Guilty as Sin - chapter 25 (Patreon)

I don't normally discuss my personal life on here, but I did want to say thank you for going along with the unpredictable patreon schedule of this past summer.

Other than my own migraine issues (which have been a lot better, knock on wood) -

Neither of my parents are in great health, and because of some mobility issues, they needed to move this summer, relatively urgently. I (with Monica, who is amazing) have been facilitating just about everything for their move over the last several months, and we are now in the midst of handling a lot of plumbing/reno projects that need to be dealt with as they are cropping up.

It's been a whirlwind (negative lol) with a lot of unexpected hiccups, which has completely put me off of my normal writing/posting schedule.

Luckily, we're in the home stretch right now, and I couldn't be more ready to finally return back to normal in time for the fall and the holidays.

Now, back to Sutton and Charlotte!

Chapter Twenty-Five

Being in a relationship with Charlotte was unlike anything Sutton had known thus far in her romantic life.

Not that she’d expected anything different, but… she also hadn’t expected this. Like, in any way, shape, or form. Even after developing feelings for Charlotte. Even after knowing Charlotte was queer.

No part of Sutton believed that they’d be doing this.

This, currently meaning Charlotte’s lips pressed to hers in a needy, desperate kiss.

Unfortunately, it was a goodbye kiss. They were both showered and dressed for the day, they were standing in Charlotte’s foyer, and Charlotte quite literally had her small, designer travel bag at her feet.

“Mm, no,” Charlotte murmured as she broke away, ending the contact. “I really have to go this time, darling, or I’m going to be late.”

“Late for what?” Sutton asked, her lips tingling.

She wondered if that would ever stop. It had to, right? Logically, she knew it would have to stop at some point; this sensation didn’t continue throughout the entire length of a relationship… right?

Shaking her head slightly, she pressed, “All I’m saying is that you decide when your car is officially leaving. You could, possibly, push it back. Just for a little while.”

After all, Charlotte was driving to D.C…. rather, she was being driven. It was Sunday in the early afternoon, and she knew Charlotte had meetings tomorrow morning, but – still. It wasn’t as though she had a flight that she absolutely had to catch at a specific time.

Charlotte’s lips – a little damp and swollen from their repeated “goodbye” kisses – parted in surprise. “Sutton Spencer, you are surprisingly cheeky. Attempting to appeal to my desire for you in an effort to get me to stay longer. Underhanded. Sneaky. And here I thought you were the ultimate good girl.”

Sutton shivered, her breath catching in her throat. The hand she had on Charlotte’s hip unintentionally tightened, her grip digging tighter into Charlotte but – god.

The last time Charlotte had uttered something like that, Sutton had to let it go. She’d had to pry those words from her subconscious and let them float away.

“I am,” she insisted, but even she could hear her own voice – breathier, raspier than normal.

Which made sense, because she felt alive with arousal flooding her entire body. That was essentially how she’d become programmed to experience her weekends, now. For the month that she hadn’t been Charlotte’s assistant, she’d gone from seeing Charlotte daily, to needing to squeeze all of her time in on the weekends. Not only had she been able to see Charlotte daily before, but she used to be able to spend almost all of her waking hours with her.

She’d thought that being around Charlotte so much and being unable to touch her, to act on anything buzzing between them had been torture, but the real torture hadn’t started until she’d learned what it was like to be without Charlotte nearly every day of the week.

It wasn’t as though she’d have ever expected to spend multiple nights with Charlotte during the week. But even seeing her wasn’t an option, given that most weeks, Charlotte was in D.C. for at least three days.

A huge adjustment.

“I just… like to spend as much time with you as possible.” The words escaped Sutton, raw and honest, before she could think twice about them. “I–” She felt her cheeks burn, bright and hot, the embarrassment sweeping through her. “I don’t mean to be, um, needy. But I guess that’s what this sounds like.”

Because, she supposed, it was.

She felt needy for Charlotte. Not in a I can’t exist without you way, but in a I’m so into you, I want to be around you all of the time right now way. And she hadn’t felt that to this level of intensity, before, ever.

