Guilty as Sin ch. 3

Merry Christmas Eve, Happy Hanukkah Eve, Happy Kwanzaa Eve Eve to all who celebrate, and happy Guilty as Sin day to everyone!

I'll be back with more before the true end of the year, but... from the bottom of my heart, I hope everyone has an amazing week filled with whatever makes you feel warm and cheerful this time of year. Thank you for joining me here.

Without further adieu, here is the final showing of Sutton and Charlotte from 2024!

------------ Guilty as Sin -------------

Chapter Three

Sutton really couldn’t believe it.

Her time in school was… over. Officially, actually over.

For now, at the very least. She had a sneaking suspicion it might not be forever. But this really was it. In her cap and gown, she navigated through the masses of people as the convocation ceremony at Yankee Stadium officially ended.

She’d gotten a text from Regan telling her where she was, near one of the exits. The seating area for friends was a lot easier to get to from the student exit than where her family was sitting, so she planned to nab Regan, and then go find her parents, Oliver, and Alex, who’d ended up with the four family tickets she was granted.

Only she couldn’t actually find Regan in the sea of purple gowns, despite double-checking that she was in exactly the right spot her friend had told her she’d be.

She rocked up onto her tiptoes, searching…

Oh, there was Emma just a few feet away! Sutton moved to make eye contact – they hadn’t been seated anywhere near one another during the ceremony given their last names – only to halt in her tracks.

Because right in front of Emma – almost out of Sutton’s view – was Regan.

Oh, god.

Immediately suspicious and a little concerned – though, she admittedly didn’t know who she was more concerned for? Emma, because Regan had definitely initiated whatever this moment was and she was certain Emma wasn’t enjoying it, or Regan, because she knew Regan was likely trying to be positive and congratulatory, and she had a hunch Emma likely would be snarky in return – she hurried to approach them.

“Hey!” She made her presence known as soon as possible, slipping through the people that separated them, cautiously fixing on her soothing smile, the one she likened to keeping the peace between warring children on a playground. “What’s going on over here?”

She glanced between the two of them, wondering what kind of negative vibe she was going to have to soothe over…

Only to pause when everything seemed to be – fine? Was everything fine right now between Regan and Emma? Maybe they’d only been in conversation for such a short time that they hadn’t had time to get into any disagreements?

But Regan’s bright smile seemed to be a little too bright for that, along with a glint in her eye that Sutton knew meant her best friend was thrilled about something.

It was never a good sign, if Emma was standing next to her while Regan wore that look.

“Ahhhh, you look so official!” Regan surged forward and pulled her into a hug instead of answering her question, wrapping her arms tightly around Sutton and bouncing into the embrace from her excitement. “I’m so proud of you, graduate!”

Sutton, though still suspicious, melted into the hug for a few moments, closing her eyes as she hugged Regan back.

Truthfully, this was the calmest she’d felt all day. Actually, the calmest she’d felt in literal days. Wrapped up in a hug from Regan, who was never anything but proud of her.

Mostly because during the ceremony, all she’d been able to focus on was the nervous knots in her stomach. This was it; college was over. Sutton needed to know – imminently – what came next, and she was still drawing a blank.

It was at the point that she’d hardly been able to enjoy her family’s presence in the city for the last couple of days, because she knew they were also waiting to see what came next. Waiting for her report on her next step. And she – for the first time – was coming up empty.

With that thought, she squeezed Regan a little tighter for a long moment. “Thank you.”

Regan pulled back, holding Sutton’s elbows. “But of course. I’m so loving this cap and gown on you, too. Do you get to keep it?”

Laughing incredulously, Sutton nodded. “Yes. But I can’t imagine where I’d wear it to.”

“Just around the house! Seems flowy, light, comfy,” Regan shot back, sliding her hands down to toy with the, indeed, light fabric.

Emma scoffed. “Somehow, that’s exactly what I imagine you doing if you had a graduation gown.”

Regan turned to face her again. “Obviously, I would. At least, I’d try it out. Maybe wear it to the café. Have everyone ask me about it.”

Emma drew in a long, slow breath through her nose, shaking her head. But she didn’t comment on Regan’s lack of any college degree, either, and that felt… odd.

Sutton’s suspicion resurfaced, and she flicked her gaze back and forth between them. “So, again – what did I miss? What’s been going on, here?”

Regan bounced onto her tiptoes and opened her mouth, clearly ready to expel some sort of explanation or story, and Sutton braced herself for whatever it was.

Only to watch in fascination as Regan darted her eyes at Emma, and seemed to deflate. Literally. She snapped her mouth closed, and fell back to her heels, biting at the inside of her cheek as she shrugged. “Nothing much.”

Sutton stared at her best friends, absolutely baffled. And a little perturbed, if she was being honest.

Luckily, she didn’t even have to comment on how weird that moment had been, as Emma let out an aggrieved sigh. “You know, when I said I didn’t want to go around telling everyone and that I’d like things to be private, I imagined you doing a bit of a better job than that.”

Sutton turned her attention to Emma, who was rolling her eyes at Regan in exasperation, before she looked at Sutton.

“I saw Regan out here waiting for you and asked her if that per diem position for nights and weekends was still available at Topped Off,” she explained.

