Chapter 10
Isaac
Tip #10: In times of romantic confusion, consult with your team for advice.
I stalked up the path to Samuel’s mansion, the night air cool on my skin as my blood boiled with determination. Logan trotted after me, silent as a shadow. (Although he had pointedly looked at his wristwatch every ten seconds on the drive over, Logan hadn’t complained once since I’d shown up at his house and roused him from a dead sleep.)
We reached the front door, and I shoved my key into the lock. It clicked open and I charged inside, disarming the alarm system before it went off.
I had barely taken two steps inside when Samuel came tromping down the marble staircase, outrage twisting his handsome face.
“Do you have any idea what time it is?” he hissed. My twin was wearing a leopard-print silk bathrobe that stretched tight across his broad shoulders. The sash dangled precariously, and I dearly hoped Samuel was wearing something underneath his questionable nightwear.
“It’s midnight,” I said dryly. “What’s with the robe? Are you contemplating leaving your position as CEO to follow your lifelong dream to audition for a role in Cats the Musical ?”
Samuel glowered, planting his hands on his hips. “Your text woke me from a dead sleep! Since I sleep in my boxers, I had to grab Natalie’s robe so I wouldn’t scandalize the neighbors with your unannounced social call.”
“If your neighbors can see into your house, you have bigger problems than my midnight visit,” I said.
Samuel jabbed a finger at me, then swiveled his death glare to Logan. “And don’t think you’re getting off scot-free either, Logan! You’re on my shit list too! Right under Isaac.”
Logan shifted uncomfortably but wisely kept his trap shut.
Satisfied, Samuel returned his fury to me, the robe fluttering. “Now. Why are you busting in here in the middle of the night?”
I spoke without hesitation or preamble. “I’m in love with Charlotte.”
Samuel squinted at me. “Come again?”
“I said, I’m in love with Charlotte.” I spoke firmly—I’d been considering the matter ever since I’d left Charlotte’s home several hours prior. When I’d briefly rested my hands on her hips, I was nearly dumbstruck by the realization that I didn’t want to let go.
Samuel gaped at me for a long moment, then threw up his hands. “I need a drink.” He spun on his heel and stalked off, leopard-print robe swishing.
I followed, Logan once again trailing in my wake. “So you get it, right?” I asked Samuel’s retreating back. “You understand?”
Samuel stopped short and peered at me over his shoulder. “Oh, I understand all right. That’s why I need the drink.”
He marched off again with a huff. Logan and I exchanged a look before following him, our footsteps muffled by the plush carpet.
“I don’t get why you’re so shocked,” I said to Samuel’s back. “Last time I came to you for advice, you asked if I had feelings for her.”
“Just because I asked doesn’t mean I thought you’d actually fall for her.” Samuel tied the silk sash of Natalie’s bathrobe with an aggressive yank. “At least, not until she was long gone and then you’d drown your sorrows in spreadsheets and financial forecasts like the workaholic robot you are.”
“Thank you for the vote of confidence in my intellect,” I muttered.
With an exaggerated sigh, Samuel shuffled into his study and flicked on the lights.
The room was like something out of a Sherlock Holmes novel, all rich mahogany, supple leather, and gleaming brass. A tufted Chesterfield sofa dominated one wall, flanked by towering bookshelves, with a coffee table and several leather armchairs positioned in front of it.
Samuel snatched a bottle of bourbon off one of the shelves and grabbed three tumblers from a nearby tray. He paused, narrowed his eyes at me, then pointedly set one glass back down. The remaining two he plunked on the coffee table with a clunk.
“Alright, start talking.” Samuel dropped onto the Chesterfield with a dramatic whoosh of air.
“As I stated previously, I’m in love with Charlotte. I’m here—and I brought Logan here—because I need you to give me advice. I can only hope your counsel will be better than your fashion sense.”
(My twin in that bathrobe was a crime against eyeballs everywhere.)
Samuel poured two generous fingers of bourbon into each glass, the rich amber liquid glinting in the lamplight. A complex aroma of vanilla, caramel, and charred oak wafted through the air.
“OK, what kind of advice are you looking for, exactly?” He arched an eyebrow at me before taking a hefty swig from his tumbler.
I stared at him. Was he being purposefully dense? “Gee, I don’t know, Samuel. Given what I just told you, what kind of advice do you think I’m after?” My words dripped with sarcasm.
Samuel passed the second glass to Logan, who accepted it with a nod of thanks. Samuel waved his thanks off as he took another gulp. “You could want advice on a lot of things, oh twin of mine. You might want advice on how to get over a woman. Advice on how to ignore pesky things like feelings so you can stay focused on work. Or maybe,” he tapped his chin mockingly, “you might want advice on how to accept that the girl you love is quitting because you’re a control freak of a tyrant.”