Even so, the idea of Charlotte thinking of her as “clingy” made her anxiety skyrocket. Only a minute ago, she hadn’t felt it at all, and now –

She took a step backward, deliberately breaking their physical connection. Drawing in a deep breath. “Sorry. I don’t – you should go. I mean, you’re right. You need to go.”

And Sutton was a fucking adult. Who wasn’t going to ruin the way Charlotte saw her.

But Charlotte’s eyes narrowed, and she didn’t move to pick up her bag. “All right, tell me what’s going on there.”

By there, she was talking about in Sutton’s mind. Sutton deduced that very cleverly, given that Charlotte lifted her hand and gestured at Sutton’s head.

She was this close to fibbing – because this sudden attack of her past insecurities felt… the opposite of attractive. But she didn’t want to lie to Charlotte, even about something like this. And if Charlotte was going to choose to be in a relationship with Sutton, she should probably know all of who Sutton was, right?

“I… when I’ve been with people in the past, there were times they felt I was too needy, but also not… enough?” It had felt like a complete mind-fuck, was what it was. When she wasn’t all about spending time with Joshua, for example, he’d be livid, and she would be on the receiving end.

Charlotte shook her head, stepping closer to once again close the distance between them. “Let me assure you, then: you haven’t ever been too ‘needy.’ If you don’t recall, I was the one who made us this late to getting up and dressed today in the first place.”

With that, she leaned up and pressed her lips to Sutton’s again, and the way her pulse had skipped with nerves quieted back to something normal again. She sighed into Charlotte’s mouth with it, reaching up to toy with the silky soft ends of Charlotte’s hair between her fingers.

“That’s a relief,” she breathed against Charlotte as their kiss gentled again, allowing for centimeters to come between them. “Because I know, um – hmm,” she sighed, melting into Charlotte’s kiss once more, her brain feeling all sorts of scrambled by the way Charlotte tugged Sutton’s bottom lip between her own.

When Charlotte released her, Sutton’s heart was tripping in her chest and her knees felt weak, and… she was definitely needy.

“Why is it a relief?” Charlotte prompted, her honey brown eyes gleaming up at Sutton in an obvious self-satisfaction that was damningly hot.

It took Sutton a few seconds to register what she meant by that, and when she did, she let out a sheepish laugh. “Ah… a relief because I know that prior to this, to us, you felt that a woman wanting to spend another night with you was too needy.”

Now, Sutton was spending Friday and Saturday nights with Charlotte for several weeks in a row.

“I guess that’s a score for how perspective changes things,” Charlotte’s voice was low, and started out sounding like she was light and teasing, but ended sounding contemplative.

Charlotte’s phone vibrated where she’d tossed it onto the table in hall next to them, the first time they’d started making out before making it to the door. They both glanced at it, and Charlotte reached to pick it up.

“My grandmother,” she informed Sutton. “Which is, actually, why I cannot change what time we’re leaving.”

“Oh. Yeah. Of course.” Sutton cringed at herself, stopping just short of hitting her hand to her forehead, but she felt like a total idiot.

She’d known that Charlotte was taking a car to D.C. instead of flying because her grandmother was also going to D.C. and had already arranged for her car. Charlotte had let her know that one of the only things her grandmother did inefficiently was to prefer taking a car rather than drive, when she could. All of that jet-setting over the years apparently was not her fondest memory.

“She’s downstairs,” Charlotte tacked on, needlessly.

Which did the trick to take the heated wind from Sutton’s sails. Absolutely zero part of her wanted to keep Elizabeth Thompson waiting.

She bent down and grabbed Charlotte’s bag, tossing the strap over her shoulder, then glanced in the mirror affixed to the opposite wall to check that her hair was decent. Charlotte seemed to enjoy running her fingers through it – during sex, yes, but also in general. Which Sutton loved, but made for a constant need to check that she was ready to re-enter the public.

When she looked back to Charlotte, ready to go, she was met with an amused stare. “Carrying my bag, are you?”

“Um… yes?” She hadn’t thought much about it, but… yes. She liked the idea of doing things like this for Charlotte. Relationship-type things.

She’d always enjoyed that facet of her job, the taking care of Charlotte aspects.

