Page 27 of Gossip Game

Heaving a frustrated sigh, she focused on the computer screen and her ever-patient sister-in-law. “Send me the resumés for the five names you have, and we can set something up.”

Bridgett nodded just as Vivi appeared on the screen. She was dressed in her Blaze jersey, her dark braids adorned with ribbons in the team colors, red and black.

“Good morning, Sweet Pea,” Charlotte gushed. “Looks like you are all set for another Spirit Friday at school.”

“Mornin’ Aunt Charlie. I miss you. When are you coming back?” Vivi demanded.

Charlotte’s chest swelled at her niece’s words. She’d been back in London for barely five days, and she missed the twins like crazy. Biologically, she was not the little girl’s mother, but she’d carried her and her brother for nine months—she had the stretch marks to prove it. And she loved them as much as any mother could.

Yet another reason she had decamped to the other side of the Atlantic after giving birth. She wanted to give them time to bond as a family. And, if she were honest, it hurt not having the babies all to herself any longer.

She’d thought her maternal connection had waned a bit over the past five years. Given her visceral reaction to the little boy, Dalton, on Sunday, that wasn’t the case. Just imagining enduring what those parents were going through had nearly knocked her on her ass in fear. If Noah hadn’t been there to talk her down, she wasn’t sure what she would have done.

Nope. As much as she wanted to be a part of her niece and nephew’s lives, it was better to do it from afar. Like another continent afar.

“I’m not sure, honey,” she replied. “But you know I’m always a video chat or phone call away.”

Vivi’s mouth formed a mulish line. “But you’re asleep when we get home from school.”

Guilty as charged.

“I’ll tell you what,” Charlotte said. “I’ll wait up for you tonight. Call me after school and you can tell me whose jersey the kids are wearing.”

“That’s easy.” Vivian’s expression turned sour. “All the girls want Noah.”

So does this girl.

“Go brush your teeth,” Bridgett told her daughter. “And tell your brother we are leaving in ten minutes.”

“Love you, Aunt Charlie,” Vivi called out as she scurried off.

Charlotte blew her a kiss. “Love you more.”

“This whole thing with Noah has taken on a life of its own,” Bridgett remarked.

“What do you mean?” she asked, despite knowing precisely what her sister-in-law meant. London wasn’t exactly the Moon. The social media chatter about her and Noah’s supposed relationship had reached a fever pitch worldwide. Their theories bordered on ridiculous given that they both lived an ocean apart.

“The images of you two leaving the stadium Sunday,” Bridgett said. “You looked . . . content. I’d even go so far as to say happy.”

“I’m always happy,” Charlotte argued.

“Uh, huh.” Bridgett didn’t look convinced.

“I am!”

“Okay, maybe happy is too generic of a word. Blissful would work.” Bridgett snapped her fingers. “No. Enraptured. That accurately captions the look on your face in those images.”

“Don’t be silly. It’s not at all what you think.”

And there she went lying to her sister-in-law again. Charlotte was more than enraptured by Noah. Too bad he wasn’t enraptured by her.

She’s not my type. Not worth the effort.

The words he’d spoken three years ago still haunted her. Still rattled her confidence. Sure, they would burn up the sheets together. Their kisses assured her of that. But she wanted more from Noah. More that he very succinctly told her he wasn’t ever going to give.

“Then what is it?” her sister-in-law prodded.

“Don’t you have to get the kids to school?”

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