by Holly Rayner
“I can’t believe how lovely he is,” she whispered. “He’s going to be such a good dad.”
“I feel like I’m living a dream,” Charlotte admitted. “I didn’t mean to tell him in such a dramatic way. With the car accident and everything.”
“You never used to be the dramatic type,” Chelsea laughed. “Maybe now you’ll find a new hobby in theatrics.”
“I suppose I’ll have to have a better sense of humor,” Charlotte admitted.
In that moment, Sean pulled up in his black Tesla and strode toward the passenger side, opening the door. He helped Charlotte dip into the car, and they said goodbye to Chelsea, receiving kisses from her on both cheeks before Sean crept the Tesla from the parking lot and out onto the late-night city streets. Charlotte’s stomach grumbled with hunger, and she admitted it—saying she’d have to order some food when she arrived back to her place.
“Are you sure?” Sean asked, frowning. “I want to take care of you. I want to make sure you’re all right. I was going to take you to my place.”
Charlotte remembered the penthouse, with its gleaming view of the water and the sparkling downtown buildings, and that massive, king-sized bed. She wondered what would happen on it, if it would be a romantic affair, or if they would simply fall asleep beside each other, not touching. The question of it all turned her brain over.
They arrived at Sean’s penthouse, and Sean pulled out his cellphone, ordering them two large pizzas with all the toppings. Charlotte leaned back on the couch, waiting for him to come to her. She felt she was regaining her strength, that it would be soon time to explain to him the depths of Katrina Ellis’ mission to betray him. Every moment that she didn’t tell him, Katrina and Evan were further along in their plan.
The pizza arrived quickly, alerting Charlotte that Sean clearly had a finger on the pulse of the pizza delivery industry. “We all do,” he affirmed cryptically, alluding to the other tech moguls. “Steve Jobs received his pizzas in like five minutes. They had an algorithm that told when he’d want it, and what he’d want. He usually ordered mushrooms on Thursdays.”
“That’s just a rumor,” Charlotte laughed, placing the triangular end into her mouth. The warmth of it relaxed her, causing her to dip her head closer to his shoulder.
“I haven’t validated the claims myself. But it seems plausible,” Sean said, teasing her. “Anyway. If you feel up for it, I’d love to hear more about Evan.” He blinked toward her, expectant.
Charlotte’s expression hardened, growing serious. “Well. I followed Katrina to this diner on the outside of town, where I saw her kissing Evan.”
“But he’s married…”
“I know,” Charlotte said, her eyes dark. “Katrina mentioned to him that she’d had me suspended from the case, due to my pregnancy by Sean. And they celebrated this, given that she now had the complete ability to tank your case and allow Evan to win. He mentioned something about a payout of a couple million dollars.”
Sean placed his pizza back on his plate, rubbing his palms together. “This is quite a tale,” he said. “It’s actually quite fascinating, if I’m being honest. They want to drag my name through the mud and take something I’ve been building my entire life and claim it as their own. Impressive, really. The stuff of comic book evil.”
“You’re being quite calm about this,” Charlotte admitted. “What do you think we should do? I’ve lost my job. I’m not on the inside anymore.”
Sean thought for a moment, scratching at his growing beard. He looked gruff, but still unfairly sexy. “I think I’ll call a meeting. But we need to ensure that both Katrina and Evan are there. We need to blindside them.”
Charlotte thought for a moment, her mind still hazy from the terror of the car accident and the shock of her triplet pregnancy. As she did, a few choice words ran through her head. She snapped her fingers. “Right before I left the diner, I heard Katrina mention something about the Excelsior. They planned to meet there. On Sunday, at five. I’m sure of it.”
Sean clapped his hands just once, excitement brimming. “You’re a glorious spy, Miss Waters,” he said. He looked as if he might kiss her in that moment, but he held himself back. Tension brewed between them. “We have to arrange a meeting,” he said. “We’ll invite her father. And Lyle. And of course, you’ll have to attend.”