She kind of – deeply – missed it.

And she was still working through her feelings around Bianca, Charlotte’s new assistant who had started last week. Who would be going to D.C. with her for the first time this week. Not driving, of course, but… still.

There would be someone else spending so much time with Charlotte. And would she do as good of a job as Sutton had? Would she figure out that Charlotte didn’t eat breakfast before work, and that she’d almost never think to grab anything other than a coffee unless prompted?

Sutton was this close to reaching out to her and sending her a little guide, the Best Way to be Charlotte’s Assistant/How to Take Care of Charlotte but she figured that would be out of line. She worried, though. She worried about how much Charlotte pushed herself, with no one who really cared about Charlotte (the person) more than they cared about Charlotte (the politician).

“You know you no longer work for me,” Charlotte teased.

“Don’t I know it,” she grumbled, before she reminded Charlotte, “And I didn’t carry your bag for you even when I did work for you.”

She kept her arm protectively over said bag, now. If this was the only thing she could do to look out for Charlotte for now, so be it.

Charlotte’s phone pinged again. Even as Charlotte rolled her eyes and sighed, she acquiesced, “We should go.”

Sutton nodded. Their weekend of being wrapped up together was officially over. Her least favorite part of every week, now.

Just before she opened the door, Charlotte grabbed her wrist and smoothly spun Sutton around, planting another kiss on her. It didn’t last long, only a few seconds, but Sutton swore her own pupils had to be in the shape of hearts when she blinked her eyes open again.

Especially when Charlotte’s little smirk slid into place. “One for the road.”

Yes. Heart-shaped pupils without a single doubt.

They got on the elevator together, standing side-by-side. They’d never kissed or held hands publicly in the last month, but normally there was no one else on the elevator with them. Today, two other people were there. Looking at their phones, minding their own business.

But she missed the way Charlotte would sometimes link their pinkies together. Something she’d do when there was no one else around, because the movement couldn’t be seen from the camera in the corner.

“Congresswoman Thompson,” one of the men, the one standing closest to them, stated, as he put his phone in his pocket, doing a double-take. “Or should I say, the Honorable?”

Charlotte flashed him a winning smile. It wasn’t the one she used with Sutton, in their private moments. The one where the corners of her eyes crinkled, and her eyes glinted like she couldn’t believe Sutton just made her smile or laugh so hard.

But unless someone knew Charlotte well, they’d never know that. They’d see this smile and be charmed as hell. Sutton was sure of it, because she knew the difference, and she still found it incredibly charming.

“Either/or,” Charlotte responded.

The man tucked his phone into his pocket, obviously interested in continuing a conversation. “I watched the congressional meeting on C-SPAN last week, regarding digital infrastructure. You made several salient points.”

“It was quite the banger,” Charlotte commented. “And thank you. I’m certain it’s going to be a blast going back to discuss again this week.”

“I’ll actually be in D.C. this week, too. I’m Pierce Mercer.” He offered his hand, as they stopped on the third floor.

Sutton was fairly certain this was the longest elevator ride known to womankind.

Charlotte took his hand, giving it a short, firm shake. “Oh, CEO of ThreatLattice. Nice to meet you.”

Ah, the cyber security company that was going to be participating in a series of meetings Charlotte would be at this week; she’d told Sutton all about it over dinner last night.

The man’s – Pierce’s – grin brightened. “You do your research. Not that I’m surprised,” he immediately added. “I swear, you’re prepared and ready to wipe the floor with any point anyone brought up. If I didn’t know you were in politics, I’d have sworn you were in the cybersecurity industry.”

Sutton was positive that Pierce didn’t think the way he checked Charlotte out was obvious, and maybe it wasn’t. He wasn’t leering at her or anything, but there was no mistaking the way he was staring.

Sutton couldn’t have their pinkies interlocked but Pierce Mercer got to stare at Charlotte like that? And Sutton got it, she really did. Who wouldn’t stare at Charlotte like she was a waterfall in a desert?

