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’rebabysitting?!”
She huffed out a breath. “And?”
“Andyou’rebabysitting,” 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’dbeenthat 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 thiswasdifferent.
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 itso 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’tyourengagement 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; itfeltlike 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 yousureyou 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 youhaveto.”
