“No way! I want to stay away from the word sweet forever. And before we go any further here I have to tell you something, Sasha. It wasn’t me who left,” Charlie began. She knew revealing this to Sasha was risky—she wanted to be executive producer, yes, but she also knew the truth had to come out now or it would be hanging over her head forever. Besides, dishonesty was no way to start a business partnership. “It was my twin sister, Cass . . .”
When she finished the story of the swap, she waited for Sasha’s reaction. For one sickening moment she thought the silence meant it was all over. But then Sasha started laughing.
“Oh, this helps a few things make a lot more sense!” Sasha was still chuckling. “Like that sourdough starter face mask she promised me that never materialized.”
“？‘Sourdough starter face mask’？ What?”
“Let’s just say your sister is quick on her feet. Cass is a natural, too. This makes me even more certain I want to work with both of you. In fact, I’m calling the streaming network now and then I’ll call you right back.”
“Okay.” Charlie paused and then said, “Wait, Sasha, it’s Christmas Eve. No one is going to be available. Aren’t you trying to get out of there for the holidays?”
“It’s my ex-husband’s year to have Christmas with our son. Part of the new custody agreement. It’s fine. I’ll see him on Boxing Day.” But Sasha’s voice wobbled over the word “fine” and Charlie felt a surge of compassion. It was a side of her boss that Charlie had never glimpsed; Sasha didn’t talk about her personal life at work. Only once had she mentioned her family, during a preshow planning session when Sasha and Charlie had found themselves at the reading table alone. Sasha had confided how important it was to her to be both a devoted mother and a successful producer, even if she sometimes felt guilty about how much she worked.
“This may sound crazy, but why don’t you come here? No one should have to be alone on Christmas Eve. There’s a big party in the town square that starts soon but lasts long into the night, so you’ll make it here in time for sure, and you can stay at my parents’ place.” Charlie paused for a breath, then, “Unless you have other plans? But if not, you’re welcome to come, Sasha. It would be great to see you.”
“Thank you. That actually sounds perfect. And we could maybe talk more about the show in person?”
“Yes!” Charlie said with a laugh. “But not too much work talk—it is Christmas Eve, after all.”
She gave Sasha directions—and a warning to dress warmly—then hung up and turned to pick up the bag of recycling she’d brought outside with her. As she tossed it into the bin, she heard a voice.
“Hey, I could have done that for you.”
She turned and smiled. “Jake. You’ve done a lot for me recently, don’t you think?”
He stood across from her in the darkness. She wished she could see his face more clearly, be certain what he was thinking and feeling.
“I’m so sorry,” she began. “I shouldn’t have lied to you—”
But he was stepping closer, slipping his arms around her waist, and pulling her close. “No more apologizing,” he said. “I’ve already realized I have no choice but to forgive you. Last night, seeing how scared you were about Cass being lost and hurt made me realize how scared I’d be if anything happened to you. And how important it is to keep you from ever being that upset again. The thing is, Charlie, I don’t think it matters what name you were using—it’s you I’ve fallen for. I know I thought you were someone else, but I got to know the real you this week. And I love all the things I’ve learned about you.”
Charlie looked up at him. It felt too good to be true, that this man she had fallen so hard for had the same strong feelings for her—and was willing to forgive. “I still feel like I need to find a way to make it up to you.”
“There’s one thing I’d like to do actually . . . and it feels like it’s been too long since I have.” He leaned down to kiss her. Charlie closed her eyes, losing herself in his kiss. When she opened her eyes again, Jake rubbed his hands up and down her arms and it reminded her of the first time they had kissed, how careful and caring he had been.
“You cold? Should we go in?”
“No, I’m not cold at all. I could stay out here kissing you all night. Like you said, it’s been too long.”