Surprised, Sutton tilted her head at Emma. “Oh. I… but you’re working at Olly?”

Emma, in true Emma form, had known exactly what she wanted to do after this, and had been doggedly working toward securing that for months.

Emma pursed her lips, shrugging. “Yeah, and it does pay really well. But I’m trying to get out of my apartment sooner rather than later, and if I can slog through six months or so working per diem to make that happen, so be it.”

There was a grim acceptance in her tone, something Sutton suspected was more about the fact that she was planning to work with/for Regan more than the fact that she was taking on this job at all.

“And it just so happens – the position was still open!” Regan grandly announced, and… well, Sutton understood the excited gleam in her best friend’s eye, now.

She was sure Regan was more than thrilled about this, for multiple reasons. Sutton mostly just hoped that Emma never snapped when there was a freshly brewed, steaming-hot coffee on hand.

She shuddered at the thought, trepidation working through her as she looked back and forth between Regan and Emma for several long moments. Was this the best idea in her humble opinion? Maybe not.

But, it wasn’t her life, and Emma – more than anyone Sutton had ever met – didn’t enjoy people prying into her decisions. Besides, even if Sutton didn’t know the exact reasons behind Emma’s choice to work at Topped Off, she knew Emma must have weighed this choice with careful deliberation before approaching Regan about it.

“Uh… all right, then. I hope it goes… well,” she cautiously congratulated? Was it a congratulations? She wasn’t sure, but she knew her uncertainty was reflected in her tone.

Thankfully, it made Emma’s expression brighten, and she laughed. Granted, it was a bit of a dark laugh, but still. “Me, too.”

“It’s going to be great,” Regan asserted, and even though she wasn’t actually doing it, Sutton could just see the way Regan was rubbing her hands together, mentally, with excited machinations.

Emma’s lips formed into a tight line as she cut Regan a look.

Yeah, Sutton needed to get out of here and break this little party up ASAP. “My parents are waiting for us, so we should probably go find them. Are you busy tonight?” She asked Emma, “We’re probably going to go out for dinner or something, and you’re more than welcome to come.”

She was entirely unsurprised when Emma politely shook her head in decline. “No, I can’t. My gram is here, too, actually, and I need to go and find her. We’ll probably do dinner tonight, too.”

Sutton stepped in and went in for a hug – something she and Emma didn’t frequently do, like she did with Regan, but it was always nice when it happened. Emma was an all-encompassing hugger, and Sutton found it very comforting.

“I’ll miss sharing the TA office with you,” she murmured, giving Emma a squeeze before they pulled back.

“No one else I’d rather be shoved in that office with,” Emma agreed, giving Sutton a small smile.

“Well, soon you’ll see that being shoved behind the counter with me at Topped Off is going to rival that camaraderie,” Regan smartly cut in, wearing that large, shit-eating smile.

Which made Emma’s disappear. “On that note – I’ll see you later. Have fun tonight.”

“You too!” Sutton returned as Emma started to walk away.

She shook her head at Regan even if she couldn’t help but be somewhat amused, as Regan looped her arm through Sutton’s, and they made their way through the crowd.

“Must you?” She asked Regan, gesturing over her shoulder in the direction Emma had set off in.

Regan scoffed. “Obviously, I must. She’ll see; it’s going to be great.”

Sutton drew in a long, deep breath but even if Regan and Emma were – somewhat – her monkeys, that was certainly not her circus.

They found her family nearly ten minutes later, and Sutton was soon engulfed in multiple hugs and congratulations, and she grinned in appreciation as she accepted the flowers presented to her from her parents.

“We’re so proud of you,” her dad told her for at least the fourth time since her parents had arrived in the city two days ago.

Flushing, Sutton smiled back. “Thanks, dad.”

“Yeah, yeah, we’re all very proud, like we’ve said a million times already. Can we get out of here? The next time someone brushes by me and pats me on the shoulder, I’m going to scream,” Alex grumbled, cutting someone who’d done just that a glare as they hurried away.

“Alex, I swear,” their mom muttered, shaking her head.

Alex held her hands up in defense. “Sorry! I just really thought we’d covered how proud we all are, multiple times already. Tonight we can finally jump into the what comes next part of this weekend, I thought.”

Ugh. Sutton narrowed her eyes at her sister, even as she felt her stomach clench.

It wasn’t really Alex’s fault. She’d known her parents had – to Alex’s point – spent the last couple of days focusing on the positive and gearing up for Sutton’s graduation ceremony, rather than focus on the what’s next portion.

But she’d known it was coming.

Oliver slung his arm around Alex’s shoulders, giving her a slight shake. “You’re killing me; can we just relish in being excited for Sutton, hmm?”

“Thank you,” her mom directed, appreciatively, at Oliver. “I’m sure we will hear about what comes next later, when Sutton’s ready to focus more on it. Today was a big day.”

Briefly, she locked eyes with Regan, who winced in sympathetic understanding.

She cleared her throat. “Um… well, I don’t have anything super solid lined up, yet. I’ve had a handful of interviews. And went on a second interview at a library, which I’m hopeful about.”

All true things.

Granted, at her second interview at the library, she’d overheard one of the women that had interviewed her that they’d met with a candidate before Sutton had come in that they were “very excited” about. Which hadn’t been very inspiring, and kind of sucked.

