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“Oh?” Ali’s head tipped upward, eyes crinkling. “Any specific reason?”

“I would be remiss to deny my curiosity for one piece in particular.” Charlotte eased back, just enough to give her a real smile. “I’ll see you in a few hours. I’ll be the one in a rather striking blue suit, if I do say so myself.”

Ali’s gaze trailed over the length of her, taking in Persian blue fabric tailored to perfection, brown eyes darkened further. Charlotte felt the spark of attraction flare into a flame before Ali finally turned to go.

Only a handful of minutes passed when her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Ali McCarthy

Today 3:07PM

You know, as striking as that suit is…

It would look even better on my bedroom floor.

Oh? I’m not so certain.

Perhaps this is a theory we should test.

Yes, I believe you’re right. ;)

Charlotte’s mouth watered and her pulse skipped. She really wanted to test that theory.

The Pryce clan swept through the doors ahead of Charlotte and her family. Sasha’s brother Andre, sister Jasmine, and their children trailing behind, all summoned by Natasha’s insistence that attendance was mandatory.

A hush rippled out across the crowd as faces turned. Old money earned recognition in certain circles. Both families were known for their charity, but Diana’s support for the arts made her practically royalty here.

The gallery was small, tucked between two boutiques, but it held a reputation for discovering diamonds yet unknown.

Charlotte’s eyes swept the crowd, searching for a familiar swatch of red hair. Their eyes locked and a bright smile spread like a new dawn across Ali’s face. As though drawn by a string Charlotte moved without thinking. The crowd instinctively shifted aside. The forest green dress caught the light as Ali turned. Silk hugged her curves like sin before falling in soft waves to the floor. Her golden locket glimmered against her skin, fingers tracing the etched sun in its center… a nervous tic if Charlotte learned anything at all.

“Darling,” Charlotte greeted, eyes dragging over Ali’s figure, drinking her in. “You look stunning.”

Her hands found Ali’s hips before she could stop herself, fingers itching to ghost over her curves. What she wouldn’t give for the chance to map every inch of her.

“Honey bunny, you came!” Ali beamed, eyes lined in simple black wings were brighter than they’d been in weeks.

“Told you I wouldn’t miss it,” Charlotte said, smile tugging wider. “You look…” She trailed off before she repeated herself like some lovestruck teenager.

“Do you like it?” Ali asked, spinning in a small circle, skirts whispering around her legs.

Charlotte leaned in, voice dipping low. “It looks incredible on you but I’d love it more on my bedroom floor.”

Ali’s laugh caught halfway between delight and panic as her face paled. “I might throw up,” she confessed, a fluttering hand coming to rest over her stomach.

Charlotte straightened, concern wiping away her teasing. “Why?”

“There are four very important people,” she whispered. “I have no idea what they’re doing here of all places. Maybe they’re scouting? Maybe they’re just here for the open bar? I can’t—this is too much pressure. It shouldn’t matter but it does, and I’m not—why would they even⁠—”

Charlotte didn’t let her finish. She leaned in like they’d done this dance a thousand times and kissed her long enough to silence her spiral.

“Breathe for me,” she murmured when she pulled back.

Ali obeyed, sucking air into her lungs, cheeks puffing out as she held it. Charlotte laced their fingers together, thumbs running over hers in a steady rhythm.

“You’re brilliant,” she assured her quietly. “It’s okay to be nervous, just don’t let those nerves spoil your night. You paint because you love it. And what you have to say with your art is worth showing the world.”

Ali’s shoulders loosened as tension unspooled in her form. “You’re right. Thank you.”