Even dressed “casually” – Charlotte never dressed truly casually when she was leaving her home, though, in Sutton’s opinion – in her dark eggplant-colored slacks and long-sleeved, well-fitted cream-colored shirt, she looked polished and chic. The curves of her ass and waist were modestly on display, and her top perfectly sculpted over her chest without a hint of indecency.

Charlotte had so much beautiful, sexy lingerie she wore under these outfits. That was information for Sutton to know, and no one else. Certainly not Pierce Mercer.

The elevator finally opened to the lobby, and they all stepped out. Before they could put any distance between them, Pierce cleared his throat, “Is this your building, as well? I’ve never seen you. Or visiting a friend?” He glanced at Sutton.

“For personal security reasons, I’m going to decline commenting on my personal address,” Charlotte side-stepped.

He held his hands up, shaking his head. “Got it; wise of you. I shouldn’t have asked.” He looked down at his watch. “I realize you’re probably busy, but what are the chances of running into Charlotte Thompson, you know? If you have some time, I’d love to get you a coffee or a smoothie – whatever you drink, really – and get your thoughts on some of the big talking points this week?”

Charlotte shook her head. “I am busy, actually.”

Sutton loved that Charlotte didn’t provide any other explanation. Her tone was still friendly, but firm, offering no wiggle-room and no apology.

Pierce nodded. “I thought that would be the case, but would kick myself if I didn’t ask. I guess I’ll see you in D.C. this week?”

“I guess so,” Charlotte agreed, measuredly.

His eyes were bright and locked in. “Looking forward to it.”

Sutton worked very hard to contain an eye roll and a sigh of irritation. Of course he was looking forward to it. And now, he’d also be looking forward to potentially running into Charlotte in the building.

It was so rare for her to feel jealous, and she knew it was entirely irrational. Even if she and Charlotte weren’t together, Charlotte was a lesbian. She had no interest in him.

But… Pierce – and anyone else in his position – wouldn’t know that Charlotte was in a relationship. They wouldn’t know she was a lesbian. She was sure that Pierce – who was tall, fit, clean-cut, obviously successful – was going to believe with his whole heart that he had some sort of chance with Charlotte.

“Well, that’s going to be insufferable,” Charlotte whispered to her, dropping her hand lightly to Sutton’s back as they started across the lobby. Charlotte glanced at her profile as they walked. “Don’t worry, darling, I have no interest in the man.”

Sutton begrudged a smile, even as she felt herself blush at Charlotte’s playful, laughing tone. Unsurprisingly, Charlotte read her in a single glance.

“I’m sure he’s counting the minutes until his meeting in D.C. now,” Sutton commented, trying to work through the feelings inside of her that were so unfamiliar.

She’d never had to do something like that before. Pierce had asked Charlotte out – even if his verbiage didn’t reflect it, his intention was clear – right in front of her. And Sutton… was no one. She was Charlotte’s “friend” who may or may not live in this building.

Though she and Charlotte had been together now for a month, there was a difference between keeping their relationship private and someone asking Charlotte out right in front of her. Emotionally, it felt very different.

“Well, I’m counting down the minutes until I’m standing right back here,” Charlotte countered, as they emerged onto the sidewalk.

Some of the disquiet in Sutton settled, then. Not completely, but it – it was better. Because Charlotte was her girlfriend, whether or not Pierce knew it. While he might be eagerly awaiting the next time he could see Charlotte, Charlotte was eagerly awaiting the next time she could see Sutton.

And that felt good; good enough to wipe away some of the sourness in the back of her throat.

It was the least surprising thing in the world to see that Elizabeth had parking right at the curb, despite the fact that it was always busy here.

Sutton’s footsteps faltered slightly as she realized, “Am I going to be talking to your grandmother?”

The best part about Pierce Mercer was that he’d made it so Sutton hadn’t had any mental capacity to stress about running into Elizabeth Thompson today. Charlotte’s grandmother and idol, who made Sutton’s stomach tie up with dreadfully heavy anxious knots.

Charlotte looked between her and the car. “You are carrying my bag. So, unless you are going to toss it in and run away down the street…?” She trailed off, clearly amused.