And what sucked even more was the whole Charlotte Thompson debacle, but – that didn’t even seem relevant to bring up to her parents.

Even though she’d challenged Charlotte to go ahead and run to her parents with the info, she sincerely hoped Charlotte didn’t. Honestly, what she’d said was true – neither of her parents would ever believed she’d acted like such an entitled shit, and they’d both easily understand that Regan had been… Regan.

She hoped Charlotte didn’t ever mention it because she knew her parents both continued to have their concerns about her living “so far away” from home, despite the fact that it had been over six years since she’d moved to New York. And if they found out Sutton was – even inadvertently – getting into these little SNAFUs… well, she didn’t want to manage that kind of fallout.

Her mom’s eyes brightened, her smile sliding over her expression, wide and warm. “The library? Sweetheart, that would be amazing!”

Sutton mustered up a smile, nodding. “Yeah. I’m… hopeful.”

The word nearly lodged in her throat, because of how much of a lie it was and how much she wasn’t used to and didn’t enjoy lying to her family.

She was grateful when she felt her phone vibrating in her back pocket, diverting her attention to that instead of this conversation.

Admittedly, she didn’t really know who would be calling her right now. She’d just seen Emma. Regan, her parents, Oliver, and Alex were all right in front of her, and she’d already spoken to her other siblings today.

She frowned down at her phone at the unknown number.

She’d saved all of the numbers from her interviews, bookmarking them as to make sure not to miss a call, so…

She ignored the call, before moving to put the phone into her pocket again.

Only, it rang again. Same number.

Frowning even deeper, she studied the number. Normally, spam calls didn’t ring her back to back from the same number…

“I’m going to take this real quick,” she informed her family, before answering the call, and stepped away, trying to find a slightly quieter spot, “Hello?”

“Ms. Spencer?”

Sutton nearly dropped her phone in shock.

She’d been a little surprised when she’d heard Charlotte’s voice in-person last week. She’d heard her before, in interviews, videos on her phone. But Charlotte’s faint – so faint – southern accent honestly was impossible to pick up on those clips.

She’d even gone home and listened again, just to confirm. Research purposes.

It had been a little disarming. As had been the fact that Charlotte Thompson was somehow more gorgeous in person than she’d even been in photos or videos. Like. Wow. All curves and full lips and large, doe eyes, and – just. Yeah. Wow.

Now that she was aware of that slight whisper of the accent under her words, though, Sutton heard it over the phone, even in just a couple of words.

She only realized she’d been silent, lost in her own thoughts, for a beat too long when Charlotte spoke again, “Is this Sutton? Sutton Spencer?”

“Yes! Sorry, yes. This is – me.” She cringed at herself.

“Wonderful,” Charlotte breezed past her blunder, thankfully. “Are you available this evening?”

Sutton froze, absolutely baffled by the question. She tossed her family a glance, though they were all engaged in conversation with one another, now.

“Um… that depends?” She answered, cautiously.

“On?” Charlotte pressed.

“On what you’re calling about,” Sutton clarified, even though she felt that was fairly obvious.

“Ah. Well, I have an event to attend this evening, and I’m inviting you to accompany me,” Charlotte informed her, like it was obvious.

Sutton’s eyebrows flew up high on her forehead, and she felt her cheeks heat as she immediately thought about the way Charlotte had looked in her office. The curve of her waist and the sharp cut of her cheekbones, and, “I…” She breathed out, entirely uncertain of how to respond. “In what… nature?” She managed to ask.

Charlotte was quiet for a moment, before she answered, “As my assistant?”

Obviously, she internally rolled her eyes at herself, before the realization hit her, and her breath caught in her throat, shocked excitement thrumming through her veins. “Does this mean that I got the job?!”

Yes, she couldn’t contain that swell of excitement, and she knew it was audibly obvious. She was honestly just glad Regan was holding court with her parents and not in earshot to tease her about it, later.

Truly, though, Sutton felt like she could be knocked over with a feather.

She knew she’d swayed Charlotte away from hating her guts after their meeting – she’d refused to let herself think of it as an interview, because she knew going into it that it was more of a morality test than a real chance at the job. But she had walked out of Charlotte’s office, after being dismissed only twenty minutes in, with the sinking knowledge that she hadn’t gotten the position.

“It means that this is your opportunity to show me you have what it takes for the position,” Charlotte countered, firmly. “This is how I’m working through the second round of interviews. As someone said, almost everyone that applies for this job is going to sit across from me in my office and tell me how prompt and organized they are. I’d like a real-life application before I make my final decision.”

That made total sense, and Sutton nodded along with Charlotte’s explanation like an idiot.

“So, are you available? It’s already, what, nearly four in the afternoon? I’ll need to be at the event by seven, and if you’re interested, I’ll need you to meet me there at that time, as well.”

Sutton shot her family another look, hesitating for only a moment. But she’d had dinner with them for the last two nights, and she was positive that they would not only be understanding but excited about her having this opportunity.

“I’m available,” she confirmed.

“It’s black tie. I’ll forward you the other details now.” Charlotte hummed softly under her breath, and Sutton could hear the soft sounds of her tapping on the keyboard of her laptop, clearly doing exactly what she’d said right in this moment. “And I’ll see you then.”

