He just shook his head at her before leading her away and through the door, as she looked around in wonder at the enormous wall of balloons that led them through into the foyer of the hotel. It was beyond stunning—someone had put so much effort into making it feel like an incredibly special event.
When they got inside, Charlotte let go of his arm and exchanged it for a glass of champagne, clinking hers against Harrison’s as they both took a deep breath. They had a lot on the line tonight; they were both wanting to make the very best impression to everyone in attendance, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t have a good time. And Charlotte was determined to enjoy herself, no matter how tired she felt.
‘Shall we divide and conquer?’ Harrison asked. ‘I think we might get round everyone quicker that way, and we can meet up later?’
‘I agree. How about we work the room in opposite directions? Just promise me you’ll come and meet my family when they get here.’
‘Agreed,’ he said, giving her a conspiratorial smile before draining half his champagne and walking away from her.
Charlotte took a moment to watch him, indulging in the sight of his broad shoulders in his smart black tuxedo, and she vowed to find another event for them to go to together where he could wear it again. But in the meantime, she followed his lead and sipped a healthy amount of champagne before squaring her shoulders and heading towards a group of well-dressed couples who she could already hear were raving about whatever it was the waiter had brought them to sample.
Charlotte had barely spoken to more than a handful of people before she looked up and saw her family standing near the door, and she excused herself to go and see them. She took two champagne flutes from a waiter on her way, giving one to her grandmother and then her father when she reached them. But it was Amalie to whom she spoke first, after passing her grandmother and father their glasses, bending to greet her so that she was close to eye level with her wheelchair. She still couldn’t believe that they’d been able to bring her; or convince the respite facility to give her a two-hour pass, for that matter, and Charlotte felt emotional seeing that Amalie was clutching the little wooden box in her hand, wearing the diamond ring. Without that little box, Charlotte knew for a fact that she wouldn’t be standing there with her family.
‘Amalie, thank you so much for coming tonight,’ she said. ‘I know it’s probably the last thing you felt like doing, but it’s wonderful to have you here.’
Amalie’s grip on her hand was firm, and Charlotte welled up as she realised that they had four generations of her family in the room, which felt more than special.
‘Dad, Grandma, thank you for coming too,’ she said as she straightened. ‘It means a lot to have you all here.’ She only wished her brother had been able to attend, too.
‘Of course we’re here, we’re your family,’ her grandmother said.
Charlotte felt a touch to her lower back, and she turned to find Harrison standing there. She beamed at him, so pleased that he’d chosen to come over, especially when they hadn’t exactly known each other for long. But she’d talked so muchabout her family to him, including Amalie, that she imagined he was curious to meet them all.
‘Everyone, this is Harrison Reynolds. He’s the architect of the building, and he’s also one of the first friends I made when I returned to Oslo,’ she said. Charlotte was careful to keep things friendly rather than make it obvious they’d been seeing each other romantically, but from the raised eyebrow her grandmother gave her, she hadn’t fooled her.
‘It’s a stunning building, Harrison,’ Charlotte’s father said. ‘A true work of art, and very fitting for the location.’
‘Thank you, sir. The praise means a lot, and everyone tonight has been very generous with their kind words.’
‘This is Harrison?’ Amalie asked, her eyes cloudy in the light as she looked up at Harrison. Charlotte watched as he crouched down beside her so that it was easier for her to talk to him, her voice fainter than it had been earlier in the week and hard to hear. But she surprised them all when she reached for his hand. ‘You’re the boy Charlotte keeps talking about.’
Harrison laughed and looked up at her, and Charlotte felt her cheeks burn, but she just smiled. Amalie was only telling the truth—she had talked about him to her. A lot! She just hadn’t expected Amalie to remember—or say anything.
‘Well, I hope she’s only said good things,’ Harrison said. ‘To say that Charlotte has been the highlight of my time in Oslo would be an understatement.’
Charlotte’s cheeks burnt all the more then, but it was a welcome warmth, especially given the way he was looking up at her.
‘My husband and I built hotels, you know,’ Amalie said, her voice barely audible among the crowd of people. ‘I’m pleased I lived long enough to see this one.’
‘I think you’ve managed to impress my mother,’ Charlotte’s grandmother said, to which Charlotte’s father chuckled. ‘And take my word for it when I say that’s not easy to do.’
They all laughed, but Charlotte noticed Daniel walking towards them then, flanked by a very well-dressed couple, and he was rapidly gesturing for them to join him. Their conversation with her family would have to wait for another time.
‘Unfortunately, I think we’re needed,’ Charlotte said, bending down to tuck Amalie’s blanket more tightly around her knees, before giving her grandmother a quick hug and her father a kiss on the cheek as Harrison said goodbye and shook her father’s hand. ‘Thank you all for coming, though, it means so much to me to have you here.’
‘We wouldn’t have missed it for the world,’ her grandmother said, with the little cough that always managed to give Charlotte a burst of anxiety. ‘It’s nice to see you in your element and be able to support you.’
‘We’re both very proud of you, Lotte,’ her dad said, and she was almost certain she saw tears shining in his eyes. ‘More than I’m sure you could ever realise.’
‘I’ll see you all soon. Enjoy the champagne, and don’t forget to try the nibbles!’
She made her way quickly over to join Harrison and Daniel, or as quickly as she could go in the towering heels she was wearing, pausing only to look at a plate of canapés carried by a waiter dressed all in white. She’d spent hours creating the menu, and then checked in constantly throughout the day on her chefs to oversee everything, and she was very happy with how it had all turned out. She’d wanted to give a teaser to the menu on offer in the restaurant, with subtle flavours and plenty of gorgeous seafood, hoping all of the guests at the opening would be eager to come back for more.
‘This is Charlotte, our executive chef,’ Daniel said when she joined them. ‘Charlotte, this is Max and Chrissy, they’re my most important investment partners.’
‘It’s a pleasure to meet you both,’ she said, shaking their hands. ‘I hope you’re having a wonderful evening.’
‘Well, the champagne is excellent, the food is unparalleled, and the hotel is magnificent,’ Max said. ‘It doesn’t get any better than this.’
