Since Joelle was also attending the black-tie dinner, she offered to arrange for the same make-up and hair stylist that she used to visit Charlotte the same day. Alexei told her to do it, and not worry about the expense. It still made Charlotte feel a little funny, accepting such expensive favors from Alexei, but he insisted and she could admit that she enjoyed being spoiled. It was such a novel experience. So she allowed it, this one time.
The day of the event, a Sunday, Zoe watched with wide eyes and a grin as her mom was made over to look like a princess.
"You look just like Ariel, Mommy."
Charlotte grinned at her daughter, where she was perched on the couch with Sarah, who'd agreed to babysit for the evening. "Do you think so?"
"Better." Sarah winked and patted Zoe's back. "You want me to do your hair, Gremlin?"
Zoe bounced up and down and clapped her hands. "Yes! I want to look like Mommy."
"You're well on your way, my dear." Sarah smacked a kiss on top of Zoe's red head, so like Charlotte's own. "Now sit tight, and I'll get supplies."
Charlotte pointed at Zoe's bathroom. "There's a basket under the sink with all her stuff."
"Got it."
The hair stylist and make-up artist, Jane, finished in another few minutes with Charlotte's hair. "Now, what sort of look do you want for your face?" As she spoke, she popped open a large plastic box full of creams, powders, and color palettes that made Charlotte gape. The most make-up she wore these days was a bit of concealer, mascara, and lip gloss. Since this woman's business was traveling to people's homes to make them over for events or photo shoots, she had a shade for everything.
"I don't know." Charlotte touched her cheek. "What do you suggest?"
"Well, it's black tie, right?" Jane lifted out a few containers and set them on the kitchen table beside them. "I'd say let's go with something really dramatic. I can do some smoky eyes and with your coloring, a deep lip color and dark shadow would really make your eyes pop."
Charlotte shrugged. "You're the expert. Let's do it."
Zoe continued to watch, entranced as Jane flicked her brushes and wands over Charlotte's face. Sarah had no trouble taming Zoe's locks since the little girl was so preoccupied.
"When is Alexei picking you up?" Sarah asked as she popped another barrette into Zoe's hair, tucking her bangs out of her eyes.
Charlotte snorted out a laugh. "Picking me up? He's downstairs."
"Yeah, well, he's not here so I assumed he'd insisted on picking you up, like a proper date and everything." Sarah picked up the brush and shot Charlotte a wink before working the brush through the ends of Zoe's hair. "Didn't you say you were sharing a limo with your friends, Olle and Joelle?"
"We are." Charlotte closed her eyes and held still as Jane continued to work. When she could speak again, she lifted her phone from the table to check the time. "The only reason he's not here getting ready is because they all had a team meeting after lunch."
"I see. So he's pretty much moved in then?"
"What?" Charlotte laughed. "Of course not."
"Oh please." Sarah scoffed and cupped Zoe's slender shoulders before leaning forward to look into the little girl's face. "Does Grumpy have dinner with you every night? And breakfast every morning?"
Zoe nodded, turning a grin up to her 'Auntie' Sarah. "Oh yeah. Every night he's not playing a game."
"Right. And he picks you up from daycare every so often, right?"
Zoe nodded again. "Yeah. He's the only person besides Mommy who's allowed to."
Charlotte narrowed her eyes at her friend. "So? We're spending a lot of time together. Doesn't mean we're living together."
"Gremlin, can you do me a favor and go run and count how many shirts and pants Alexei has in the closet?"
With her usual enthusiasm, Zoe vaulted to the floor with a thud and dashed into the master bedroom. From there, she shouted her findings, making all three women laugh.
"There's so many! Like a hundred shirts and ten pants, at least!" She bolted back out and onto the couch, high fiving Sarah's outstretched hand. "And his shoes are in the closet over there too." She pointed to the front hall closet as she clambered back to her position in front of Sarah to finish getting her hair done.
Charlotte made a noise in the back of her throat at Sarah's pointed look. "He still rents his place downstairs. That means we're not living together."
It was Jane who laughed in response. She patted Charlotte's shoulder. "Sorry, sweetheart. He's moved in and you're stuck with him now."
"Stuck with who?" Alexei asked as he swept in the door, already dressed in his tuxedo.
Silence greeted his entrance as they all took him in. Charlotte was pretty sure she swallowed her tongue at the sight of him ready for this event. His suit had to be custom made to fit his broad shape and his hair was freshly cut. Charlotte's fingers itched to slide through it.
Jane's hand on her shoulder tightened for a second and it was Zoe who broke the stunned silence.
"Grumpy." She sounded shocked beyond belief. "You look like a prince."
"Do I?" He ran a palm down the front of his black dinner jacket. "Is that good?"
Four heads nodded in response.
"Then it's a good thing I brought you something to make you a princess." He held up the bag in his hand and Zoe jumped up with an excited cry. She bolted right into his arms and squeezed him tight around the neck.
Jane made a sound and Charlotte tore her gaze away from Alexei to look up at the woman. She was clutching a hand to her chest, her eyes soft as she took in the genuine affection between the man and the little girl.
"Can I put it on now?" Zoe grasped the bag as Alexei set her back on her feet. "Mommy? Can I?"
"Of course, sweetheart."
She squealed in excitement and bolted to her room, where she proceeded to throw her clothes off without closing the door behind her. Sarah stood with a laugh and went to help her.
Charlotte looked up as Alexei moved to stand in front of her. "You look--"
He gave her a wicked grin that made her heart skip around in her chest. "Like a prince?"