“I’ll see you,” she returned, before Charlotte ended the call.

For a long beat, Sutton could only stand, staring out blankly in front of her, as her blood buzzed through her veins.

She had a second interview with Charlotte Thompson!

Black tie.

In – in only three hours!

The weary dread that was born from the uncertainty of the future that had completely taken up residence inside of her over was gone. Dashed away.

And was completely replaced with a buzz that made her feel alive. Somehow, she’d gotten this far – even after the Regan-debacle – and if she could do that, then she could do this event. She was sure of it.

***

She was slightly less sure when she arrived at the venue a few hours later, checking the time as she hurried out of her Uber. 5:55.

Sutton let out a relieved breath, even though her stomach was still tied in knots.

Since the end of their phone call, she’d been in a nonstop rush. From explaining the situation to her parents and bidden them a quick goodbye – though, she’d been correct in believing that they’d be very excited for her – to rushing home, showering, doing her hair, and deliberating over what the hell to wear.

With Regan’s help, she’d settled on a dress she’d worn to one of her parents’ functions last year. A midnight blue A-line, with a floor-length skirt with the slightest slit up the leg – though, as Regan had assured her, it wasn’t inappropriate. Sleeveless, with a V-neck cut that, again, edged just on the side of appropriate enough to wear at a function her parents hosted and this formal interview.

She’d left her hair down, mostly because she simply didn’t have the time to do anything intricate to it, knowing that in order to get to the venue on time with weekend evening traffic in the start of the summer, she had to leave almost an hour early.

And she’d made it!

Something told her that if she was late by even a minute, this evening would be over before it even started.

Her stomach fluttered even as she tried to steel it, and she gripped her clutch tightly as she looked around. Her being here on time wouldn’t really matter all that much if Charlotte didn’t know she was here, would it?

She looked at the people milling around the sidewalk outside of the grand venue – she was hurried, but was doing everything in her power not to show it; that wasn’t the impression she wanted people to have for her as Charlotte Thompson’s assistant. Everyone was, as she’d been told, in formalwear, and was looking exactly as she’d expect from those attending this event.

Even if she didn’t actually know what the event was; that hadn’t been included in Charlotte’s email.

Biting her lip to ward off these nerves, she tapped her phone against the palm of her hand. Would texting Charlotte to find out where she was be… uncouth in some way? Was that acceptable? Sutton was more than happy to play by the rules, but she didn’t know what these rules were.

She glanced around once more, before unlocking her phone to start her message –

Charlotte? Congresswoman Thompson? How should she address her?!

I just wanted to let you know that I’ve arrived, and

Whatever wits she’d been using to type completely fled from her brain. Gone.

As the back door of the sleek black car that pulled up only feet away from Sutton opened, and Charlotte was revealed.

She stepped one foot out – wearing a sleek, black heel, revealing a smooth, shapely calf – brushing her hair long, curly brown over her shoulder as she stood up out of the car, and… and…

Sutton felt her face heat and her heart skip a beat at the low plunge of Charlotte’s neckline. The forest green dress she wore wasn’t technically revealing in any other way, not showing any of her thighs, as well as being long-sleeved, but… that deep V between her breasts was – it was –

Sutton wasn’t positive, but she had a sneaking suspicion that if she hadn’t known she’d been attracted to women for the last year, this moment would likely be a game changer for her.

Aside from the neckline – or lack thereof – the dress fit Charlotte like a second skin. Sutton’s might have a slit in the leg, but it wasn’t fitted to her body in a way that left nothing to the imagination!

Charlotte’s large, doe eyes looked completely beyond Sutton at first, up at the venue, with her lips pulled into a slight frown.

Sutton was only pulled out of her thoughts – her highly, stupidly inappropriate thoughts – when her phone slipped completely from her grasp and clattered to the sidewalk.

Grimacing, she knelt down, squeezing her eyes closed as she did so.

“Get it together, Sutton,” she hissed to herself, taking in a deep breath from between her clenched teeth. “You want this woman to be your boss,” she reminded herself.

Only to snap her mouth closed when she saw Charlotte – more aptly, Charlotte’s perfectly manicured feet wearing those strappy sharp heels – stride toward her, coming to a stop only a foot or two away.

Taking in a deep, settling breath, Sutton grasped her phone and slowly stood opposite her, intending to meet Charlotte’s gaze for the first time of the night.

Only, Charlotte’s gaze wasn’t on her face, but sliding down Sutton’s body.

She felt herself shiver – fucking stop – before she noticed the frown that had been on Charlotte’s face deepen, as Charlotte’s eyes actually did meet Sutton’s. Thankfully, the nerves that settled demandingly inside of her stomach eviscerated any lingering butterfly-like feelings.

Why was she frowning at Sutton like that?!

Uncertain, she glanced down at herself, smoothing her hand over the skirt of her dress. “I assumed this would work for black-tie?”

After all, Sutton understood what formalwear was appropriate for different events; she’d grown up in a very similar world to Charlotte, after all.

But… that frown was really making her doubt herself.

Charlotte pursed her full lips, as she shook her head slightly. “It works perfectly well. I appreciate you coming here on such short notice tonight.”

