Chapter 8: Help A Damsel In Distress

Charlotte spent the day going over Logan's files and assembled a team of interns to help her sort them out. The papers were all copies that someone had haphazardly tossed into their boxes, and she pitied the poor assistant who had to have done the work.

There were mentions of other foreign bank accounts, but those wouldn't go into the divorce agreement, so she filed those separately. It had been a while since she worked on a divorce case, and normally, she'd try to go for a swift and amicable agreement between the two parts. But it made her angry to think that Logan's wife had so much in her favor, and she had tossed it all overboard for someone who wasn't probably half the man Logan was.

It surprised her that she had thought of Logan in a positive light because she didn't really like him. He was conceited, too full of himself, and a scoundrel at heart.

Edward walked past her office after lunch and waved at her. She gave him a halfhearted wave in return and pretended to be submerged in the papers she was going over. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the disappointed look on his face before he went on his way.

What she really wanted to do was to go with him to the aquarium or for a ride in the countryside. She missed him terribly, and there was nothing she could do about it now. If she went to him, he'd think she was alright with his wedding. Outwardly, of course, she'd show the world that she was very excited for him and Mary. But Edward knew the truth, and she wasn't about to give up on him yet. She'd get the chance to let him think he lost her. But not yet.

When the workday was finally over, she headed down to the parking lot to go to the beauty salon. If she had to attend the engagement party, at least she would do so in style. She got into her car only to realize something was very wrong with it. No matter how many times she turned on the key, the engine seemed to be choking and refused to start.

"I can't believe this," she said to herself in frustration. Her appointment was at 5:30, and Linda, the hairdresser, was very strict about punctuality.

Charlotte stepped out of the car and thought about popping the hood, although she knew it'd be futile. She knew nothing about cars. Just as she stood there thinking about going into reception and asking to use the phone to call a cab, the purr of an engine she recognized filled the air.

"Is everything all right, Miss Astor?" Logan Hamilton said from inside his black Lamborghini.

"Yes, thank you," she said, giving him a tense and curt smile.

"I could hear your car dying from almost a mile away," he said. "The battery is probably dead. I can check it if you want."

Charlotte rolled her eyes at him.

"Thank you for the evaluation. I'm going to take a cab," she said, intending to get away as soon as she could. "I have to be somewhere in twenty minutes."

"Well, it's a fine day as any to help a damsel in distress. Get in," he ordered her.

"No, thank you," she said as she started walking towards the lobby.

Logan turned the car around and began to follow her.

"Charlie just took a break and probably won't be back in, let's say, fifteen minutes? So you'll be late by the time he gets back to let you use the phone," Logan said from inside his car.

"Thank you, again, Mr. Hamilton, for your unsolicited advice. I will help myself if you don't mind."

"Okay," he said, and he sped away towards the parking lot exit.

Maybe she was too harsh with him, Charlotte thought. But he was also taking their supposed working relationship a little too loosely. It was enough that he always seemed to be making fun of her or running into her during unfortunate situations.

When she got back to the building, she saw that Logan was right. She tried using the phone on her own, but she didn't know the extension to connect it for an outside call. Sighing with frustration, she went back outside only to find Logan's car right in front of the lobby.

He was clearly waiting for her, but he didn't lower the windows or acknowledge her in any way, and she couldn't see inside the car. She had ten minutes to get to the salon now, but her pride prevented her from tapping on Logan's car. She stood there, pretending to be waiting for a cab.

After a while, Logan finally lowered the car window.

"Miss Astor, you're going to be late," he said, smirking at her.

Charlotte scowled at him and got into the car.

"I really didn't need you to give me a ride," she said.

"Where to?" Logan said, ignoring what Charlotte had just said.

"Linda's Beauty Salon. It's on-"

"I know where it is," Logan said, accelerating as if someone was chasing them.

It took Charlotte a few seconds to adjust to how fast he went, especially when he swerved to pass other cars.

"Why do you drive so fast?!" she called out once the stoplight turned green and the car went from being still to moving at 60 mph.

"It pleases me," he said.

"Do you do everything that pleases you no matter how dangerous it is?"

"I try to." Logan smiled at her briefly and kept his eyes on the road.

They were at Linda's salon in exactly eight minutes. There was a free spot close by, and Logan parked the car there.

He got out and opened the door for Charlotte.

"Thank you," she said. "I'll let you know if there's anything I need from you for the case."

"You're very welcome, Miss Astor," he said.

Charlotte turned to head into the salon, expecting Logan to go back to his car. Instead, he followed her.

"Excuse me, what are you doing?" she said, once it was clear he intended to go into the salon with her.

"I thought I'd get a haircut since I'm already here."

"You need an appointment."

"Ha," was all he said as he opened the door and stepped inside.

The salon wasn't full, but the few hairdressers and clients that were going about their business all turned to stare at Logan.

Linda, who was in the midst of combing someone's hair, was the only one who paid him no mind.

Charlotte stepped inside too.

"Linda..."

"Charlotte," Linda said, glancing at her. "You're right on time."

Logan went up to the reception and spoke with the woman there. She looked just as flabbergasted as everyone.

"Is that Logan Hamilton?" whispered a teenager to another. The two were getting their nails done. Once the other confirmed that it was, in fact, Logan Hamilton, they turned to look at Charlotte up and down.

She really didn't want anyone to think she had something with him on a personal level.

Linda gave her client some final touches while Charlotte waited to see what Logan did, and then she gestured for Charlotte to take a seat on one of the empty chairs. The receptionist guided Logan upstairs, and he winked at Charlotte as he climbed the steps. She felt mortified when she realized that all the eyes in the room were now fixed on her instead of him.

"So, new beau?" Linda said as she combed through Charlotte's hair.

"NO!" Charlotte replied, a little too loud. She wanted to make sure everyone there heard it, though. "My law firm works with him. My car broke down, and he gave me a ride."

"Hmm," Linda said, though she didn't seem to really be listening.