I’m being engulfed by Carlisle, hands shaking, everyone congratulating.

“Matt! Now’s the time for champagne.”

Someone is bringing back the bottle I made them remove earlier.

Charlotte hangs back, and it isn’t until everyone in the room has had their say that she steps forward, her voice betraying nothing.

“You’re this close to being president, Matt,” she says, showing me with her little fingers.

I smile and think to myself, Not as close as I was to telling you I loved you back.

She’s the last to hug me, and when I pull her small frame into my arms, she pulls back hastily; Charlotte making sure I hugged her for the same length of time I hugged each of the others.

It’s not enough.

I hug her with my damn eyes as she lets go. She gathers her things and tucks a glorious strand of red hair behind her ear, and then walks away.

I’ve never been so aware of the price I paid for my victory.