Surprised by the quick turn of Charlotte’s tone, Sutton slipped her phone into her clutch and rolled back her shoulders. “Absolutely. I figure that if I’m fortunate enough to be given this position, that there will be other events or meeting at the last-minute.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened slightly in obvious surprise, and Sutton felt a little thrill that she’d managed to do that. But Charlotte followed it up quickly with a nod. “Yes, that’s exactly right.” She sighed, softly, before admitting, “And, in all honesty, if I’d known that I was going to be making an appearance here tonight, then I likely would have scheduled this event with you, yesterday. It was… unplanned.”

Even though Charlotte didn’t actually roll her eyes, Sutton could hear it in her tone. And that – that alone was something Sutton would like to learn from her.

Sutton tilted her head in question. “What – exactly – is this event for? Is it political or social or both?” She ventured to ask, before rushing to add, “If that’s all right for me to ask. I’m just – you know, wondering how best to approach it, mentally.”

Which was true, but… she was also damningly curious.

Why were they here, dressed to the nines, without any proper planning? If it was work related, Sutton had to imagine that Charlotte wouldn’t be so unprepared… or, if she was, then this would be Sutton’s first lesson as to how Charlotte Thompson was a very different person in real life than the person she appeared to be. And if it wasn’t work related then – who did Charlotte answer to like this?

Also, what, exactly, was Sutton’s job here supposed to entail?

“It’s a gala hosted by the Thompson Foundation,” Charlotte explained, as she brushed her hand through her hair, before taking a deep breath and sending an intent look at Sutton. “We should head in.”

Sutton blinked, as she’d been expecting much more of an explanation than that! But she quickly nodded. “Uh, yes. I’m ready.”

Charlotte’s acceptance of her comment was met with her starting to strut toward the entrance of the building. In spite of the fact that Sutton had learned that this event was unplanned, that Charlotte hadn’t even known she’d be in attendance even yesterday, and that she’d also coordinated this at the last minute as Sutton’s second, hands-on interview, Charlotte looked incredibly poised and in-charge as she made her way forward.

Sutton didn’t scramble to keep up, but she did wish she could know how Charlotte managed to have such an effortless poise, and how to replicate it.

All a part of what she wanted out of this job, she reminded herself.

At the door, where Sutton noted people were stopping to give their names to security, Charlotte barely paused as she gave a smile that should win awards to the man at the door. “Good evening, Simon. This is Sutton Spencer, she’ll be coming in with me.”

The security guard – Simon, apparently – nodded, giving them a passing smile. “Have a good night, Ms. Thompson.”

Sutton kept pace a step behind Charlotte – was she supposed to walk next to her? – noting that everything Charlotte did really told Sutton more about her, even if Charlotte didn’t seem to realize it. She knew the staff that apparently frequently worked these events for the Thompson Foundation by name, which was a big positive in Sutton’s book.

Charlotte continued to stride forward – smiling and giving quick waves at people they passed on their way to the main hall, but with a brisk enough pace that she seemed as though on a mission. As though she should only be stopped for chatter if something was very important.

“I do detest not being prepared,” Charlotte muttered, once there was no one in their midst, as they entered through into the main area.

Sutton glanced at her in surprise, and she had the distinct feeling that Charlotte hadn’t meant to say that to Sutton, so much as she’d said it to herself, and Sutton was close enough to overhear it.

Feeling that surprise mix with the uncertainty still buzzing through her, Sutton bit the inside of her cheek. But after a moment, she couldn’t help but ask, “Why, exactly, are you unprepared?”

Charlotte’s sharp gaze slid to her, an eyebrow executing a perfect arch in question.

Sutton flushed, clearing her throat as she explained, “I just – you don’t seem to be someone that’s unprepared, typically. So I was just wondering…?”

“Hmm,” Charlotte hummed, softly, before she shrugged. “Though my grandmother is at the helm of the foundation, my parents, brothers, and I all have certain responsibilities in terms of appearances at events. Mine were very, very sparing over the last year, given how busy my schedule had been with the campaign. Tonight, my brother was supposed to be the requisite Thompson for a couple of hours, but he… was indisposed,” she finished with a dark mutter.

The disapproval in her dark tone made Sutton shudder unpleasantly and… yeah, if she got this job, she needed to never be on the receiving end of that.

“Which brother?” She asked.

Charlotte’s furrowed eyebrows disappeared as she gave Sutton a considering look.

“I know you have two, right?” She added, unsure if she was making a positive impression or not.

Granted, it was very much public knowledge that Elizabeth Thompson had three grandchildren, even if Sutton hadn’t been incredibly invested in Charlotte’s campaign and thus, her life over the last few months.

“I have three brothers,” she added, that uncertainty curling uncomfortably through her stomach. “And a sister. Two older, two younger – that is, one younger brother, and a younger sister. I know that you’re the youngest, right?” She turned the conversation back to the topic at hand, doing everything she could to maintain some public decorum and not let her rambling get too far ahead of herself.

Charlotte lifted both eyebrows high on her forehead, answering after a beat, “Yes, I have two brothers, and I’m the youngest.” She side-stepped everything about Sutton that she’d word-vomited, which Sutton could only be grateful for. She hoped it didn’t count too much against her in the grand scheme of things. “And it was Caleb that was supposed to be here, tonight. William still lives in Virginia, and rarely ventures to the city.”