“They won’t take kindly to me being there,” Charlotte admitted. She still felt chills when she remembered what Lyle had said to her, spewing such parental disappointment and anger. She swallowed, shoving her pizza to the side. Exhaustion had taken hold.
Seeing this, Sean wrapped his arms around her and helped her to her feet, stroking lightly at the bandage wrapped around her head. “Let’s not talk about this any longer. Not tonight,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “This accessory you’re wearing these days is especially beautiful, by the way.”
“The bandage? I know. I only had to risk my life to get it,” Charlotte giggled.
“Well, I’m glad you can make light of it already,” Sean joked. He lifted her onto the bed and helped her remove her clothes. He glanced at her body but didn’t say anything, handing her one of his old T-shirts. “I, for one, am still riddled with anxiety about it. When I heard the impact and the screeching tires, I got this flashback to when I first saw you at Yale. How young and hopeful you were. I thought—perhaps—that I’d been the last person to ever speak to you. And that terrified me.” He looked at her sheepishly, clearly still in shock.
Charlotte reached her hands around his neck and hugged him, unable to find the right words. She was grateful for the past, and she was grateful for that day, when a series of unfortunate events had led her to sleep in his bed, to soak in the warmth of it.
“Warning,” Charlotte whispered, draping her head over the pillow. “I’m going to sleep till at least noon tomorrow. There’s four of me, now. And we’re all exhausted.”
Sean gave her a final laugh, pushing her hair behind her ear. “Have safe and sweet dreams, my Charlotte. I’ll stay up worrying about how we’re going to send all these kids to Yale. Three of them? What kind of tuition is that?”
“Good thing you’re a billionaire,” Charlotte murmured, moments before drifting off.
The pair of them slept long into the morning, preparing for the days ahead, during which they’d take on their enemies as a united force. This would be their first test as a team, before adjusting to a life together—romantic or not. Charlotte could hardly wait.
Chapter 16
Charlotte spent the following two days at Sean’s place, just living in Sean’s T-shirts, switching from television station to station, in full-on recovery mode. Of course, every time Sean went to the office for a meeting, she would pull out her notes on the Evan Greene case, looking for every extra bit of evidence to throw in Evan’s face. She knew that Sean wanted her to rest, but her mind never turned off. It was a curse.
Sean called Lyle that afternoon, suggesting a meeting at Excelsior with Lyle and Mr. Ellis himself.
“You want the old man there?” Lyle joked. Charles Ellis didn’t often come out to meetings, given that he hadn’t actually represented anyone in several years. “He won’t have any real insight on your case. And he gets cranky in the afternoons.”
“It’s just necessary that he be there,” Sean said, not giving away a single drop of information. “If you could arrange it, Lyle.”
Of course, Lyle could do nothing but follow orders.
After the phone call, Sean noted that Lyle still hadn’t come clean about Charlotte being taken from the case. “I wonder if he’s too nervous to tell me, because he doesn’t want to be the one to inform me about the pregnancy?” Sean laughed, sweeping his T-shirt from his back and preparing to jump into the shower.
Charlotte watched him stretch out, his muscles rippling. She longed to run her fingers over his body. But she sat, tucked into the couch, like an island. Time was of the essence, and she still hadn’t found the time—or the courage—to ask h
im what they were to each other.
Sean and Charlotte arrived early to Excelsior, requesting the staff to set a table for six people, rather than the initial three. The staff recognized Sean’s face, and they scrambled to complete his request, tossing plates to one another in a mad Frisbee game, unfolding new tablecloths with flourish.
Charlotte had to laugh, wrapping her arm around Sean’s. “They practically worship you.”
“They wouldn’t if they knew how normal I am,” Sean admitted, grinning. “With three babies on the way. And my party days behind me.”
“What party days?” Charlotte laughed.
“Good point.”
Moments before five, Charlotte walked toward the ladies’ room, hiding behind a marble pillar. She could see and hear what was going on at the table, but she wasn’t visible. Sean would greet Mr. Ellis and Lyle without her, and then she’d surprise the team.