I refrained from rolling my eyes at his childish antics—it would only egg him on. “I want to know how to win her over, you ass.”
Logan’s brows furrowed as he glanced between us. “You want to woo Charlotte… so you’re coming to us ?”
Samuel’s jaw slackened with surprise before he recovered and took another sip. “Let me get this straight. You, Isaac Warner, want to court and seduce Charlotte Fisher. Which would mean actually sacrificing work to spend time with her.” He whistled low. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
“I’m starting to think it’s a shame I didn’t absorb you in the womb,” I said.
Samuel raised his hands in supplication. “Sorry, sorry. I’m being an insensitive jerk, I know.” He settled back against the buttery leather Chesterfield, his demeanor shifting into something more earnest. “It’s just… this is huge, Isaac. Wanting to go after Charlotte, putting yourself out there—it shows real growth. I’m proud of you, even if I’m terrible at showing it.”
I nodded as I started pacing, prowling back and forth across the study’s Turkish rug like a caged panther.
Logan settled into an armchair and sipped at his bourbon.
Samuel, however, rubbed his hands together. “Alright, loverboy. Let’s start with the basics. How did it happen?”
I paused. “How?”
“Yeah. How did you fall in love with Charlotte?”
I thought for a moment, then started pacing again. “Easily.”
Samuel squinted at me. “Huh?”
“The how of falling in love with Charlotte was easy, as I’ve known all along what a wonderful person Charlotte is—and yes, I’ve been aware for years that she’s amazing for things beyond her work ethic, formidable intellect, and admirable competency,” I said.
“Good,” Samuel said, visibly relieved. “Because I was half afraid that was all you’d be able to list.”
“Charlotte is so much more than that,” I said, annoyed on Charlotte’s behalf. “I love her because we can be sent out on hectic, messy business trips that are nightmarish, and I’ll still look forward to the trip because I know she’ll be there with me. I love her because she’s addicting to be around, and we seamlessly fit together whether it’s a quiet car drive or exchanging jokes at a wretchedly boring business party.”
“Wow.” Samuel rested his elbows on his knees. “That was downright romantic. And now I feel bad about questioning your feelings.”
My pacing slowed to a stop as I continued to ponder Charlotte. “She’s also gorgeous,” I said, half distracted.
I’d always loved her long black hair and had wondered if it felt as silky as it looked. And I was conditioned like Pavlov’s dog to smile every time Charlotte got that spark in her eye whenever she thought of a solution to a particularly difficult problem.
Lately, though, I’d noticed how amazing she felt. Whether it was holding hands for a moment or times like tonight, when I’d held her in a tight hug. It didn’t just feel right to hold her, it felt necessary for life.
“So gorgeous,” I repeated.
Samuel and Logan exchanged a loaded glance, their expressions mixes of amusement and understanding.
“Well.” Samuel set his glass down on the coffee table with a soft clink. “You’ve got it bad, brother.”
I shrugged and sat down in the remaining leather armchair. “Of course I do. Charlotte’s incredible. Loving her is the easiest thing in the world.”
“OK, then why didn’t you fall for her until now?” Samuel asked.
I ran a hand through my hair, my brow furrowing. “Because I took it for granted that we would always be. That our partnership was forever. When she said she was leaving, I realized that even our solid friendship wasn’t guaranteed to last forever. Love, however, is.”
“That’s deep,” Samuel said.
Logan leaned forward, his dark eyes studying me intently. “You’re OK with her leaving Warner Print, then?”
Samuel pointed a finger at me. “Oh! Good question! I seem to remember you telling me not too long ago that you’d never think of an employee romantically. Power imbalance and all that.”
I took off my glasses and set them on the coffee table. “I’m not thrilled about her leaving, obviously. I wish she’d stay. But mostly I’m worried she’ll move away from Fox Creek for her next job.”
Logan slowly nodded. “Does that mean you wouldn’t be willing to follow her if she moved?”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “I couldn’t. I can’t leave Warner Print. Although maybe I could work out some sort of work-from-home arrangement and only commute to the office when necessary…”
Leaving Warner Print wasn’t an option.
It was more than just a business; it was my father’s legacy, started by my grandfather and shaped by members of my family. It had molded every aspect of my life, from my career path to the very reason I met Charlotte in the first place.
But I was reasonable. Maybe I could make things work as long as Charlotte stayed within a few hours of Fox Creek. She had said she wasn’t planning to leave Wisconsin, after all.
