Mama on Monday!” she announced.

Charlotte cleared her throat, nodding as she thought about her appearance on CNN to discuss her developing healthcare initiative. She could work with that. “What did you think?”

Lucy shrugged, playing with the bottom of her pajama shirt with fidgety hands. “I dunno. It was boring stuff. But you looked pretty,” she asserted brightly.

“I’ll take that,” she accepted. She gently set down the bag before sliding her jacket off and hanging it over the back of an armchair. “So…”

“Soooo…” Lucy mimicked her, staring up at Charlotte as she bounced back and forth on her feet, silence surrounding them.

Lord, what was Charlotte doing here? How did she talk to a child? She’d gone forty years without engaging in conversation with someone this young, just the two of them!

“What’s in the bag?” Lucy asked, clearly and thankfully not feeling the same sort of awkward nerve that Charlotte was.

Charlotte was relieved she’d had Autumn go to the store for her as she tugged the bag back up. “Ah! Well, I thought I would bring us some things to… play with?” That seemed like the appropriate terminology.

Lucy’s eyes—the exact same color and shape as Sutton’s—widened adorably. “Can I see? Please?!” She held her hands out excitedly but didn’t move to take the bag or peek into it herself. Charlotte attributed this to good parenting; god, had she seen some entitled children in her social circle.

Charlotte acquiesced, and Lucy squealed, revealing her missing teeth in an exuberant smile as she took the bag.

And Charlotte… well, Charlotte was truly worried about what she was in for.