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Charlotte looked up and met my eyes.
“It did. Thank you again. We really would have had to cut corners without your pledge and…” she trailed off.
“I’m just happy I was in a position to help out this way.”
We danced in silence for a few moments. I had waited all evening for this moment and now that I had it, I struggled for words. Maybe it was because I was used to Charlotte, my roommate, on the couch or sitting at the island. This Charlotte, the rockstar of the evening, was… more. It took my breath away. Maybe I could find a way to merge the two.
“So, do you have to stay and do any cleanup?” I asked, finally breaking the silence.
“The caterers should handle most of it. The venue will hold anything that’s ours until Monday morning when a few of us can come over and grab it.”
“Well, Nationals Park is putting off fireworks tonight. One of their fireworks nights got rained out, and they rescheduled it for tonight to thank the fans for their support through the playoffs. Duncan’s rooftop would have a fantastic view. Maybe we could watch them together.”
Charlotte looked at my face, doing that searching-for-the-truth-of-me thing again.
“I do like fireworks. I’ll check in with Paula,” she answered as the song ended.
The band thanked everyone for spending their evening with the IBA and there was no reason for Charlotte to still be in my arms, but I couldn’t bring myself to let go of her. We stood looking into each other’s eyes?—
“Charlotte,” the woman who addressed the room after dinner appeared at our side, presumably making her Charlotte’s boss.
“Paula, hi!” Charlotte responded, her voice pitched higher than normal, immediately dropping my hand and removing the other from my shoulder, leaving a cold mark in its wake. “This is my roommate… well, Hayden’s brother owns the condo I’m staying at in Navy Yard and he’s staying there too?—”
“Hayden Brandt,” I interjected, holding my hand out for a handshake.
“Paula Lapman,” Charlotte’s boss answered, her eyes bouncing between Charlotte and me. “Thank you, and to your company, for the donation at the eleventh hour. You really saved the night.”
“Duncan, my brother, is the CEO and our stepmother is a big supporter of our hometown bookstore, so it was an easy decision. I’m just glad we learned of the opportunity when we did.”
Paula looked at me knowingly, not unlike the look Margaret would likely give me if she were here.
“Well, in any case, once again Charlotte, tonight was fantastic. You should head out now. You’ve already put in twelve hours today, I imagine?”
“Fourteen, actually.”
Paula shook her head, admonishing Charlotte gently.
“I’d tell you not to come in until noon on Monday if I had any hopes of that sticking, but at the very least, I insist you leave right now. I imagine Mr. Brandt can see you home safely?”
“Oh, I figured I’d grab a car ho?—”
“My car service is on call. He’ll be right around the corner. I’ll be sure she gets home in one piece. Do you have a coat to grab?”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes but seemed reluctant to argue with me in front of her boss.
“I do. I’ll go grab it and meet you by the elevator?”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”
Charlotte made her way toward the kitchen, Paula and I both watching after her as she walked away.
Paula looked at me knowingly. “She’s a good egg, Mr. Brandt. Be sure you treat her as such.”
“Yes ma’am,” I responded, reminded more and more of Margaret with each passing moment.
I looked around the room and saw Preston chatting with some of his colleagues. I walked up to him and clapped my hand on his shoulder.
“I imagine you all are heading to some Capitol Hill-friendly bar to continue debating the issues until the wee hours of the morning?”
