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“Try me,” I said, grabbing her hand away from her purse strap and interlacing her fingers with mine.
Charlotte smiled down at our joined hands.
“I’m just nervous. I want Preston to like me. I know how important your brothers are to you.”
“Nah, just Hunter, and he likes everyone. I don’t care what Preston thinks.”
“Hayden…”
“I promise he’s going to like you, because he knows I like you. And besides, what’s not to like? Beautiful, smart, funny. Really. I would be worried about him trying to steal you away if he wasn’t a complete and total workaholic. Plus, that whole bro-code thing.”
Charlotte laughed, her shoulders lowering from her ears slightly. I consider my mission accomplished, just in time for us to reach the restaurant.
“So, you like me, huh?” Charlotte said, her eyes twinkling as she walked in front of me while I held the door.
I crowded behind her in the vestibule while she waited for the people exiting the restaurant to pass, leaning close to her ear.
“I hope the orgasm I gave you on the kitchen island before we left would confirm that, but if it wasn’t enough, I’m happy to show you again tonight… twice.”
Charlotte’s breath hitched, turning her head to look at me, her cheeks an appealing pink, which I was learning was a mixture of desire and embarrassment of hearing me talk like this in public.
My mouth moved toward hers when movement through the glass door in front of us caught my eye, and I saw Preston standing, watching us. His arms folded, his head shaking, but with a smile on his face, in good humor.
“Later,” I said, stepping back so I could move around Charlotte and grab the interior door for her. “Our dinner date is waiting.” I nodded toward Preston so she would spot him, too.
Charlotte’s cheeks darkened even more as she moved through the door toward my brother.
“Charlotte, I presume,” Preston greeted her, holding out his hand.
Charlotte reached out. “It’s nice to meet you, Preston. I’m sorry your brother has no manners and didn’t manage to introduce us at the gala last Friday.”
Preston barked out a laugh, and I felt my grin widen. That’s my girl.
“Well, ya know, we did the best we could with him, but some street dogs just can’t be taught manners.”
“Funny,” Charlotte pursed her lips. “Hayden told me a story about you insulting a foreign dignitary from the Philippines by beckoning one of their staff to come talk to you by curling your finger? Doesn’t sound like good manners to me.”
It was my time to laugh loudly. Preston lifted his hands to give Charlotte a light applause for a well-landed barb.
“Let’s get some food and drinks before we go any more rounds. I can tell I’m going to need my wits about me. Shall we?” Preston extended his arm, and Charlotte laced hers through his elbow without hesitation, throwing a smile at me over her shoulder as they made their way to the hostess stand to be seated.
Dinner passed without much incident. Charlotte asked Preston a lot of questions about his work for the senator, showing real interest in his answers. They discovered a shared love of audiobooks and discussed some of their favorite narrators.
The waiter came by to collect our empty baskets, leaving us with a dessert menu and the rest of our drinks.
“So,” Preston started. “How exactly did this happen? Hayden was very insistent on using words like friendship and roommate on Friday night, but that is clearly no longer your vibe.”
Charlotte looked at me. “I’m not really sure how to explain it…”
“Well, my leg hair growing back certainly did help,” I said, winking at Charlotte.
“We’ve been over this. You came into my room first. You asked for it.”
“Only because you triple-pranked me before 8:00 a.m.”
“The kitchen faucet sprayer is a classic, Charlotte. I’m saving that one for Christmas morning. At least three brothers usually have a hangover after too much eggnog and whisky the night before. It’ll be perfect,” Preston said.
“Oh, you tattled on me to your brother, huh?” Charlotte said, crossing her arms and turning her body toward me.
