"Dad," Charlie protests, but I just laugh.
"Guilty as charged. Though in my defense, she's pretty distracting herself."
I glance at Charlie, whose cheeks have gone adorably pink. This is actually kind of fun.
"Bash!"
A whirlwind of energy crashes into our group. Emily, I'd remember her anywhere. She has a mischievous glint in her eye that immediately makes me understand why Charlie was so wary of her scheming. She gives me an exaggerated once-over before pulling me into a hug. "My sister has beensosecretive about you."
Over Emily's shoulder, I catch Charlie's warning look, but Emily just winks at me. She knows exactly what she's doing.
"Don't scare him off before we even board, Em," Charlie mutters.
"Oh, please. If your stories about him are true, he doesn't scare easily." Emily steps back, examining me. "Though you didn't mention the whole 'walks straight out of a snowboarding magazine' vibe."
Margaret chuckles. "Emily, let the poor man breathe."
"I don't mind," I say, grinning at Charlie. "I'm just glad to hear she talks about me."
Charlie narrows her eyes, and I can practically hear her thinking,don’t push it.
"Not all good things," she says lightly.
"Oh hush." Margaret laughs, linking her arm through mine as we walk toward the check-in counter. "Sebastian, tell me, have you ever been to Aspen before?"
"Call me Bash, please. And yes, ma'am. I grew up in Colorado, actually. I used to compete there sometimes when I was snowboarding professionally."
"Professional snowboarder, huh?" Richard's interest perks up visibly. "Yes, Emily did mention that at dinner the other night. Although I would think Charlotte would have told us."
Charlie looks slightly panicked. We hadn't gone over my entire athletic history during dinner. "It didn't come up before," she says.
"There's a lot to learn about your boyfriend, Charlotte," Margaret says with a knowing smile. "Though I imagine you two have been too busy with other things to discuss winter sports."
"Mom!" Charlie and Emily say in unison.
I laugh, easing the tension. "I'll bore you all with snowboarding stories around the fire pit. Promise."
We reach the check-in counter, and the agent greets us with a professional smile. "Good morning. Boarding passes and I.D. please."
While Richard handles the check-in process, I study our boarding passes.
"Excuse me," I ask the agent. "I was wondering if there are any more first class seats available on this flight?"
The agent types something into her computer, then shakes her head. "No, I'm sorry, sir. First class is completely full."
I nod, then say, "In that case, would it be possible to give my first class seat to Emily Whitaker here? I'll take her coach seat instead."
Four pairs of Whitaker eyes turn to stare at me in shock.
"You... what?" Charlie whispers.
Emily's mouth hangs open. "Are you serious?"
"Of course." I shrug like it's no big deal. "Charlie and I should sit together, and this way, Emily, you can enjoy first class."
The agent looks between us. "That's an unusual request, but we can certainly process that change if everyone agrees. Miss?" She directs this to Emily. "Are you okay with this arrangement?"
"Hell yeah—I mean, yes, absolutely!" Emily practically bounces with excitement. She throws her arms around me in a spontaneous hug. "You're the best! Charlie, your boyfriend is the best!"
