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“Yeah, well, it’s strange to be called Charlie again. It’s been so long. But I did always like Charlie.”
“You are a complex woman. I don’t remember you being so high maintenance. I thought that was me.”
“That is you, and you can call me whatever you want. I’ll answer.”
“Sounds fair.”
“But I still really want to do this job for you. I don’t want you to lose everything you’ve worked so hard for if I have a chance to help. I’m just worried we’re asking too much of Will. Are we pushing him too hard on this?”
“Will is certainly not a man to be pushed, but I don’t think it’s asking too much. You’remysister. If anyone should be concerned about your involvement, it’s me. To him, you’re a part of the job.”
That stung. But Maddy was right. “Then I’ll need your help, because right now, he’s convinced we shouldn’t go ahead.”
“He’s probably overthinking it and needs a good reason to continue.”
“I don’t know. He was hesitant at the start, but I thought he’d get more comfortable with it as I got better. He even told me he was impressed with how well I was doing. But all my skill has done is fill him with more doubt.”
“Hand me my phone.” When Charlotte held it out, Maddy pressed her thumb onto it to unlock it, but didn’t take it. “Send this text, will ya?”
“Okay.”
“Come quick. It’s an emergency.”
“You sure?”
“It will get him here faster. Otherwise, he’ll put it off until it’s convenient. Or avoid me altogether if he thinks it’s related to you.”
Charlotte sent the message. “He’s not going to like it.”
“He’ll live. Besides, this is an emergency.”
“You think you can change his mind?”
“I know I can.”
“Why am I suddenly worried?”
Maddy’s smile was devious. “Don’t worry. I’ll let him keep a couple of fingers.”
* * *
Charlotte and Maddy spent the next hour reminiscing until Will careened into the room, out of breath. He looked between the two women, confused. “What is it?”
Then his expression changed. It hadn’t taken him long to recognize the deception. Charlotte hadn’t known Will long, but she knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t be happy about it. That suited her just fine. She didn’t like being deceived either.
“I didn’t mean to upset you,” Maddy said, pushing up into a higher sitting position with a grimace.
“Didn’t you? There’s no emergency, I take it?”
“Not an urgent one, but I’d still call it an emergency.”
He looked at Charlotte and frowned. “Which is?”
“Charlie explained to me you weren’t confident she could do the job.”
A muscle flexed in his cheek as he stared down Charlotte until she looked into her lap. “It has nothing to do with her ability,” he finally said.
“Then what’s the problem?”
