“A pre-birthday orgasm,” Charlotte had murmured into her ear, her breathing ragged. “Since I’ll be busy tonight.”
And, true to her word, Charlotte had been wrapped up for most of the day yesterday. She’d first gone to a meeting at the Thompson Foundation before heading into a legislative session for the rest of the day.
“Mom, Charlotteisa senator; you of all people know how this kind of schedule works and that certain things can’t be easily moved around.”
Charlotte had apologized to Sutton several times about the fact that she wouldn’t be able to join in on Sutton’s family time for the majority of her parents’ visit.
Which, as Sutton had assured her, she didn’t need to do.
But even when Sutton had insisted, “You don’t have anything to prove to my parents, love,” Charlotte had gotten that determined glint in her eye as she’d murmured, “Oh, but I do.”
Sutton truly loved when Charlotte got that look.
Her mom cleared her throat, bringing Sutton out of her thoughts. “I am well aware of Charlotte’s occupation, hon. I just hope that she really will be making it to dinner tonight so that I can get to know her a bit more.”
Before Sutton could respond, they turned the corner to the block the restaurant was on, and immediately, a smile broke out over her face.
Waiting just outside the restaurant—early for their reservation—was Charlotte.
Charlotte rolled her shoulders back as if preparing herself for something more than dinner with Sutton’s parents, even as an easy grin tugged at her lips.
“Charlotte! I wasjusttelling my grandpa about you!” Lucy exclaimed, dropping Jack’s hand to rush forward and throw her arms around Charlotte’s hips to hug her hello.
Charlotte dropped a hand to the back of Lucy’s head, stroking over her hair as she beamed down at her. “Were you? What kinds of things?”
Lucy shrugged as she pulled back. “All kinds!”
Sutton’s father offered her his hand, a small, reserved smile on his mouth. “Nice to see you.”
Charlotte returned his handshake quickly and firmly. “You as well.”
Sutton pushed forward next, shaking her head in joking exasperation as she managed to get close enough to Charlotte to press a kiss to her lips. “I get the third greeting, and it’s my birthday,” she murmured as she pulled back.
“You, my darling, are always my first thought, no matter who I verbally greet first,” Charlotte returned so easily.
And, yes, that was a weak feeling in her knees.
Reluctantly, Sutton moved to Charlotte’s side, conscientious that they were both in public and with her family.
She held her breath as her mom took a step closer, leaning in to give Charlotte a hug.
It wasn’t the kind of deep hug that Katherine gave to Sutton or Lucy or, really, anyone she deeply cared for. But a hug from her mother meant that she reallywastrying or she’d have offered Charlotte only a smile in greeting.
It made the nervous knots that were tied up in Sutton’s stomach relax just a bit.
“Charlotte, very good to see you. I’ve heard you’ve had a busy couple of days,” Katherine commented, lifting her eyebrows.
“I have, unfortunately, but I made it clear on my calendar that under no circumstances was I to be interrupted this evening or tomorrow,” Charlotte stated, angling her jaw up so she could hold steady eye contact with Katherine.
Sutton slid her gaze back and forth between the two, squeezing Charlotte’s hand in her own. “Thank you, love.”
“Yes, that is very much appreciated,” her mother agreed, leveling an appraising look at Charlotte. “I would love to be able to use this time to get to know you a bit more.”
“Good; I’m looking forward to it.” Charlotte drew herself up to her full height, something that managed to look impressive, even though she was shorter than both Sutton and Katherine. “But I’m not here to play any games, Katherine. I understand why you’d been wary of me all of those years ago. Because you were right back then; I wasn’t ready. While I had been in love with Sutton, I didn’t know what to do with it, and I broke her heart.”
Sutton turned sharply to face Charlotte as she spoke. As much as she loved and adored the fact that Charlotte was willing to face her mother and say these things,she didn’t have to.
Katherine opened her mouth, but Charlotte barreled on. “I don’t think that’s the most important thing to focus on, though. I know why you do, but I think the most important thing for you to know is that I’ve never stopped being in love with Sutton. Out of all of the regrets I might have in my life, missing all of that time with Sutton because I didn’t know how to get out of my own way will be the worst moment I have to live with. But I learn from my mistakes, and I’m not going to make the same ones again.”