Sutton mentally catalogued the facts, and mindfully didn’t ask what had Caleb so indisposed tonight that made Charlotte so eye-rolly about, rather than seeming concerned in any way.

“And given that I’ve been largely out of the loop when it comes to what’s been going on with our clients and benefactors in the northeast for the past year, having such short notice for this event is far from ideal,” Charlotte murmured, scanning her gaze over the crowd, before her eyes landed – the look in them laser-sharp – on Sutton.

She felt Charlotte’s energy buzz through her.

“Which is where you will come in tonight.”

“Where… I’ll be coming in,” she repeated, slowly.

Her words were slow, but her thoughts were already starting to race. What was she supposed to do, here? If Charlotte was “out of the loop” on the benefactors here, how could Sutton possibly be in the know?

Charlotte nodded, giving Sutton a wordless look that told her Charlotte was waiting for Sutton to connect the dots she was leaving.

“You want me to run interference,” she surmised, incredibly grateful for the lightbulb that suddenly flicked on above her head. Dear lord, tonight was the last night she needed to be working on a mental blank.

The way Charlotte’s lips curled into a slow smile was both a relief – she was right! – and terrifyingly attractive.

“Your second interview starts now,” Charlotte murmured, nodding just over Sutton’s shoulder.

Alarmed, Sutton whirled around just in time to see a man quickly lumbering toward them, his sharp gaze clearly focused on Charlotte, who grabbed a champagne flute from a passing waiter just in time to sip it as the man approached.

And Sutton nearly melted in relief when she recognized him – a beat later than she normally would have, after having felt so put on the spot.

Her smile was entirely genuine, and maybe too wide, as she diverted his attention before he could latch onto Charlotte. “Mr. Jones! What a surprise to see you here.”

He halted a step shorter than she believed he’d intended to, as his very intent, focused gaze landed on her, registering her presence for the first time. And that serious, direct look fell into a relaxed smile. “Sutton! Consider the surprise a two-way street. What are you doing here? Are your parents in attendance tonight? I hadn’t heard they would be.” He peered around the room with a cursory glance.

She waved her hand, dismissing the idea. “No, not tonight. I did have dinner with them last night, though, and they told me about the conservation initiative you’ve been working on.”

His grin grew brighter, wider, as he doffed an imaginary hat. “Couldn’t possibly have gotten anywhere without your father’s help. And your mother’s, actually; she worked with me on writing my proposal.”

“Is that what you’re here for?” She asked.

Martin nodded. “I’ve partnered with the Thomson Foundation for fundraising on a few projects. In fact, I was hoping to grab a word with the congresswoman.” He slid his attention to Charlotte once more. “As long as you two aren’t embedded in a conversation, of course. I can wait.”

“Oh, no, that’s all right.” What should she say about what she and Charlotte were doing? She wasn’t, technically, Charlotte’s assistant yet. But they also weren’t friends. She deliberately walked a line as she explained, “We were just wrapping up a conversation.” Sutton slightly stepped to the side, so Charlotte and Martin had a clear face-to-face with one another. “If you haven’t met yet, allow me the pleasure – Martin Jones, this is Charlotte Thompson.”

“So very nice to meet you. I’ve actually read through your last proposal you’d submitted to the Foundation; my grandmother thought it was brilliantly done,” Charlotte swiftly slid into the conversation, offering her hand to give Martin a firm shake.

Sutton breathed out a slow, deep sigh, feeling the slightest bit of confidence work through her.

She could do this. Actually, if this was what Sutton was here for tonight – running a social commentary and sly informational for Charlotte – she was fairly certain that she could do this quite well.

It was exactly what she’d done whenever she’d attended events with her dad over the years, what she did when she was assisting with running any of her parents’ parties or events at their home.

She might actually have a freaking shot at this.

***

That confidence remained – though she was drawing a line from being too confident. After all, there had been a part of the night that she’d accidentally bumped into someone and knocked their champagne flute to the floor. Granted, they’d been turning quickly and had knocked into Sutton, but she still hadn’t avoided it on time – as they exited the building two hours later.

She took a long inhale of the night air – in mid-May the evenings were just chilly enough to be on the wrong side of comfortable for Sutton, especially now that the sun had truly set. But it was nice.

She sent a sidelong look to Charlotte, wishing she was able to read her better.

She felt like she’d done a good job tonight, having remained at Charlotte’s side, but never interfering with Charlotte’s intentional conversations. She’d known a handful of people other than Martin Jones, and had been able to make easy introductions to several more.

But Charlotte was… interesting.

While she was emotive, Sutton could tell that the emotions and expressions she put on were a fascinating combination of genuine and fixed. She meant what she said and was never giving the people she’d spoken to tonight lip-service – at least, as far as Sutton could tell – but Sutton got the impression that what Charlotte was showing on public display was just the tip of the iceberg compared to whatever was playing out in her mind.

So even though Charlotte had given her several smiles and never seemed to be unhappy with Sutton, she couldn’t be sure they were on the same page.

“Is there more on the agenda for tonight?” She asked, clasping her hands in front of her.

