More Than Friends

Chapter 8: Charlotte

Charlotte had gotten a little over halfway through reading, editing, and taking notes on the novel that Max had sent her by the time Brady, Madison, and Steph got back from lunch and she was ready to take a break. The book Max had sent her wasn’t anything different from the usual stuff that Hughes published. It was fine, it might even be better than fine, but it wasn’t all that exciting or unique. It wasn’t new, fresh, different; it didn’t make her think or really push her in any way. Hughes had built a solid business on publishing romance novels that were predictable, charming, and ended happily-ever-after. It fit the industry standard and Charlotte thought this book was desitined to be another on in a long line of successful publications.

She knew that there was a market for these books—the company’s success made that crystal clear. She was happy to be a part of a successful publishing company, no matter the focus, but she wished, as she often did, that she could work with more variety. Hughes had found its niche in the romance world and had never deviated. Given the fact that it was one of the most prolific in the nation, she could see why. But with a well-established presence in this particular genre, Charlotte wondered if now wasn't the ideal time to pitch her idea for the future of the company. Maybe this opportunity had been kismit, affording her the chance she'd been waiting for to make her move. Earning Max's respect and deepening their professional relationship might just create the perfect moment for her to talk to pitch the idea she'd been thinking about for so long.

She had always assumed no one would listen to a lowly assistant editor. But perhaps this could be her way in, working directly with Max could give her the opening she’d long awaited. Maybe she could muster the courage to tell him her ideas and maybe, just maybe, he’d think they were valuable. It could be her big break, bigger even than editing an entire book; it could be her chance to change the trajectory of the company as a whole. The thought was intoxicating, making her body buzz with excitement and her mind raced ahead imagining all the possibilities. For now, she would tuck it in her back pocket and if she felt like there was a good opening, she would speak her mind. And even if she didn't find a good time to share her thoughts, it would be beneficial to her career just to work closely with Max. She could learn up close from one of the best in the business and that was worth a lot in this industry, not to mention the options it could open for her future and possibly being promoted.

As she thought about working closely with Max, her body tingled with anticipation at the thought. She imagined sitting next to him, close enough to smell him, feel the heat from his body. She could imagine being close enough for her fingers to graze his forearm or his thigh. Her insides went liquid at the thought. She squeezed her eyes shut and forced the image from her head. This was her boss, this was a business relationship, she couldn't allow herself to indulge any fantasies.

She heard Brady, Madison, and Steph walking back toward their cubicle.

“How was lunch?” she asked the three of them as they walked to their desks.

“Good,” Steph and Madison said at the same time and then laughed at each other.

“Nice to sit outside,” Brady said. “It’s a gorgeous day.”

“Soooo,” Madison said to Brady in a sing-song voice, wiggling her fingers and raising an eyebrow in his direction. “Have you texted her yet?”

Steph gasped, “There’s a her? Who is she?” And then turning to Madison and swatting at her, said, "And why didn't you tell me?"

Madison said, "It's not mine to tell."

Like that ever stopped you before, Charlotte thought ruefully.

Charlotte glanced at Brady, whose cheeks had bloomed a deep shade of pink. There was no way that Brady texted this girl the day after running into her. She knew him well enough to know that he would wait at least another day or two, that is if he texted her at all.

“Well… kind of… she’s not a her—I mean she iss a her, she’s just not my her.” Brady stammered.

All three women stared at him while he floundered.

"Okaaay..." Madison said finally. "But did you text her?"

“Yeah,” he finally said and Charlotte detected something akin to shame flit across his face, as if he'd been caught doing something he shouldn't.

Madison squealed and jumped up and down, clapping her hands. Charlotte had the sudden urge to slap her. She stared at Brady, who didn’t look back at her, and she wondered what had prompted this departure from his regular MO. Maybe he saw something with this girl, maybe they really connected, and he wanted to pursue something—to not let her go. Charlotte felt her stomach drop slightly at the thought of Brady getting really serious with another woman, which surprised her because why shouldn't Brady get serious with another woman? He was her best friend and she wanted the best for him. She shook off her body's negative reaction and plastered on what she hoped was a convincing smile.

She chastised herself for this ridiculous response. She refused to be the type of best friend to Brady that wouldn't agree to be his girlfriend but stood in the way of any others. The: I don't want him, but you no one else can have either. She hated that girl, she would never be that girl, that girl sucked. And yet. Her heart was racing, she felt sick to her stomach, and she wanted to find this horrible brunette and tell her to stay the hell away from her Brady. But he wasn't hers, was he? He was her best friend, but nothing more. She'd always made the very clear. And she still felt that way... so why was she feeling like this?

“That’s awesome!” Madison said, finally settling down. “When are you going?”

“Wait!” Steph said, stomping her foot. “Who is this person?”