Samuel and Logan exchanged a loaded look. They clearly thought my uncertainty was trouble.
I scowled. “Are either of you actually going to give me advice on winning Charlotte over, or are we just going to keep playing twenty questions all night?”
My words hung in the air for a moment, the silence broken only by the ticking of the antique clock on the mantel.
Samuel twirled the silk sash in the air, a smirk playing on his lips. “Right, sorry for the delay. Let’s see…” He narrowed his eyes, tapping a finger against his chin. “How should you go about seducing the lovely Charlotte, especially considering she’s already well acquainted with all your worst traits and habits—of which there are many .”
He made a series of exaggerated humming noises, as if deep in thought. I turned to Logan, hoping for a more helpful response.
Logan shifted in the leather armchair, his expression uncomfortable. “I’m not the person to ask. I haven’t had a romantic relationship in years, and most women find me too intimidating to even talk to.”
“That’s true,” Samuel chimed in, nodding sagely.
I waved a dismissive hand. “That doesn’t matter. You know Charlotte well, and that’s what counts.”
“Also true,” Samuel agreed, his tone annoyingly chipper.
I shot my twin a pointed look. “Do you have any original thoughts on the matter, or are you just going to keep playing the role of the peanut gallery?”
Samuel held up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I do have some thoughts.” He swung his legs up onto the couch, reclining against the plush leather cushions like a therapist preparing to analyze a patient.
“The way I see it,” he began, steepling his fingers, “you’ll need to be completely up-front with Charlotte. It’s vital that you convey to her that your feelings are genuine and not just some ploy to manipulate her into staying at Warner Print.”
I nodded. “I agree. I was planning on telling her I’ll unquestionably accept her resignation as proof that my feelings have nothing to do with her job.”
Samuel’s eyes lit up. “Yes, that’s a good start! Show her that you respect her decisions and support her, even if it means losing her as an employee.”
“However.” I drummed my fingers on my thigh. “I’m not sure if I should outright confess my feelings to Charlotte and tell her I love her or if I should attempt to seduce her and ease her into hearing about my feelings.”
Samuel’s grin widened. “Oh, definitely woo her, brother dear. Romance the socks off that woman!”
Logan raised a skeptical eyebrow. “You refrained from telling Natalie how you felt about her and focused on wooing her for years. That almost ended badly.”
Samuel’s smile faltered, and he shot Logan an annoyed look. “First of all, we just had a rough patch because I’m bad at communicating. In the end we got married! Secondly, this is different,” he insisted, turning back to me. “If you declare your love without any proof, Charlotte will absolutely assume you’re just trying to keep her at Warner Print, no matter what you say.”
Logan hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly nodded his agreement.
Unable to sit any longer, I got up and resumed pacing across the antique Turkish rug, my steps measured and controlled despite the storm of emotions raging inside me. The intricate rug patterns blurred together as I tried to rein in my thoughts.
“You’re likely right, Samuel. However, trying to win Charlotte over is going to be hard, as I’ve never cared much whether people liked me or not,” I admitted.
Samuel snorted. “That’s for sure.”
“So, what do I do?” I asked.
“You know Charlotte extraordinarily well,” Samuel said, his tone encouraging. “You know what she likes and dislikes better than anyone.”
“That’s the problem. Charlotte knows me just as well. We’ve already adapted our actions to accommodate each other. Taking care of each other is second nature at this point.”
Samuel’s face lit up with a mischievous grin. “Aha! That means, my dear brother, that you’ve been friend-zoned!”
I grimaced at the term, but before I could respond, Logan spoke up, his deep voice cutting through the room.
“I disagree,” he said.
I furrowed my brow, trying to decipher Logan’s cryptic statement. “You disagree with what?”
Logan cleared his throat, looking as if he’d rather be anywhere else but here. “You’re not friend-zoned. Charlotte is friendly with you, but she also maintains a little distance, even when she’s around our family. She’s careful not to cross any lines.”
I frowned. “You’re saying I’m not just friend-zoned, I’m boss-zoned too?”
Samuel shook his head vehemently. “No, no! Logan has a point. She is friendly, but that tiny bit of distance she keeps implies she’s aware of you. And Charlotte respects you as her boss, sure, but she’s not impersonal or intimidated by you. Taking those two facets at face value, I’d say her behavior might imply that she finds you rather handsome.”
I raised an eyebrow at my identical twin, wondering where he was going with this.
Samuel grinned, preening as if he’d just paid himself a compliment. “I mean, how could she not? You’ve got a perfect face and an incredibly attractive physique.”
