Chapter 11: On The Hunt For Someone Else

Logan finally slowed down when it was clear he couldn’t drive too fast through a neighborhood with so many bumps and little or no visibility because of the rain. While Charlotte was glad about it, she was also hoping the rain would stop in the next five minutes. How on earth was she going to carry those boxes of champagne to the house in this rain? She really didn’t want Logan to have to park in the driveway. 

The living room had enormous windows with views of the driveway and the front lawn. Everyone would see her arrive in this flashy car, and while she didn’t really mind what the guests would say, her mom would be a problem. 

Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t realize that Logan had almost stopped. He kept gesturing with his hands as if asking permission to speak.

“You can talk,” Charlotte said loudly, rolling her eyes. She had to speak up because the pounding rain made it almost impossible to hear. 

“Thank you, Miss Astor.” Logan picked up speed once he was free of his silent promise. “I’m afraid my chivalrous side won’t permit me to drop you off a block away. You’ll get those pretty curls of yours wet, and I’m afraid I don’t have an umbrella on me.”

“That’s no concern of yours, Mr. Hamilton.”

“Of course it is. What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t help you take those boxes, too?”

“You are not a gentleman, so it won’t be a problem,” Charlotte said, giving him a wide smile.

“You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?” Logan also smiled as he squinted to see the road. The rain was still coming down hard. 

“Well, you all but gave me permission to speak my mind around you, so I plan to do just that,” Charlotte said. “Turn here. You can park next to those oak trees and I’ll take it from there.” She pointed towards the row of bushes that fenced off her property. There were several cars parked on the street and close to the driveway, and among them, she spotted Floyd’s mother’s car. That probably meant Floyd was here too. 

Logan ignored Charlotte’s request and pulled up towards the driveway, parking the car right in front of the garage entrance. She glared at him, and his only response was a shrug. When she was about to step out of the car, she saw someone pull the curtains open from inside the house, and a few faces looking out towards Logan’s car.

“Great. Now I’ll be the talk of the party,” Charlotte said, more to herself than to Logan. 

“What is that I hear? That you don’t want to steal someone’s spotlight?”

“I don’t care about that! But my mother will be scandalized that I’m arriving in a car like this one, with a man she knows nothing about.”

“I was under the impression you were an adult,” Logan said dryly. 

“See, you’ll never understand how society works here, which is why you think you can say or do anything you want,” Charlotte said, opening the door. A gust of wind blew her dress and she quickly grabbed it to prevent it from revealing the entirety of her legs. 

“Of course I understand how it works. I live here, too. And I come from a similar place,” Logan said. “Stay there. Don’t be stupid.”

Charlotte was about to berate him for calling her stupid, but Logan left the car, slamming the door behind him. Through the rearview mirror, she saw him pulling out the boxes of drinks, and then he ran up the driveway to leave them at the doorstep. He was drenched in a few seconds. 

Just when he made the last run carrying the third and final box, Charlotte saw Natalya, their Ukrainian maid, open the door and hold out an umbrella. She and Logan exchanged a few words, and then Logan walked back to the car, holding out the umbrella for Charlotte.

Little good did it do when it was practically raining sideways, but Charlotte held on to her dress and reluctantly accepted Logan’s help in getting to her house. 

Charlotte’s mother stood at the doorway, looking at her and Logan up and down.

“Charlotte,” she said sternly. “Who might this gentleman be?”

“This is-”

“I’m Logan Hamilton, ma'am. I’m just giving Charlotte a ride,” Logan cut in before Charlotte managed to finish her sentence. “It is my fault Charlotte stayed late in the office, so I offered to give her a ride.” 

“Oh, you also work in Reynolds and Manche?” Charlotte’s mother said. Charlotte noticed she placed emphasis on Manche, Edward’s last name as if taunting her because it was his name on the firm now and not hers. “Are you in any way related to the Hamiltons from Rhode Island?” 

“No, ma'am, but I also work in the building. And no, I don’t have relatives in Long Island, I’m sorry to say,” Logan said. He was purposely avoiding the truth, Charlotte realized. “Well, I should be going. Have a wonderful evening.”

“Noo! You can’t leave in this weather,” Charlotte’s mom said, further opening the door. “You must stay at least until the rain has passed. And you’ve been so kind to my daughter.”

What the woman wasn’t saying but really meant was: “I want you to stay so I can learn everything about you and why on earth my daughter arrived here with you.” 

“Mom, if he has to go, he has to go,” Charlotte said. “Thank you for the ride, Logan.” 

With that, Charlotte stepped inside to see that everyone was pretending to be in the midst of very interesting conversations while glancing towards the door and trying to hide it. Mary, who was surrounded by a few of Charlotte’s former high school friends, left her group and ran towards Charlotte.

“Dearest! I’m so glad you could make it!” She hugged Charlotte, apparently not caring if she got wet too in the process. “Please, come in and make yourself comfortable. It’s your house after all!” 

“Hi Mary,” Charlotte said, giving her a smile. It did annoy her that Mary was there acting like a host, when yes, this was Charlotte’s house too. But it was Mary’s party, and she had to remember that she was only there to make Edward jealous. 

Then she heard the door close and to her horror, Logan was inside too. Her mother hadn’t let him get away. 

“Charlotte, who is that man?” Mary whispered, grabbing Charlotte’s arm. “Are you seeing someone you vixen?” 

“No. He… works in the building and gave me a ride.” 

“That is Logan Hamilton,” said a voice Charlotte would recognize anywhere. “He owns-”

“The firm is working for him,” Charlotte said, interrupting Edward. He stepped towards Mary, giving her a one-arm hug. 

“It’s great to see you, Charlotte. Thank you for coming.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t miss this for the world! My favorite people getting married,” Charlotte said with a smile. 

Let the show begin. Never mind that Logan was here. Intruding, again. 

“We’ve been looking through a few magazines with your mom, but you must help me! There’s simply so much to do and I don’t even know where to start,” Mary said, exchanging smiles with Edward. She looked as sweet and innocent as ever with a white, flowered dress, her hair in a ponytail. 

“I… will go get you girls something to drink. What are you having, Charlotte?” Edward asked. 

“Oh, don’t worry about me. I’ll get something soon. Did you invite Floyd, by any chance?” she said sweetly. 

Edward looked confused for a split second. “Yes,” he replied. “I believe he’s outside with the other guys from the office.” 

“Great!” Charlotte said. “Excuse me.”

She spotted her mother cornering Logan with a few other older ladies. Well, if he insisted on being in the lion’s den, he’d have to learn to survive. 

Charlotte, however, was on the hunt for someone else.