Honestly, she still felt like she was buzzing a bit, from the energy inside, and if Charlotte told her there was another last-minute event they were going to tackle, she felt ready to do so.

Charlotte sent her a searching look, her lips tugging every so slightly into a grin. Something less of a grin, actually, and more of what Sutton would call an amused smirk. Before she shook her head. “No, that was all I’d had planned this evening. You’re free to spend the remainder of your Saturday night however you wish.”

Sutton didn’t know how to tell Charlotte that she was going to spend it by going home and changing into her pajamas by ten o’clock, eating ice cream, and regaling Regan about her evening. Well, she knew that she probably shouldn’t. So, she didn’t.

Worrying at her bottom lip, she slowly nodded. “All right. I guess I’ll head out, then.” She tilted her head, in the direction of the subway stop she knew was a couple blocks away.

Only to pause as Charlotte quickly held up a hand. “Hold on. Are you planning to take the subway, by yourself, after dark, dressed like that?”

Sutton frowned, deeply, unsure if she should feel insecure or insulted or both. “Um… yes? I don’t live that far, actually–”

“No,” Charlotte dismissed with a wave of her hand. “I’ve already ordered a car, which should be here–” She hummed in triumph, nodding as another sleek black car – like the one she’d climbed out of earlier – rolled up to the curb. “I’ll give you a ride.”

Without waiting for a response, Charlotte strode forward.

Sutton followed her, wondering what it meant. Was it a good thing? Was it a gentle let-down?

Though, she wasn’t really sure she believed Charlotte Thompson did gentle let-downs.

“I really don’t live all that far–” she started again, as Charlotte opened the door to the car for her.

“Wonderful, then you won’t take me too far out of my way,” Charlotte breezily countered, gesturing for Sutton to get in.

And… okay. Who was she to argue? And why would she? Of course, she’d rather have a ride in a private car than take the subway.

Charlotte slid in after her, settling close but not too close. And by that, Sutton meant – she could feel the brushing of the soft fabric of Charlotte’s long-sleeved dress against the bare skin of her arm, and could smell Charlotte’s elegant perfume with every inhale, but none of it was overwhelming.

It was nice.

She only realized she’d gotten too side-tracked in her mind when she trailed her gaze up from the contact of their arms to Charlotte’s face. Only to see that Charlotte was looking at her intently.

“Your address?” Charlotte asked, gesturing to the driver.

Who was also looking at Sutton.

Flushing, she quickly informed them both, before shaking herself out of any of those kind of thoughts – yes, Charlotte Thompson was drool-worthily attractive. Fine, she smelled incredible. Whatever. Sutton just wanted to work with her, and none of those things changed that.

As the car pulled away from the curb, she both felt and heard Charlotte draw in a deep breath. “I have to tell you, Ms. Spencer–”

She shivered at the way Ms. Spencer sounded coming from Charlotte, before she silently berated herself again, for the second time in, like, one freaking minute.

And then, she chuckled slightly at herself.

She wasn’t surprised when Charlotte aimed an arched, questioning look at her.

Blushing, she cleared her throat. “I – sorry. Stupid thing to have a reaction to.” Any reaction to, she firmly told herself. “But… Ms. Spencer sounds so…”

She trailed off, searching for the words.

“So…?” Charlotte drawled, but didn’t seem like she was teasing. She seemed, really, like she was genuinely interested to know what Sutton was thinking. She even angled herself slightly where she was sitting so that her arm wasn’t pressed against Sutton’s anymore.

But her thigh was, as she turned a bit.

Heat pricked at Sutton’s cheeks again, as she shrugged. “Formal, I suppose,” she landed on. “Only my advisor has ever really called me that, before, and he was my boss.”

Eyes widening as she felt herself blush even deeper, she shook her head. Great work, Sutton, really. You managed through tonight incredibly professionally, and now you have a foot-in-mouth moment!

“And, I know that would be our dynamic, too. Possibly. If I lived up to expectation, tonight. It’s just – you’re not…”

Thankfully, the look Charlotte aimed at her appeared to be more amused than anything. Even so, she pushed, “I’m not…?”

Groaning, Sutton dropped her head back against the seat. “Old? Older,” she added, thoughtfully. “Yes, you’d be my boss, but… it feels like something my advisor that is over twenty years older than I am, would say, rather than someone who’s fewer than five years older than I am.”

After all, Charlotte had the potential to be her boss, and yes, she was absolutely farther along in her life and her career planning than Sutton was. But, despite those things – actually, what made those things even more impressive – was the fact that Charlotte herself wasn’t even thirty, yet.

She didn’t even realize she was holding her breath, waiting on Charlotte’s response, until Charlotte’s lips quirked into a grin of acknowledgement. “That’s fair. Sutton.”

And the breath Sutton had just breathed in relief caught sharply in her throat at the inflection Charlotte put on her name. God, what was that? What kind of power did Charlotte Thompson have? Was that learned? Where did she learn it from? Sutton was fairly certain that she could work with Charlotte every day for the rest of her life and never learn how to do… that.

Shaking her head slightly – clearing those thoughts – she grinned back.

Charlotte blinked up at her once, then twice, clearly re-focusing herself. “Back to what I was saying: you did very well tonight. Exceptionally well.”

