Page 46 of A Forever Love
Carter: I’ll pick you up. Shoot me a text when you’re ready to leave.
Me: I drove my own car.
I’m typing again when his next message comes through.
Carter: Why? I waited for you.
I struggle with my response, typing and erasing several times until Carter takes the decision out of my hands.
Carter: Fine. I’ll see you at home.
I can’t help but trace the last word on the screen with my finger. As a teen, I used to imagine a home, his and mine. My heart ricochets against my rib cage as I bury those dark feelings.
What will it take to get over this man?
* * *
The elevator door opens, and I find Carter casually leaning against his door, his gaze fixed on mine while two brown grocery bags rest by his feet. My heart quickens its pace at the sight of him dressed impeccably in a black suit and crisp white shirt. The elevator’s chime catches his attention, causing him to straighten and turn toward me.
His dimpled smile greets me like an old friend, comforting.
Somehow, Clem’s words hit me unexpectedly. Was my attempt at out of sight, out of mind doomed to fail? Has the distance between us only made me weaker for Carter?
“Are you planning to step out of that elevator?” He quirks an eyebrow, his voice low and teasing.
I step forward, taking a deep breath. Just be yourself, Mere.
“Did you misplace your key?” I gesture at his door.
He shakes his head, something darker playing behind the amusement in his eyes. “I didn’t want to miss you like I did this morning. You seem to have mastered the art of hiding.”
“Irony doesn’t suit you well, King.”
“I don’t agree with that. If I remember correctly, you were the one who used to say that everything suits me.” He throws me a grin, and I can’t help but reply with my own.
“That was when I was sixteen.”
“You were much easier to impress back then.”
“Is all of this an attempt to impress me?” I glance at the grocery bags before unlocking my apartment door.
“Maybe.” Carter follows me inside and places the bags on the kitchen counter. “I’m hoping food still puts you in a good mood, foodie.”
“Foodie?” I let out an exasperated squeal as I slip off my jacket. “You really think I maintain this figure by being a foodie?” I give a playful twirl, delighted by the way my circle skirt sways. “I count each portion that goes into this mouth and measure myself every single morning. If the needle on that scale even moves a fraction to the right, I make sure to balance it out by skipping my morning latte.”
“Why?” Carter’s gaze sweeps over me from head to feet, and I feel an urge to curl my toes in my shoes.
“What?” I look away from his piercing eyes.
“Why would you do that?” he asks genuinely. “There’s no one more perfect than you, mittens, and that has nothing to do with what the scale says but with who you are inside here.” He taps a finger gently over his heart, and that simple gesture tugs at my heartstrings.
“Did you take classes on being charming? Because I don’t remember you like this.”
He grins. “What I said is just the truth. But I’m glad you find me charming right now, because I’m here to discuss Shawn Hades.” Carter arranges the vegetables on the counter and picks up a knife. “Why didn’t you tell me he accosted you?”
“He didn’t exactly accost me. We bumped into each other at the café, and for a moment, I thought it might have been a coincidence. But then…he played an audio recording of your conversation with someone.” My fingers toy with my braid. I’m so conflicted right now, torn between wanting to know and not about Carter’s girlfriend, who has suddenly gathered the attention of so many people. “I’m assuming he met you too.”
Carter shakes his head. “Not exactly. He sent me an audio clip of your conversation with him.”