Page 55 of The Wrong Move

“Nothing’s wrong. I was hoping you could show Giana around.”

I step out from behind Byron and give a small wave. “Hi.”

Did he really need to bring me here? It’s been years since I have seen Charlotte. She is blonder than before but with the same blue eyes as Byron. She wears a classic navy suit jacket and pencil skirt to match. Her heels match too, and she looks everypart the businesswoman and not the teenager I remember, who loved her tiny denim shorts.

“Gigi,” she says affectionately, coming in for a hug. “It’s been a while.”

“It has. You’ve grown up,” I say and laugh, not knowing how to explain how quickly the years have passed.

“Well, I’ll leave you two to catch up.” Byron kisses my cheek. “See you after the game.”

Watching his sexy ass as he strides away could be my new favorite pastime. My man looks damn fine in a suit.

“You look beautiful,” Charlotte says, distracting me. “And you’ve barely changed.”

I laugh once, knowing her kind words are not true. “While I recognize the Lottie I used to know, I now see a professional businesswoman.”

Charlotte closes the door behind me. “Thank you. Sometimes, I think Byron still sees his little sister. If I point out something he disagrees with, he retaliates like he would if we were home bickering like teenagers.” She points to a lounge chair by a coffee table. “Take a seat.”

“Oh, I don’t want to keep you from your work. Honestly, I could have found my way around and am rather embarrassed Byron brought me up here to be babysat.”

Charlotte grins. “If I know my brother, you’re here so other guys aren’t looking at you.” She opens a cupboard door that reveals a hidden refrigerator. “Champagne?”

“God, yes. Thank you.” I take a moment to look around Charlotte’s office. There are three office desks, a lounge area, and a massive bookcase. Trophies don each shelf, and on the walls are framed jerseys of, I assume, famous players. “I don’t think Byron is the possessive type.”

“Are we talking about the same Byron Hendricks?” She grins as she hands me a crystal flute.

I laugh. “Oh, I know how particular he is about everything, but we’re not at that stage where I’m his, nor will we ever be. I’ve always considered a relationship to be a partnership.”

Charlotte clinks her glass with mine. “I agree.”

I take a sip. It tastes expensive. I take another sip and another. “Is there anyone special in your life?”

Charlotte runs her finger along the outside of the crystal. Her expression is pensive, as though she is considering her words. “There is, but we’re not official if you know what I mean.”

“I do.”

“We’ve been seeing each other on and off for a few years, but we’ve never been exclusive until recently. Now I’m ready, but I sense he’s not ready to put that label on our relationship. It’s not that he doesn’t want to be with me but more about other people knowing our business.”

“Ah.”

She toys with her long, blonde ponytail. “We’re happy, so it shouldn’t matter what other people think, right?” Her eyes scan mine as though she seeks understanding.

“It shouldn’t, yet we all seem to allow others’ opinions to control us in some form.”

“What about you and Byron? Do you see a future together?”

Oh. I take another sip and allow the cool liquid to ease my throat. “It’s too early to make assumptions. We’re barely past being friends again.” Charlotte’s eyebrows rise. Has Byron told her otherwise? “While I’m home for a while to be with family, I’m also not sure if my career will lead me back to Italy.”

Charlotte beams her big smile at me. “I did hear about your art and fashion and how famous you are now. Actually, I was told by a certain someone to purchase every past issue ofVoguethat features you.”

I look away as heat travels to my face. “He didn’t?”

“He did. He’s very proud of you.”

I take another sip. “I didn’t realize he’d asked you to do that?”

Charlotte shakes her head. “While I enjoy helping him with certain requests, he often acts like I’m his PA. He’s always had a little sister who will get things done for him. But now, there is a whole team that needs shit done. And yes, we have people employed for these roles, but the guys like to ask me because apparently, I’m like a little sister to all of them.”

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