Page 75 of Miss Manage

The woman who had me tied in knots was here, standing in my family home. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d wanted something or someone this badly.

“Are you planning to greet her?” Dominic asked.

“Yeah. Fuck, I’m nervous.” I hadn’t meant to announce the last part out loud, but judging by the gobsmacked expressions, all four of them had heard me.

My steps ate up the distance between us.

“Hi, Charlotte. Austin.” My voice came out steadier than I felt, which was a small miracle considering the way my throat closed when they turned toward me.

Charlotte’s eyes found mine, and for a beat, the world quieted. Her hazel gaze locked on to me, but instead of the coolness I’d experienced in the office, there was a warmth and, if I wasn’t mistaken, a vulnerability.

Thankfully, my mother swooped in before I made things awkward. “Austin was telling us how he loves Italian food, and we were telling him how he’d come to the right place—” she began. Her eyes suddenly went wide as Samantha ran up and wrapped her arms around Charlotte.

“Hi, I’m so glad you made it.”

Charlotte returned her hug. “Hi, yes, me, too. How are you?”

“Really good, but counting the days of school until it’s holiday break.”

Austin chimed in. “Same.”

Samantha turned toward him. “Come on. Grab your plate, and I’ll show you where the desserts are. There’s the best tiramisu.”

“Sounds good.” And with a polite “nice to meet you” toward my mother, Austin was following Samantha straight to the dessert table.

“Your son is lovely, Charlotte, and I see you’ve already met Samantha?” My mom flashed me a knowing look.

“Yes, she’s wonderful. You have a lovely home, Mrs. Chambers.”

“Thank you, and please call me Anna.” She turned when my father came walking down the steps. “Gerard, come meet Gabriel’s friend, Charlotte.”

My father was less skilled in the art of disguising his surprise. “Oh. Hello, Charlotte. Welcome to our home.”

“Thank you for having us. Happy anniversary to the both of you.”

My father’s head tilted. “Thank you. Please excuse the bluntness, but do I know you from somewhere?”