So it was so easy for the words to fall out of her mouth. “Do you want to…?” She trailed off, gesturing at the arena.
Charlotte’s brows crinkled as she shook her head. “What? No. That’s—ridiculous.”
Sutton found the excitement moving through her as she lifted her eyebrows and reached out to touch Charlotte’s arm. “You’re it.”
Charlotte’s frown only deepened in incredulity. “It? I’mit?”
Sutton backed away from her slowly, laughing. “Yes,it. Like in tag. And now you have to catch me, to make meit.”
“Sutton…”
“I grew up with four siblings, I’ve always had a Regan, and I have a six-year-old. Beingitis a very serious crime,” she teased, waiting a few seconds as Charlotte continued to stare at her.
The more time that ticked by, the more embarrassed she felt. This was what happened when she dropped her guard and got swept away in the fact that Charlotte had pulled all of these strings to get her access to an exclusive present for Lucy. This was what happened?—
“If I recall, you used to enjoy going on a run,” Charlotte mused, breaking Sutton out of her thoughts. “Do you still have time for that?”
Sutton tilted her head. “Um, occasionally. Not as often as I used to. Wh—hey!”
She cut herself off on a shout as Charlotte lunged toward her, a devious grin on her face.
She was just barely able to evade her, darting to the left toward the start of the maze.
They raced through the empty complex, Sutton barely managing to stay a step ahead of Charlotte. Until, that is, they hit the netted trampoline, and Sutton lost her footing.
She fell, feeling Charlotte trip right over her, as they bounced together on the trampoline.
She managed to flip onto her back, breathless from the running and the laughter, joyful in a way that she couldn’t remember being for a reason that didn’t involve Lucy in too painfully long to consider.
Charlotte’s body pressed into hers, her hands on either side of Sutton’s head, as the bouncing came to a stop. She stared up into Charlotte’s eyes, feeling warmed from head to toe as Charlotte smiled so brightly down at her, unbridled laughter all over her face.
And it was so easy to feel honored by it. Toknowshe was the only one who ever got to see Charlotte like this, even if Charlotte didn’t say that.
So easy, it was utterly terrifying.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Yes,I look forward to our meeting in the New Year. Right. Happy holidays to you as well,” Charlotte said diplomatically as she gave a smile to Deena Rogers. Then she ducked into her car before the woman could get another word in.
She didn’t fully relax, though, until Autumn slid into the other side of the car, with the door shut and locked behind her.
“Amazing secretary of education. Terribly, inconveniently chatty person,” Charlotte commented as the car pulled out of the long driveway and into traffic. Safety.
She’d attended a simple brunch on Christmas Eve—for all officials still in the D.C. area for the holidays—hosted by Rogers at her luxurious home. Charlotte had debated attending but ultimately didn’t have any other plans and felt it was always beneficial to network when she was able to.
Especially at a function like today’s, where all working done was just that—networking. Eating food, making connections, with no “official” business on the table.
But she’d planned on leaving the event by three this afternoon. It was approaching five now, making the idea that this was a brunch a laughable one.
Autumn gave a quiet snort. “I would never voice it aloud, but given thatyoudid…” She nodded as she crossed her legs and pulled out her work tablet. “But I believe that completes all of your obligations for the calendar year.”
Charlotte was well aware of this, but she appreciated the confirmation nonetheless. “Thank you. And thank you also for attending. I hope you didn’t feel you were obligated.”
She meant that.
Maya had left the city to go be with her family for the holidays two days ago and would have time off until January 2. Charlotte had offered Autumn the same ten-day vacation, but Autumn had hesitated before dismissing the offer, saying, “You have the Christmas Eve brunch.”
“I promise you, I’m capable of attending a meal alone,” Charlotte had dryly responded.
