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“It makes sense video wills aren’t valid,” Max says. “There’d be too many issues with deepfakes and manipulation. Also, questions about timing of the video in relation to any written wills. I’m sure Charlotte knows the video will isn’t enforceable, either, assuming she’s got access to the internet.”
That last part was Max’s way of chastising me again for calling him before running a simple internet search. “To summarize,” I say, “any way we slice it, Charlotte is under zerolegal obligation to give me Lloyd’s condo, and it’s unfathomable to think she didn’t realize that.”
“Correct. And the transfer of deed didn’t do a damned thing. You should probably call her right away to let her know she’s still the owner of the property, so she knows she’s still on the hook for property taxes.” I can practically hear Max’s wicked smirk across the phone line. “And while you’ve got her on the phone, maybe you should also tell her anythingelseyou might be thinking about.Obsessively. You know, anything you might be wishing you’d said to her, in person, when you had the chance.”
I feel like I’ve been struck by lightning.
I have to go to her.
Right now.
And tell her I love her.
A phone call won’t do!
I have to look Charlotte McDougal in the eyes, hold her hands in mine, and tell her “I love you, Charlotte, and I’ll do whatever it takes to be with you, if only you love me, too.” Even if Charlotte breaks my heart and tells me she doesn’t feel the same way, at least I’ll know the truth and won’t have to spend the rest of my life wondering.
“Are you still there?” Max says. “I’m in the middle of something here, Auggie.”
“Oh, yeah. Sorry. I’ll let you go. I’ve got a plane to catch.”
“A plane?”
“To Dallas. Or New York? Shit. I’m not sure if she’s left Dallas yet. Either way, I’m going to fly to her and tell her I love her in person.”
“Atta boy. Keep me posted.”
“Thanks a million, Maximillian. You’re the best big brother, ever.”
“And you’re a dumbass, Augustus.”
We both laugh. In this instance, he’s not wrong.
“Good luck, Auggie. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I hang up and press the button to call Tessa. Charlotte said she’d be training in Dallas for a week, and it’s been about that long now. Is she spending one more night in Dallas or has she already arrived in New York, her new hometown?
“Lucky’s doinggreat,” Tessa says in greeting. Thank God, we swapped numbers when we traded photos yesterday, or else I’d be having even more of a coronary right now.
“Glad to hear it. Listen, do you know if Charlotte will be in Dallas or New York tonight? I want to surprise her by flying to her, but I don’t know where to go.”
Tessa squeals and shrieks, “Please, tell me you’refinallygoing to get your girl!”
My heart leaps. “You think she’ll be receptive?”
“Oh, god, Auggie. Charlotte made me promise not to tell you this, but I don’t care anymore. She’s been miserable this whole week without you. She misses yousomuchand totally regrets taking the job.”
“She does?”
“When we talk at night, she’s always stuffing down tears. She keeps saying the job isn’t what she thought it’d be. That life isn’t fun anymore, if she’s not with you. And I keep saying, ‘Okay, well, call him and tell him that.’ But she won’t say it first. She said she’s already told you, well enough, in her own way, and now the ball is in your court. Does that make any sense to you?”
“It sure does.” I clutch my heart. “I love her, Tessa. She’sthe one. My reason to breathe. My future wife.”
Tessa squeals again. “Please, please tell her all that.”
“I will. Assuming I fly to the correct city. Is she in Dallas or New York?”
