The Assistant

During the interview, Emery mentioned that there could be occasions where Luz wouldn’t be able to stay, and Charlotte would be asked to step in. The same was true for their housekeeper in Boston and Charlotte would have to make sure everything was taken care of in their home in the city. Now that Charlotte had seen their refrigerator and kitchen, she was looking forward to those evenings. She’d never meal prepped in a space as beautiful as this one before.

“Let’s start by giving you a tour,” Jesse said when Charlotte faced her again. Jesse moved next to Emery and he put his arm around her waist. “In those instances when you may be spending time with our kids, feeding them or taking Tommy somewhere, even staying the night, I want to make sure you’re comfortable with that process. In the past, when Luz was unavailable, we relied on friends. We won’t be doing that anymore, Emery will now be asking you.” Jesse looked at her husband as she spoke.

“I’ll gladly step in whenever you need me to,” Charlotte said.

Jesse glanced back at Charlotte and said so warmly, “Wonderful.” Then, she turned to Emery and continued, “I’ll be seeing you after lunch?”

“Yes.”

Charlotte nodded at him just as Jesse said, “Let’s get started.”

Before Charlotte left the kitchen, she gazed in Emery’s direction to see if he needed anything. After all, she was his assistant. What she saw was Emery holding the mug to his lips, his throat moving as he swallowed.

She kept her eyes on him the whole way to the corner and only glanced away because she turned. In all that time, Emery never looked at her once.

That right there made Charlotte smile.