Sutton frowned at her, taking a deep breath. She glanced around to make sure no one could hear before she whispered, “It’s not as though your grandmother is just anyone. And I haven’t spoken to her since – ah – you and I.”

And when she’d met Elizabeth while she’d been working for Charlotte, she hadn’t gotten the sense that Elizabeth thought very highly about her. She couldn’t imagine that the two of them being in a romantic relationship would endear her to Elizabeth.

Her mom’s concerns had to be shared by Elizabeth; had to. And – unlike Sutton’s mom – Elizabeth’s concern would be focused on any potential impact to Charlotte.

Which made the prospect of even saying a quick hello to her feel… daunting.

“You don’t have to say anything to her. If you want to give me the bag?” Charlotte held her hand out, ready to take her bag back.

But Sutton held tight, shaking her head.

“You faced my mom; I can have a thirty-second interaction with your grandmother.”

Whether other people knew it or not, they were together. And Sutton wasn’t going to hide from her girlfriend’s family, even if they were verifiably intimidating.

With that, she started forward to close the distance.

Before she opened the door, though, Charlotte cleared her throat, stopping her in her tracks. She handed Sutton a small slip of paper she tugged out from her pocket.

Taking it, Sutton ran her eyes over the neatly scrawled handwriting. A script she was familiar with, given her months of working for Charlotte; her handwriting was unmistakable to Sutton, now.

It was a schedule written out, day by day, from morning to night.

“This is when I’ll be available this week,” Charlotte said, softly. “Given our difficulty connecting at times, and this week is going to be insane for the both of us.”

She eyed the paper with a renewed interest. “Thank you?” She’d realized how her tone had sounded, and shook her head, her fingers tightening on the paper. “Not that I don’t actually thank you for letting me know, I just – texting and emailing also exist?”

Charlotte arched her eyebrows. “And you and I both know how certain SNAFUs happen in a digital age.”

Yes, they did know. Given Vanessa Logan and the house management company… Sutton supposed it made sense. Especially given Bianca.

Charlotte gestured to the paper. “This way, you have it with you, a hard-copy, and there is no possibility of anyone else being aware.” Charlotte took a long, deep breath, before saying, “I thought, starting next week, we could… make a different schedule, for the two of us. That we could share, with all of our weekly appointments and whatnot.”

A shared calendar?!

For someone like Charlotte, that was a big deal.

Hell, to Sutton that was a big deal. And it rang pleasantly through the part of her that loved to be organized.

Sutton didn’t even realize she was holding the paper Charlotte had given her up close to her chest. “That sounds perfect.”

Charlotte’s smile was uncharacteristically adorable – until the window rolled down next to them, and they heard Elizabeth clear her throat.

“I do apologize for the interruption, but I have been waiting for quite some time.”

“Sorry grandmother,” Charlotte responded, while still holding Sutton’s stare. She rolled her eyes, and – again – it was so damn cute.

Cute really wasn’t the first word anyone would think to associate with Charlotte, and normally it wasn’t Sutton’s first thought, either. But right now…

She smiled, indulgently. Indulging herself more than anything.

She was jarred out of it slightly, when she realized Elizabeth’s driver had taken the hint from her, and had gotten out. He patiently gestured to the bag she was holding, and she slid it from her shoulder to give it to him.

Gathering her courage, she ducked her head down to view Elizabeth as she opened the door for Charlotte. “Nice to see you again, ma’am,” she greeted.

Much like Charlotte, it was clear that Elizabeth Thompson never dressed casually. If Sutton and any member of her family would be going on an hours-long drive, they’d all be wearing comfortable clothing.

Elizabeth was wearing a suit, minus the jacket, which was neatly folded over the seat next to her. She had her laptop closed, neatly resting atop it, as though she’d been working on it before pulling up here to pick up Charlotte.

“Will you be joining us?” Elizabeth asked, rather than return any nicety.

Sutton blinked, her smile dimming slightly before she caught herself. “Um, I’m not going to… D.C.?”

Elizabeth, again, didn’t blink. “I didn’t ask if you were going to D.C.; I’m aware that you are not. I thought we’d be giving you a ride to wherever it is you are going.”