I rolled my eyes at his blatant self-flattery. “Charlotte isn’t the type to be won over solely by a pretty face.”
Logan nodded in agreement, while Samuel held up his hands in mock surrender. “True, true. But you should still use your devilishly good looks to your advantage.” He leaned forward, his expression turning serious. “More importantly, you and Charlotte already have such a comfortable relationship and spend so much time together. Use those moments to show her how much she means to you.”
I nodded slowly, mulling over his advice. Samuel had a point. Charlotte and I had a solid foundation to build upon. I just needed to figure out how to convey the depth of my feelings without scaring her away.
I opened my mouth to ask a follow-up question, but the sound of heavy footsteps in the hallway made me pause. Someone was approaching the study, and judging by the determined stride, they weren’t happy.
Natalie, disheveled and grumpy looking, appeared in the doorway. Her long, wavy ash-brown hair was messy, and if the black sweatshirt paired with green silk pajama pants was anything to go by, she’d been woken up.
“What is going on here?” she growled, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the room. “And why are Logan and Isaac here in the middle of the night?”
Samuel sprang up from his seat and crossed the room to plant a kiss on her cheek. “Nothing to worry about, my precious cabbage. Isaac just had a revelation: He’s in love with Charlotte!”
Natalie’s scowl softened and she squinted at me suspiciously. “Is that true, Isaac?”
I nodded, feeling a bit sheepish under her scrutiny. “Yeah, it is.”
Natalie’s face broke into a genuine smile, her attitude changing. “Congratulations! I’m so happy, and it’s about time you noticed her.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I appreciate your support, as Samuel and Logan haven’t been the most encouraging.” I eyed my brother in an attempt to silently communicate that this was how I’d wanted him to react.
Natalie whacked Samuel in the gut. “Don’t mind him, he’s been anxious for you ever since Charlotte announced she was quitting. On three different nights I woke up to find him pacing.”
“Darling, babe, sweet cakes, please don’t say anything more,” Samuel said.
Natalie scoffed, and I smiled at the reminder of why I was so fond of my sister-in-law. (Don’t get me wrong, I’d welcomed her into the family because Samuel was head over heels for her, but she’d fast become my favorite family member because she was a master at yanking my twin’s chain.)
Natalie stifled a yawn. “Well, I’m heading back to bed. Don’t stay up too late, you hear?”
Samuel swooped in for another kiss, this time on her lips. “Don’t worry, my darling. I can’t bear to be parted from you for much longer.”
“Same,” Natalie said. “Although if you stretched out my bathrobe, you’re buying me a new one.” She pointedly eyed the borrowed garb before she started shuffling toward the door.
It was the wrong thing to say to Samuel, the pervert, who was now eyeing the seams of the robe with clear plans of destruction.
I was idly wondering if Charlotte was turning me into a similar level of idiot, when Logan pointedly cleared his throat.
I turned my gaze to him.
Logan nodded toward Natalie’s retreating form. “She might just be your best source of help with Charlotte.”
I furrowed my brow, confused. “What do you mean?”
Logan shrugged. “Like I said, I haven’t dated recently, and Samuel only managed to marry Natalie because she approached him first and needed his help with a favor.”
“Excuse me,” Samuel said. “I had to work hard to put a ring on her finger, thank you.”
“No, Logan is right. If Natalie hadn’t made the first move, Samuel would have been single forever—pathetic and alone,” I said before raising my voice. “Natalie, wait.”
Natalie stopped in the doorway and spun around. “What’s up?” she said, her voice still thick with sleep.
“Would you be willing to give me some advice on how to win Charlotte over?” I asked.
In an instant, Natalie’s expression transformed from sleepy grouchiness to unbridled glee. She flounced back into the room, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I would love to help you, Isaac!” she exclaimed. “In fact, I can give you some insider information.”
Samuel grimaced. “Don’t tell me you’re related to Charlotte.” He groaned, then grumbled under his breath, “Natalie’s family is related to half of Fox Creek.”
Natalie playfully wiggled her eyebrows. “No, I’m not related to her. But my mother has worked with Charlotte’s mother for years. It’ll be a snap to get some extra intel.”
“Thanks, Natalie. I really appreciate your help,” I said.
“Of course, Isaac. I’m always happy to help out my favorite brother-in-law.” Natalie plopped down on the Chesterfield beside Samuel and snuggled into his side.
“He’s your only brother-in-law.” Although it came out as a grumble, Samuel warmly wrapped an arm around his wife and kissed the top of her head.
Natalie smiled at him before she turned her attention back to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Now, Isaac, tell me everything. Start from the beginning, and don’t leave out any juicy details!”