Absolutely. Let me know when you’re free
Thursday
Missed call from Charlotte 6:31 p.m.
Sutton—6:34 p.m.
Sorry I missed your call! Lucy’s not feeling too well, and she got sent home from school today. I’m just getting her settled, and I’ll give you a call back as soon as I can?
Charlotte—6:37 p.m.
Oh no! Nothing too bad, I hope? Don’t worry about the call. We can just talk at the next meeting this weekend
After all, Charlottehadsomewhat exaggerated about the details she’d wanted to give Sutton. Oh, she had some comments, but it had never been anything urgent. She’d just wanted something, some reason to reach out.
Sutton—7:12 p.m.
Charlotte! You shouldn’t have sent this! This gift basket is insane, she only has the sniffles. But… thank you. So, so much. Really. Lucy’s already going crazy over the cookies in here.
Charlotte—7:13 p.m.
It was no problem, I hope it makes her feel a little better
Sutton—8:59 p.m.
Thanks again. For the care package. It was wonderful.
Sutton—9:04 p.m.
I
Shit! I didn’t mean to send that.
Charlotte—9:05 p.m.
No? I could have sworn I saw three dots there for a while after the first message?
Fine, so she couldn’t resist sending that. But it wastrue. And she’d wanted so badly to know what Sutton was about to say.
She was destined not to know, however, because Sutton hadn’t responded.
Charlotte—9:06 p.m.
Good night, Sutton
Yup. Totally and completely chill.
“Tomorrow night you have a dinner with Lily and the rest of the Thompson Foundation board after your meeting with Ms. Spencer, and then Sunday afternoon you’re flying back to New York. Maya should have already sent the itinerary to you. I’ll check you in tomorrow night.” Autumn reviewed her schedule as she sat opposite Charlotte’s desk. “Maya and I will meet you in the office Monday morning.”
“Mm-hmm,” Charlotte hummed. She’d reviewed this earlier herself, but she did appreciate the final weekend review before Autumn left on Friday evening.
Her head simply wasn’t in it today, especially given that Sutton hadn’t confirmed their meeting for tomorrow. She hadn’t typically confirmed their meeting in the last couple of weeks, since they’d established this rhythm, but given that kiss and their subsequent communications, Charlotte had sent a little message to Sutton a couple of hours ago to check.
And had received nothing in response.
Even though she was now staring mostly out the window, she could see the questioning look on Autumn’s face in her reflection.
“Senator… Charlotte.” She coughed, straightening her back. “If I may ask, is everything all right?”