Lyle and Mr. Ellis arrived, then. Charles Ellis’ squat legs were slow, his stout form taut against his suit. He propelled a sweating hand toward Sean, and Sean shook it, bringing his free arm to Lyle’s back.
“Good to see you both,” Sean said. “Thanks for meeting me at such short notice.”
Lyle gestured toward the table. “It seems the table’s been set for too many. There’s just three of us,” he said, his eyebrows forming a crinkle on his forehead. “Should we move?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Sean said, his voice firm.
At that moment, Charlotte emerged from her hiding place, walking confidently toward them. She swept her shoulders back and gave them a sure smile. “Hello, Lyle. Hello, Mr. Ellis,” she said, smooth as honey.
Lyle’s jaw dropped open. His eyes turned to Mr. Ellis, whose face burned bright red.
“My dear. I don’t know what you think you’re doing here—” Charles began. His lips were bumbling. He looked like a caricature of himself.
Charlotte turned her gaze toward Sean. “Actually, Sean’s requested I attend today.”
“All will be revealed in just a moment,” Sean affirmed. He could hardly stifle his grin, noting that the clock had just struck five. It was nearly time to watch his enemies’ scheme come tumbling down.
They heard them before they saw them. Katrina was cackling, clearly already washed with a bit of pre-afternoon alcohol, and Evan was speaking in that droll voice of his, out through his nose. “Babe. Don’t cause a scene quite yet. Wait until I have my way with you later.”
As they turned the corner, in view of Charles, Lyle, Sean, and Charlotte, Evan leaned toward Katrina and caught his lips and teeth on her neck for a brief moment, at the very second Katrina’s eyes met with her father’s. Her jaw dropped.
“Daddy?” she cried. “What are you doing here?” Her eyes danced from Mr. Ellis, to Lyle, Sean, and finally, to Charlotte. “What the hell is going on?”
“I should ask you the same question, darling,” Mr. Ellis said. His face was lobster red, and his eyeballs seemed bound to roll from their sockets. “Out with Evan Greene—the very man we’re meant to be fighting against in this case?”
“I can explain…” Katrina began, her voice becoming high-pitched and needy. She looked shocked, as if she’d just been slapped. “It isn’t what it looks like.”
Evan ripped his hands from Katrina’s shoulders, taking a massive step to his right, away from her. They were separate people, then. With an entire foot’s difference in height between them, they didn’t even appear to belong together.
Evan’s eyes cut toward Sean. “Hello, there, old bud,” he said. His voice was gruff.
“Evan Greene. Didn’t think I’d see you till the courtroom!” Sean said joyously. “But you were always one to make a grand appearance. I remember that much from college. I also remember just how little you were involved in InvestMe. And just how much time you were spending with your future wife, back then. I wonder if she’s ever met Mr. Ellis’ daughter, Katrina? Boy, I bet they’d get along.” His sarcasm was harsh. It caused Lyle to squirm.
Evan couldn’t find words. He cleared his throat, clearly searching for an exit. Mr. Ellis continued to sputter and finally turned toward Charlotte, his eyes looking for answers. “Charlotte. Can you explain what’s going on? It seems somebody should.”
Charlotte leaped into lawyer mode, then, explaining that she’d suspected something was amiss with the case, given that Katrina wanted to fight against her strategy, every step of the way.
“Sure. But you were the one sleeping with the client,” Katrina snickered angrily. She was backed into a corner, lashing out.
Charlotte continued, unabashed. “I followed Katrina to a tiny diner outside of the city and found her speaking with Evan about their ‘plan’ to take down Sean. It was obvious they’ve been having an affair, and that Evan had offered Katrina a massive, multi-million-dollar payout to help him win the case. She had complete control on our side, given that she’d gotten me fired. After that, nothing was going to stop them from asserting, legally, that Evan was owed a slice of Lawson Technologies.”
Mr. Ellis turned his round face back toward his daughter, outraged. “You were going to sabotage me. After all I’ve done for you,” he whispered. “I gave you everything. But I never should have trusted you.”
The words stung Katrina, causing her to take a step back.
