That day, Charlotte got <b>a </b>call from herw firm’s managing partner, Tim Long.
“Charlotte,” Tim said cheerfully, “I heard you y golf?”
Charlotte paused, trying to remember who might have said that. Then it hit her that it was on the onboarding for she had filled out herself. Under hobbies and Interests, she had written golf.
“Yes<b>, </b>I do,” she replied. “Why?”
Tim chuckled. “We’ve got a big client–Mr. Lloyd from TH Corporation. He’s <b>a </b>golf enthusiast. I’ve scheduled a game with him on the eighteenth at Royal Golf Club in South City, I want you toe with me.”
Charlotte figured that <b>as </b>long as she was going with her boss, nothing too unexpected would happen. She agreed. “Sure thing, Mr. Long.”
“Mr. Lloyd has a few cases he’s looking to sign out, and if wend the <b>deal</b>, you’ll get a <b>20</b>%mission Charlotte, I know your family’s well–off and you probably don’t care about the money, but aswyers, we need experience–especially in negotiation. You can’t practice that just sitting behind a desk”
It was no secret at the firm that Charlotte came from the wealthy Riley family. Tim had obviously heard the rumors too.
“I understand, Mr. Long.”
“Great, Get ready. I’ll have my assistant book your flight”
<b>“</b>Thank <b>you</b><b>” </b>
After hanging up, Charlotte nced at the calendar on her desk
January <b>13</b><b>. </b>
Thirteen days bad passed since New <b>Year’s </b>Eve.
<b>She </b>hadn’t seen Sean since then–not even once.
She had buried herself in work ever since, trying <b>to </b>stay as busy as possible. Because the moment she slowed down, the memories would hit her. And missing him hurt too much
Everywhere she turned, entertainment news was filled with Sean and <b>Lucinda’s </b>rumored rtionship.
darlotte hadn’t gone out <b>of </b>her way to follow the gossip, but it was hard to avoid. Colleagues in the office were always chatting about them in passing. “Did you guys see the Lending tople? Lucinda Lambert <b>and </b>the paper heir went on vacation together. They look <b>so </b>good together–total eye candy!” “My queen Lucinda? <b>Of </b>course she’s stunning! She’s the top <b>female </b>star in the whole industry! No one else could possibly match Sean Jasper like she does.<b>” </b>“Hey, Lon’t Charlotte from the Riley family? Theard she almost gut engaged to him once
“Yeah, that’s true! They used to date. I even saw him picking her up outside the firm once. He’s even better looking in person!”
“What? Seriously? Charlotte and Sean Jasper were <b>a </b><b>thing</b>?”
“shhli–kep your voice down! Don’t let her hear you……..”
Charlotte stood frozen in the doorway of the break room<b>, </b><b>a </b>cup in <b>her </b>hand. She had heard every word, but said nothing with a quiet sigh, she tumed and walked
Sometimes, whe
walked past a nt LED <b>billboard </b>in the city and saw Lucinda’s tare smiling down at her, Charlotte couldn’t help but stop So this is the kind of woman be likes,” she thought. “The kind of beauty that’s bold and unapologetic. A woman who smiles with effortless charm, full of confidence and flirtation Sirking, seductive and Impossible to ignore.”
pand state.
Soon, it was time <b>for </b>the business trip
Charlotte Boarded a light to South City with Tim.
As they passed through first ss, she <b>caught </b><b>a </b>sudden glimpse of the <b>face </b>she had been trying so hard <b>to </b>forget.
Hir feet came to a halt. The mask she wore cracked ever so slightly,
Sean was seated in a ck coat, elegant andposed<b>, </b>his eyes tiard on theptop in front of him.
de him, Lucinda was all sales, bright and radiant.
Sending someone’s gaze<b>, </b>Sean looked up from his screen and locked eyes with Charlotte.
Mia bit her lip. “But I… I’m not ready.”
“Baby, do you like me? I <b>mean</b><b>, </b>like me as a man–not a brother.”
“No!” she denied it instantly.
Ian chuckled, leaned in, and kissed her again.
“That’s okay. We’ve got time for that to grow.”
He put deliberate emphasis on the words “<b>time </b>for that to <b>grow</b>.<b>” </b>
Mia’s face turned bright red, all the way to her ears.
And once <b>again</b>, they gave in to indulgence.
A few days passed as winter snow continued to nket Jersey City.
Before they knew it, it was already mid–January.