"Hi" she opened the door, glowing, like she'd been laughing.
"Am I interrupting?"
"Never! Charlotte's making cocktails in the kitchen. You remember-"
"Yes of course" he reassured as she stepped aside and headed towards her dining room.
"I've been wanting to-" she stopped and gave him a look that told him she was about to be awkward.
"Go on" he laughed, trying to remember if she had ever been awkward before the fire. Perhaps she had just hidden it from him. Perhaps this was the more honest version of her, the version she was starting to accept, no longer bolstered by an artificial confidence. Eddie liked and disliked it in equal measures.
"What you said to the governors in that meeting…" he smiled at her and began to shake his head. "No! Let me say it! A tad dramatic… but I really appreciate it, thank you" she smiled.
"Meant every word" he replied.
"I know… which probably means we should get you a CT scan or something" she teased.
"Yeah, I've got one booked, don't worry" he said flatly.
"But seriously, I know I never really say it. I appreciate your support, more than you know" she said, a slightly more serious tone to her voice.
"I really don't want you to leave. We're a great team and… honestly it feels like we're almost there" he said with excitement and it was infectious. "Maybe one more year or so, on this trajectory and… we'll have done what you set out to. It'll be unrecognisable" his hands landed on her upper arms. She looked at him surprised for a moment then smiled.
"Fingers crossed" she said.
"Oh come on. When did you become the pessimist and me the optimist" she debated that for a moment.
"Good point. Okay fine, one more year" she smiled.
"We'll give it one hundred percent" her face fell slightly.
"Ninety. You should do ninety" she said.
"Giving me permission to slack off?"
"No" she laughed. "But you have a family to focus on now. Make that your priority" she watched a soft smile cover his face. His eyes ran over her for a moment. "Besides, I already do a hundred and ten. You just never notice" she broke the tension with her usual charm.
"Oh I notice" he laughed. "Right, I'll let you get back to brewing toxic waste" he gestured to her glass.
"We prefer potions. It's a full moon tonight, Eddie. That's when the coven meets" Charlotte appeared in the doorway. He looked at the other woman for a moment, something in her countenance had changed since the first time they met, less sweet, like she wanted him to leave. He took the hint.
"Okay, I will take that as a warning" he headed to the door.
"I would" Charlotte smirked. The two women followed him to the door and, when he peered back towards them, Rachel's head was resting on Charlotte's shoulder, whilst Charlotte had wrapped her arm around Rachel's waist. It was intimate and practiced in a way that told him it wasn't just alcohol. They were like sisters and it was jarring for a moment. This wasn't how Rachel was with her actual sister, not even close. He was concerned that delving too deeply into why would unsettle him, so he didn't.
"Enjoy" he smiled and headed for his car. Rachel pushed the door closed with a soft sigh. Charlotte pulled her closer, wrapping her other arm around her. Rachel closed her eyes and allowed her friend to comfort her.
"Fucking hate that guy" Charlotte whispered.
