“What’s wrong, princess?” Mason asked. Now he was worried.
“You were on a date,” Hannah cried as Charlotte settled the baby back in Hannah’s arms with Mason already cooing over his daughter.
“It’s fine.” I waved it away.
“Hannah, you remember Luke, right?” Charlotte asked.
“Congratulations!” I offered Hannah, watching as she sniffed her daughter’s head, obviously smitten.
“Thanks,” Hannah replied. Beside her, Mason was unable to wipe the beaming smile from his face, not that I could blame him. His whole world was in this room, and I wasn’t even embarrassed to be jealous. Mason Flynn was one lucky son of a bitch.
Twenty minutes later we were tucked in the back of a cab, a very sleepy Charlotte leaning on my shoulder as we headed for her apartment. While she let her eyes fall closed, the fact wasn’t lost on me how different this trip was to Charlotte's apartment. We’d gone from her trying to rip my clothes off to now, a puddle of drool on my shoulder within a matter of hours.
After I’d helped her upstairs and made sure she got safely inside, leaving her with a good night kiss, I headed home alone and slid, completely exhausted into bed. It hadn’t been the ending to the night I was hoping for, but in a way, it was even better. Without trying, Charlotte showed me more of who she really was. And I have to admit, I was fascinated.
“Well, let me know when Isla and I need to have another sleepover,” Mrs. Neal said with a wink before heading out the door and leaving me alone with my very hyped-up daughter.
Together, Isla and I made a mess of the kitchen making meatballs for dinner before I tucked her into bed and read her a story. It wasn’t until I was standing back in the kitchen, packing tomorrow’s lunch and cleaning up the bombsite, I reached for my phone.
Luke:What are you doing on Sunday?
I almost dropped my phone in the sink full of dirty dishes when her reply came instantly.
Charlotte:I’m so sorry about how last night ended
Luke:I’m not
I answered honestly. Did I wish the night ended with us hot, sweaty, and Charlotte screaming my name until the sun came up? Absolutely. But I also wasn’t sorry. Anxiously awaiting the birth of her best friend’s baby, sitting on uncomfortable chairs and drinking terrible coffee hadn’t been all bad.
Charlotte:You’re not?
Luke:Nope
Charlotte:You’re confusing me
Luke:Didn’t mean to. I just meant hanging out with you is never something to be sorry about
Charlotte:Awe! You’re sweet
Luke:So, Sunday?
I don't know why I was so nervous.
Charlotte:Sunday …
Charlotte:I’m all yours
I let out the breath I’d been holding.
Luke:I’ll pick you up at 10
Charlotte:10? That early on a Sunday morning. You better bring coffee
Luke:Noted
My phone fell silent, and I set it down and focused on locking up for the night. It wasn’t until I slid into bed that I saw Charlotte’s reply she’d sent earlier.
Charlotte:Looking forward to it