“Oh.” She looked at Charlotte, who slightly raised her eyebrows in question, checking in with her. It didn’t seem like Charlotte had any qualms about Sutton spending a few minutes with her grandmother, which was nice. Objectively. Still, “I’m actually only going a few blocks. I’m meeting my best friend to go on a walk.”

Regan was covering a night shift at Topped Off tonight, but she’d wanted to meet up with Sutton and exchange weekend updates.

“Then we’ll drop you off in a few blocks.” Elizabeth gestured for them both to get in, obviously impatient.

Charlotte moved to get in first, turning to look at her. “You can turn and walk away right now, and I’ll just say you had to go.”

Sutton steeled herself. “No, it’s fine. I’m not going to run away from your grandmother.”

Even if she was the most intimidating person Sutton had ever met.

“All right,” Charlotte said quietly, the ghost of a smile on her lips. “Then, let’s go. Best not to keep her waiting more.”

Charlotte slid in first, and Sutton took in a long, settling breath, before she followed suit. She could do this. As she slid in, she heard Charlotte instruct the driver where Sutton would be exiting, and Elizabeth then swiftly rolled up the divider.

“I’d hate to miss the opportunity to have a conversation with you, Ms. Spencer. Especially given that your mother was able to have a conversation with Charlotte so early on.”

Sutton froze.

Charlotte muttered, “Grandmother.”

Elizabeth picked a piece of invisible lint from her shirt. “I’m merely stating a fact. Now – Sutton, I heard you’ll be starting your new employment this week?”

Surprise filtered through her. The fact that Elizabeth Thompson kept tabs on her was… strange. It made sense, obviously, but somewhere along the line in the last few months, Charlotte had stopped being Elizabeth Thompson’s granddaughter, and was just… Charlotte, who happened to be close to her grandmother.

“Um, yes. I’ll be starting tomorrow morning.”

She’d gone through several interviews in the last two weeks, and the process had been very streamlined, thankfully. She’d never thought a dating app would be where she’d end up, but if she couldn’t work for Charlotte now, this seemed like an exciting prospect.

“And… what, exactly, was the thought process behind taking a job at a queer dating app, on the heels of starting a closeted relationship?” Elizabeth started, leaning forward slightly, locking her gaze onto Sutton’s.

Sutton’s mouth fell open at the piercing stare aimed her way, her stomach twisting. “I – what?”

Smart. Brilliant.

Idiot.

“You started a relationship with Charlotte, then immediately begin a job at SapphicSpark. I think that’s certainly worth a conversation,” Elizabeth pressed.

Sutton could feel how tense Charlotte became sitting between them. “Grandmother,” she cut in, her voice sharp. “That’s–”

“Something that you clearly haven’t brought up,” Elizabeth stated, turning her attention to Charlotte.

“Because it’s not my business,” Charlotte shot back, her voice heated.

Sutton didn’t think Charlotte often took that kind of tone with her grandmother.

“It’s not your business?” Elizabeth parroted, incredulously.

“No. Sutton is allowed to work wherever she wants to work,” Charlotte’s voice was tight. “And it’s definitely not your place to jump down her throat about it.”

Sutton’s stomach was cramping now, and she stared intently at Charlotte’s gorgeous profile. And she felt, acutely, like an idiot. Because the reality was that she hadn’t thought about that – at all. She hadn’t thought at all about the fact that she was working for a queer dating app on the heels of leaving Charlotte’s employ.

Was it something that had bothered Charlotte? Something she’d thought about or wished Sutton wouldn’t do? She hadn’t mentioned anything to that point.

But… maybe she did have some thoughts or feelings about it. Logically, it made sense.

Elizabeth scoffed. “I’d hardly say I’m jumping down her throat. This isn’t an attack; I genuinely would like to hear Sutton’s thoughts on the matter. Sutton?” She asked, pointedly, to regain Sutton’s attention.

Not that she’d lost it at any point.

“To be honest,” she started, twisting her hands together in her lap. “I hadn’t thought about it from that lens. But–” She cut off, darting her eyes to Charlotte. “It seemed to make the most sense to me. For me. It’s something I’m actually excited about doing, and the opportunity worked out with great, um, timing.”