Evan spun from the group, then. He shouted something about “dropping the lawsuit,” and then stomped from the restaurant, slipping his hand into his pocket and dialing somebody. “Evan Green here,” he began. “Can I get a plane to New York for tonight? It’s urgent.” He was running away.
But Charlotte couldn’t care less. She watched in horror as Katrina began to weep, as Ellis continued to barrage her with his anger. Lyle turned toward Charlotte and spewed apology after apology.
Charlotte could hardly concentrate on them. She took a step toward Sean, giving him a shy smile. He wrapped his arm around her waist and hugged her, giving her a light kiss on the cheek. Lyle’s eyes danced from Charlotte to Sean, then back again.
“So it’s really happening between you two?” he asked, his tone inquisitive, friendly.
Charlotte grinned. She was grateful to have a happier conversation.
“I’ve never known you to date. Not since you took this job,” Lyle went on.
“I’ve been married to that job since I started, admittedly,” Charlotte laughed. “As you can see. Even after I get pregnant, I’m still stalking my colleagues, certain they’re up to something. I can’t turn this brain off.” She tapped her forehead, chuckling.
“In no uncertain terms, you saved the firm today,” Lyle said. His gaze was intense. “All those terrible things I said to you the other day, I take them back. You are my greatest employee, our greatest gift. Of course, your job is yours, should you want it. And when the baby is born, take as much time as you need; you can come back whenever you want.”
Charlotte grinned, turning toward Sean. Their lips were mere inches away from each other. “Should we tell him?” she asked.
“Only if you feel up to it.”
“We’re actually having three babies,” Charlotte whispered, jolting three digits into the air. “Which probably means I’ll struggle walking into that office soon. But if I get a comfier chair, and you don’t mind me taking frequent naps throughout the day and eating like a horse, I’d be glad to stick around for a while.”
Lyle wrapped his arms around her in a comfortable hug, congratulating both her and Sean. “It will be a privilege to have you back,” he said. “I swear, I’ll never take you for granted again.”
Sean and Charlotte said their goodbyes quickly, noting that Mr. Ellis and Katrina weren’t anywhere near being finished with their conversation. They’d retired to the bar, both of them staring into their whiskey glasses. Every few moments, Katrina would spew a “but you don’t understand!”, much in the spirit of a teenager, and Charlotte felt relieved that this woman who’d made her life so miserable would no longer pollute her world.
Sean led them out to his Tesla and helped Charlotte into the front seat. He smiled up at her, bobbing low on bent knees. “What do you say we have a nice dinner on my rooftop terrace?” he asked her. “It’s a clear night, probably one of the last of the year. We can bundle up and look at the stars.”
“I’d love that,” Charlotte replied.
She grinned at him sheepishly, and he pushed the door closed, stepping to the driver’s side. Happy, excited energy buzzed from them both, with the realization that the next, beautiful step of their lives was about to begin, and they would soon be bringing three tiny lives into the world.
Sean had called ahead, asking his staff to set the table for them and begin a feast. When they entered the apartment, in the kitchen stood a chef, a pastry chef, and a stand-in server, who Sean had on call. “Just in case I need him.”
“In case you need to be served at your home?” Charlotte joked.
“He just knows the best wines. I have a massive collection, but I don’t know what goes with what.” He winked at her, leading her to the rooftop terrace.
The view from the terrace was absolutely extraordinary. Charlotte felt wrapped in it on all sides, seeing the twinkling lights of the Space Needle, both Capitol Hill and Queen Anne, and the water stretching out to the horizon. The sun had begun its descent, with a bit of it nudged beneath the water. The water glowed orange.
The table was set beautifully, leaving Charlotte to affirm that having staff on standby was “very worth it,” even if it felt bit silly. Sean pulled her seat out for her, and she sat primly, noting she’d been poured a glass of sparkling grape juice.
“I feel like a child again,” she laughed, clinking her glass with his wine.
“Not at all. Sparkling grape juice is delicious,” Sean replied. “I hope you like lasagna.”