A shocked giddy feeling rushed through Sutton, and she could feel the tightness in her cheeks from how wide her smile became. “Really?”

“Really,” Charlotte confirmed, shooting her a curious look. “You outperformed the two other candidates that had been given this opportunity, by far. Not only were you prompt and organized with even less preparation time, but you were genuinely helpful. Very helpful. I…” She pursed her lips, her eyebrows furrowing slightly, as her voice dipped to a thoughtful tone, “I can genuinely say that the evening wouldn’t have been the success it was if you hadn’t been there to assist me.”

Even though Charlotte was saying very positive and affirming words, the look on her face didn’t necessarily reflect it. Still, though Sutton could feel herself positively beaming with joy, with pride.

Even so, she sobered slightly, and acknowledged, “I have to be fair, and say that it’s very likely the other candidates who’ve been given this opportunity likely haven’t had the privilege of my background. Tonight… wasn’t really a reflection of my skills as an assistant so much as a reflection on my upbringing and the connections and necessarily skills that I’ve made through that.”

As much as she didn’t love to admit that, she couldn’t deny that it was the truth. She doubted anyone else that was looking to be Charlotte’s assistant would have the knowledge and insight into this world that Sutton was granted, through no work of her own.

Charlotte looked up at her, eyebrows drawing together intently. Studying Sutton, as if she’d said something that somehow warranted this confused stare.

She tried not to squirm from it.

“You really mean that, don’t you?” Charlotte murmured softly, sounding the most genuine that Sutton had heard all night. Like this was the real, true Charlotte, at the core of who she was, with no polish mixed in.

Even so, Sutton was confused by it. “Mean… what?”

“You’re vying for a job that you very passionately proclaimed to want, but rather than accept the praise, you’re giving credit to your competitors,” Charlotte surmised, still in that thoughtful, intrigued tone.

Sutton honestly had no idea what Charlotte could find so intriguing about this, but… okay. She nodded slowly. “Yes? I mean, it’s just what’s fair,” she repeated. “It’s not anyone’s fault that they weren’t born to a politician or hasn’t attended events like this since they could remember. Just like it’s not to my own credit that I have.” She sent Charlotte a beseeching look, “And I’m not saying that I’m not proud of my family or where I come from or even that all of my siblings would enjoy doing what we did tonight.”

She almost choked at her own words once she heard them aloud, and rushed to course-correct.

“That is, I mean, other than Oliver, none of my siblings really enjoy being in this world very much. And we’re really lucky that our parents never pushed us into it, but I enjoy it.” Was she rambling again? She felt like she was going to start rambling again, and she needed to cut herself off.

“So, all I’m saying is – I’m really very proud to have been able to assist you tonight. To show you that I do have what it takes to be your assistant, even in a last-minute situation, in a room filled with movers-and-shakers. But I’m not someone that’s going to… to put other people down in any way just because they haven’t had the same opportunities in life that I have, even if they are vying for this job.” There. Okay. She felt she’d wrapped it up well enough.

There was a look in Charlotte’s eyes that she couldn’t put her finger on, but she didn’t think she’d seen it all night. A gleam in them that reflected, entirely too hypnotically under the passing streetlights that shined in through the window as they passed.

But it was definitely there, as Charlotte continued to stare at her with that indecipherable look on her face, for several more seconds.

“All right, then,” Charlotte finally said, her voice soft, as they turned onto Sutton’s street.

“All right?” She echoed.

“All right,” Charlotte repeated. “The job is yours. And while I’m not giving it to you purely because of your ability to work the room tonight, the reality is – that is a part of it. Just because it’s a skill you were able to hone through your upbringing doesn't mean it’s not a very useful skill in life; it will certainly be a skill I’d like you to employ while we work together.”

Excitement filtered through her, and she couldn’t contain the wide smile that overtook her face. “I have the job?!”

She couldn’t wait to tell Regan! And her parents!

“You do,” Charlotte confirmed, as they smoothly pulled up to the sidewalk outside of Sutton’s apartment. “When will you be done with your degree? We can work through your start date after that.”

“I’m done,” she was quick to answer, hoping that she wasn’t too giddy. “I, um, I actually graduated today. I was there when you called me.”

The surprise that filtered over Charlotte’s face was undeniable. “Oh. Well. I’m sorry for taking you away from that.”

Sutton easily waved away the apology. “It’s fine; this was better than whatever else I’d have done!”

There was a doubtful look in Charlotte’s eyes, but she pursed her lips and didn’t push it any further. “All right. Why don’t you show up to my office on Monday morning by eight, and we’ll get started then?”

It took everything inside of her not to do a little victory dance in her seat. She literally clamped her hands around her crossed knees so tightly, containing herself. “I’ll be there,” she promised.

“Me, too,” Charlotte assured, and it took Sutton a moment to realize that Charlotte was slightly teasing her – clearly noting her glee.

She chuckled, a little sheepish but, oh well.

Unsure of what else to do or say without making a fool of herself, she unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door. “Thank you,” she paused to say, entirely seriously. “For giving me a chance after our less-than-stellar start.”

Charlotte studied her, before granting her a small smile. “Thank you, for not making me regret it.”

Yep, there was that beaming smile she felt zip right back.

She had a very, very good feeling about this.

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