Which was the truth. She was excited about the opportunity, and the timing couldn’t have been better.

She just… hated feeling stupid, not having considered this from all sides.

“First of all, to your literal point, no one knows Sutton and I are romantically involved,” Charlotte stated, eyes blazing and the tension rolling off of her in waves. She reached over and put her hand over Sutton’s, stroking her thumb over Sutton’s knuckles.

It was the first time they’d had touched like this in front of someone in Charlotte’s family, let alone her grandmother.

“Secondly, working for a SapphicSpark doesn’t mean you’re inherently queer.”

“By that logic, anyone working at a dating app wouldn’t be in a relationship at all,” Sutton couldn’t help but say.

Charlotte squeezed her hand, breathing out a laugh.

Sutton had sassed back to Elizabeth Thompson, though, and that made her freeze.

But Elizabeth let out a loud scoff, much to her shock. “That is a fine point.”

It was? It was.

“As I said, I merely thought it would be worth a conversation.” Elizabeth shrugged.

And for a few moments, Sutton could only stare at her. Because it did seem like Elizabeth thought it was “just worth a conversation” and that she wasn’t necessarily judging her. Like she wanted to understand Sutton’s reasoning from every angle.

Then again, that seemed logical. Elizabeth was very shrewd, and likely did want to see and hear everything from different angles.

Sutton did want to know that Charlotte thought. She wanted to know if she’d discussed this with Elizabeth but hadn’t mentioned it to Sutton, because – as Charlotte had said – Sutton was allowed to work wherever she wanted to work, where it made sense for her to work.

And this was by far the best option she’d come across.

It felt like both far too soon and not soon enough that the car pulled over again. She looked out the tinted window, and realized that somehow, Elizabeth’s driver had pulled up unknowingly in front of Regan. Who was standing there, holding a smoothie in each hand, waiting for Sutton.

Unaware that she was, technically, right in front of her.

“Thank you for the ride.” It had certainly given her something to think about. “Have a safe drive.”

“I hope your new job goes well,” Elizabeth smoothly replied.

Sutton hesitated, turning to Charlotte. Searching her gaze, wanting to see if she really didn’t have any bad feelings about her working at SapphicSpark. She didn’t see anything reflected back at her, but… she supposed that was a conversation for later.

“I know your week starting at SapphicSpark is going to go well,” Charlotte doubled-down, iron in her voice, and a softness in her eyes.

Sutton smiled softly at her, and she wondered if –

Charlotte hesitated for half a second, before she leaned in. Sutton felt Charlotte’s hand on her jaw, holding her in place, before Charlotte’s lips pressed to hers. Soft, but firm.

Making a statement.

“Young love,” Elizabeth murmured, registering somewhere in the back of Sutton’s mind.

Young love, indeed.

They broke their kiss, and Sutton’s heart fluttered like wild, especially at the flush on Charlotte’s cheeks. Even though they’d only kissed for a few seconds, she felt breathless.

“Look at the schedule,” Charlotte winked at her. “We’ll talk soon.”

“Talk soon,” she echoed.

Yes, her heart eyes were definitely there. She was sure Elizabeth could see them from a mile away.

She fumbled slightly for the door handle, shaking her head to get it on right as she stepped out. Immediately, she was face-to-face with Regan.

Who’d clearly been looking around for her, only for her eyebrows to raise high on her forehead when she landed her gaze on Sutton. Then she took in the car she was climbing out of.

Then she ducked her head, only for her mouth to fall completely open.

Oh, boy.

Sutton started getting out a little faster.

“Elizabeth Thompson?!” Regan’s voice was so loud, it was nearly a shout. And it certainly drew attention.

“Regan,” she hissed, quickly getting out of the car.

Regan waved. “Hey! Madam President, it’s an honor to lay eyes on you!”

“Bye,” Sutton said quietly, but swiftly, to Charlotte, who was shaking her head.

She shut the door, and in seconds, the Thompson women were off again.

Sutton turned to look at her best friend. “Are you kidding?”

“Are you?” Regan shot back, handing her one of the smoothies in her hands. “Tell me everything.”

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