She filed away how much he’d given her to think about but needed a break. “So tell me about Chelsea. How is she settling in. What keeps you so busy that you’re running so early?”
“She’s good. She’s sweet, and she’s been treated so poorly by the people in her life, but we’re allowing her time to settle in and giving her the space she needs to learn to trust us. We hope anyway.”
“I’m sorry she had such a hard time before, but I’m glad shehas you to help her feel safe. I look forward to meeting her.”
“Would you be okay if we came for a visit in a few weeks? We haven’t seen you in years, and I miss you. And I think the more queer people she meets living normal lives, the better she’ll feel.”
“You’re all welcome any time.”
“Hmm.”
His sound made her pause. Had she made him think he wasn’t wanted? She’d certainly had a hard time seeing him right after Kelly died and had found herself avoiding him, but in the intervening years, her feelings had changed. Yet, now that she thought about it, she also hadn’t made any effort to go see him or Sheila. She’d been living on a figurative and literal island.
In that moment, she realized the hypocrisy with which she’d been viewing Charlie’s actions. Harper herself had also run and walled herself off when things were too hard.
Shit.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Charlie checked her watch as she stood in front of the restaurant where she was meeting Sydney and her wife. She felt like she had no life since all she did was consult with the SEC, and as such was early, as she was for everything there. Her time with the SEC was dragging on longer than she or her legal team had believed it would, and it felt like she’d been there for five months rather than five weeks. She kept thinking she was close to being done, and every time, they’d drop another pile of financial documents on her temporary desk for her to review. Or they’d want her to write another declaration on what she’d found or more info they’d uncovered.
Thanksgiving had come and gone, and when she’d asked to take a few days off to fly to Gainesville to spend Thanksgiving with her parents, their response had been to fly her parents up, put them up in her hotel, and not give her any days off.
She knew she could’ve put her foot down, but she really wanted to get all this shit behind her, probably more than the SEC did, so she kept giving them what they requested.
At least DC was pretty during the holidays. She took her parents to see the National Christmas Tree on the Mall, the ZooLights, and the US Capitol Christmas Tree. She enjoyed spending time with her parents, reconnecting.
Yet, everything felt a little hollow without Harper. Since Harper had admitted she missed Charlie, they’d texted a little more frequently. Okay, daily. She smiled as her phone buzzed. It was an adorable picture of Franky lying on her back on the floorand making a silly face.
Charlie:I can’t wait to kiss that perfect face.
Harper:Any ideas when that’s going to be possible?
Charlie:Soon I hope. She finished that text with a crossed fingers emoji, and Harper hearted it. It was true. She was pretty sure she’d be wrapping things up with the SEC soon. She’d been there for what felt like forever. But they were making progress. She was helping the SEC make a solid case against D. B. Graves, so it would be worth it in the end.
“Hey, Charlie.” She turned and saw Sydney approaching while holding the hand of a very attractive woman with long brown hair and a lean build who moved with the grace of an athlete.
The SEC had kept her there for so long that Sydney and her wife had just moved back to DC, and they’d decided to get together for dinner before Charlie returned to Key West. “Great to see you, Sydney,” Charlie said as she hugged her.
“Charlie, this is my wife, Reagan.”
They shook hands. Reagan’s appearance didn’t match what Charlie’s expectation of what an Army officer would look like, but her firm grip and calloused hands did. “Great to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Sydney.”
“Likewise.” Her smile was bright, and Charlie liked her instantly.
“Shall we head in?” Sydney asked. “I’ve heard great things.” She pointed to the Mediterranean restaurant behind her. Charlie was excited for Mediterranean as she hadn’t found a go-to spot in the Keys yet.
“So it sounds like maybe another week, and you’ll be heading home, Charlie. Are you ready?” Sydney said.
“That soon?” The SEC hadn’t given her any timelines directly.
“Yeah, I was speaking to the investigator today, and he saidhe was pretty sure you’ll be gone by next week, as long as you agree to be available for further discussions as needed. I think they want to wrap up as much of your portion as they can before Christmas.”
The thought of getting back to Harper before Christmas made her smile. “That would be fantastic.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen you smile like that since we met. Do you have someone waiting for you back in Key West?” Sydney said.
“I have a bit of a situation back there, yes, but it’s messy. Which is why I want to get back. Things weren’t in the best shape when I left.” She winced.