“Do you remember my friend Gigi?” Madison asked, looking at Steph expectantly. “You met her at my Christmas party?”

“Umm… I think so,” Steph said, tilting her head up in thought. “Wait! Does she have dark hair, kind of petite, and like gorgeous?”

“Yes-- and I know right?” Madison said. “I’d kill for those lips. Or at least pay a lot of money for them.”

Madison and Steph both laughed. Charlotte tried to chime in with her own, but her laughter sounded a little hollow.

“That's so exciting Brady,” Charlotte said, trying to sound genuine. "I remember her from your party, Maddie, she's beautiful."

Madison and Steph nodded vaguely in her direction. She felt as if they could see right through her, that they could detect her internal struggle, and that they knew how unfair she was being to Brady. Shame crept up Charlotte’s neck, heating her cheeks.

“We’re grabbing a drink at that restaurant and wine bar, The Vinery, on Thursday,” Brady said. “Totally chill,” he added, glancing quickly at Charlotte.

“Oh, that place looks awesome,” Madison said. “You’ll have to tell me how it is.”

“Yeah, I’ve been dying to try it,” Steph said. “I’m so excited for you, Brady!”

“Yeah—so fun!” Charlotte said, trying to match Madison and Steph’s enthusiasm.

Madison and Steph went back to their desks and back to work. Charlotte stood up so she could take a quick, fifteen-minute walk around the courtyard to give her legs some exercise and her eyes a break. Brady stayed where he was, and their eyes met. He gave her a look that seemed to say, “If you want me to cancel this date, I will.” Her heart squeezed and split in half: one half of her heart wanting to beg him to cancel it and the other knowing that she couldn’t, that she had no business telling him what to do, she had not authority over his heart.

“I’m excited for you, Brades,” Charlotte said, squeezing his arm as she walked past him. “She sounds great.”

After she took a few trips around the courtyard, clearing her head and relishing the fresh air, she spent the rest of the day reading and was nearly finished when an email came through.

To: Charlotte Miller

From: Max Blackwell

Subject: Novel Proof

Charlotte—hope you’ve had some time to take a look at the book I sent you this morning. I’d really like to hear your thoughts tomorrow. Can you be in the office by 8:00 and we can go over it?

Charlotte immediately typed back her response.

To: Max Blackwell

From: Charlotte Miller

Subject: Novel Proof

Of course! I’ll see you then.

Charlotte

She checked the time, 5:30. She still a couple more hours of reading, so she decided to take her computer home and finish it there. As she was packing up, she noticed Brady was doing the same. They said bye to Madison and Steph and headed to the elevator together.

“So… you excited for your hot date on Thursday?” she said, nudging him with her elbow.

“I’m not sure how hot it is, but yeah, I think it’ll be fun,” Brady said casually.

“Well, she’s definitely hot even if your date isn’t,” Charlotte joked. “I didn’t get to talk to her at that party, but she seems cool.”

“Yeah, she’s pretty cool. And definitely hot,” Brady said, nudging her back.

She wasn’t sure how to respond to that, it made her feel uncomfortable to think about him with another woman, touching her, kissing her. She pushed the image out of her mind.

He gave her a quick hug and said, “See you tomorrow, Lottie.”

She replied with a smile, “Yeah. See ya.”

When she got home, she threw dinner together and finished the book while she ate. She gathered her thoughts and tried to organize them into a brief outline that she could share with Max the next morning. By the time she was finished, she was exhausted and ready for bed. She rubbed her neck, which was stiff and pinched after sitting over a computer all day and decided to take a bath.

She turned on the tap and added bubbles, she even lit a candle hoping to create a relaxed atmosphere. After peeling off her work clothes, she slid into the hot, soapy water and instantly felt her body relax. Laying back against the tub, her thoughts turned to her meeting with Max the next day. She thought of sitting in his office, across from his intense gaze, his impossibly chiseled shoulders and chest that were always straining against whatever shirt he wore.

She told herself that she would have to be very focused tomorrow, that she would need to work hard not to be flustered. This is the most important meeting of your life, she told herself firmly. She wouldn’t allow herself to be intimidated by him or drawn in by his good looks. This was the biggest moment of her career and he was her boss, she couldn’t risk letting her feelings of attraction for him get in the way.

After she felt sufficiently ready and mentally prepared, she relaxed even more. Her hands traveled down her body, stopping between her legs. She touched herself softly at first, letting herself get lost in the sensation. Suddenly she was imagining Brady there with her. Sliding into the bath, his hands where hers were, his mouth on hers. She tried to fight the image, she didn’t let herself think of Brady this way, but the feeling was too strong. It was his fingers and tongue and body that she wanted in that moment. She gave in and let herself come while the water sloshed inside the bathtub.