Chapter Thirty-One
GAbrIEL
As I sat there at the kitchen table with Charlotte’s family, the similarities to my own were uncanny to me. The laughter, the interruptions, the lack of subtlety in questioning me. There was no doubt of the love they had for one another.
And when Austin left, and her mom and sister immediately started cursing her ex in Italian? Jesus, that was straight out of my mother’s playbook. Fierce, loyal, unfiltered.
I hadn’t expected to enjoy the situation as much as I did. Being invited into another layer of Charlotte’s world made me able to see her as a daughter and a sister, on top of what I already knew of her as a boss and mother. The knowledge made her feel even more complex, more magnetic to me.
At first, I’d been apprehensive about staying for dinner. Not because I wanted to leave but because I could feel how much this was freaking Charlotte out. She wore composure well, but beneath the surface, I could see how tightly strung she was.
I’d started to wonder if I’d overstayed my welcome and should make my excuses when Michelle stood. “Well, hate to eat and run, but Mom and I need to go.”
“I should probably get going, too,” I threw out, not wanting to be the reason they said a hasty goodbye.
But Michelle was already linking arms with their mother, hustling her toward the door with a grin that implied she knew exactly what she was doing. “Nice meeting you, Gabe. Charlotte, I’ll see you tomorrow for boxing.” And just like that, they vanished.
Which left me and Charlotte standing in her kitchen. Alone.
She turned, looking more than a little stunned.
“I didn’t mean to overstay my welcome,” I started carefully. “But honestly? I wasn’t sure how to leave.”
Her mouth curved, soft and reluctant. “I’m pretty sure I overheard them plotting to barricade the door in case you tried.”
I let out a laugh. “Your mom and sister remind me of my own family. Nosy, well-meaning, and utterly lacking in discretion. And it’s also clear how close you all are.
It’s nice to see.” My smile faded into something more serious.
“And listen…I get it. If you’d rather I didn’t come to Austin’s game next Saturday, I’ll respect it. ”
Her expression shifted. “He’d love it if you did. I just don’t know what to do about this.” She motioned between us.
I closed the gap between us, lifting my hand to brush the side of her face. The warmth of her skin was a brand against my palm. “Define this.”
She shook her head, eyes wide. “How about you go first?”
I swallowed hard, words caught between honesty and restraint. There were many things I wanted to say, but it was too soon for most of them. But one truth cut through the noise, undeniable.
“This is…different.”
“Different?” She tested the word.
“Yeah.” I drew in a breath, choosing my own next words carefully. “Different in the way I want to go slowly and not rush into something and wreck it before it starts.”
A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. “Go slowly, like the kind of restraint we showed in the garage? Or the kind where my entire family descends upon the house and wants to know your life story?”
My chuckle came naturally. “Although unexpected, it wasn’t unwelcome. Family is an important part of who we are. But perhaps we need to keep work at the office, and personal for outside of work?”
For a beat, neither of us spoke. The line between personal and professional stretched thin, and one wrong move could break the careful balance.
“I’d prefer to keep them separate, too.”
I blew out a long breath. “Deal. I’m on my way to pick up Samantha for the weekend, but I’ll see you Monday in the office.”
The relief was visible in the way her entire body relaxed. “Sounds good. Thanks.”
Cupping her chin, I gave her one last kiss, hoping it would be enough to last me until we could steal another moment away from the office.
Come Monday morning, I showed up to the office with a pep in my step, not remembering the last time I’d woken up in such a good mood.
No doubt it was the influence of Charlotte and feeling good about where we’d left things the other night.
We’d strike a balance. And we’d keep work in the office, and the personal, well, hopefully she’d be open to making time this weekend.
“Good morning,” I greeted, already smiling when I came into Charlotte’s office for our first meeting.
“Good morning,” she returned, her voice polite but cool. No hint of Friday lingered in her tone, and I pretended not to care. Here I’d thought I was decent at compartmentalizing my emotions when it came to separating work and personal, but Charlotte was a pro.
It didn’t help that she looked devastating with her hair twisted up in a sleek, no-nonsense way making me want to ruin it, a black power suit hugging every curve, and those heels in a deep merlot, the kind of color that did dangerous things to a man’s focus.
“I caught up with Sheila about John,” I started, taking a seat across from her. “You should know he called me over the weekend.”
Her shoulders went tight. “And what did you say to him?”
“That he should take the severance and consider himself lucky. The package was more than fair.” I paused, watching her reaction. “He indicated he’d sign by the end of the day.”
Relief flickered across her face, brief but unmistakable. “Good. It’ll be one less thing on our plates. I met with the owners on Thursday where I walked them through the London lease savings, but they still want to move ahead with the full five percent reduction.”
Had she really presented the idea the way I’d outlined it, or had she taken the safer route and not presented it at all? I knew Charlotte didn’t shy away from confrontation, but she was also vying for the CEO position, and may not have wanted to present her competition’s idea.
I hated the doubt.
“Did you press them on it?” I kept my voice level. “Let them know how we’re certain to lose more people if we cut deep because of mistrust in the company? That it’ll affect morale?”
Her eyes glued to mine, irritation flickering.
“I made the point, and they made theirs.” She turned toward her desk, gathering a few folders like she needed something to do with her hands.
“And they smiled, thanked me for the alternative option, and went right back to the decision they’d already made. ”
I opened my mouth, only to shut it again. But damn if the frustration didn’t simmer anyway, tightening my chest.
“We’ll move forward with the layoffs on Friday,” she continued. “I’ve already looped in HR and put security on notice to revoke access once the notices go out. It’s going to be a long week.”
Yes, it would.
“Are we heading to San Francisco next week for our top client? I’d like to bring Rhys in on this one.” I’d been reading up on Julian Harrington, the longtime owner of a top software firm and our biggest revenue-generating client.
She hesitated a moment before answering. “I’ll be leaving Thursday to meet with Julian. You and Rhys can hold down the fort here. I’ll be back on Friday morning, of course.”
The words hit me hard. I blinked once. Twice. “You’re going without us?”
She paused, pen stilling over her notepad. “This client’s…particular. He insisted on keeping it small. It’s just the way it is.”
My already simmering temper boiled over.
What was her game? And why was I letting it hit so personally?
Simple. Because I had very personal feelings for her.
And as much as I’d hoped to keep them checked at the office door, it was clear I wasn’t managing that feat.
I’d thought we were rolling the dice on the promotion, not making chess moves to outflank one another.
“So I’m expected to sit on the sidelines while you head into one of the biggest accounts we’ve got?”
Her tone sharpened though her face stayed maddeningly composed. “You’re supposed to trust me, Gabriel. I’ve been working with Julian for years, and when he’s down here in a few weeks to visit Arrow’s office, I’ll introduce you to him then.”
Trust her. The words landed like a challenge and a dare, and my jaw flexed against the impulse to argue. She wanted me to believe this was simply a business decision instead of her personal agenda to build her case for the CEO seat.
I forced a nod. She was shutting me out. Both professionally and personally. And whatever trust we’d been building had clearly only been in my imagination.
For the first time in a number of weeks, I had to ask myself what I would do if I wasn’t letting my personal feelings get in the way.