Page 81 of A Forever Love
“Leaving? I’ve had you for less than a day, mittens. Where would I go?” For some reason, her unwarranted concern makes me upset. “Don’t you know me? I don’t like hiding this.” I motion between us. “I don’t like hiding us.”
Relief floods her features, but then she anxiously bites her lip. “I don’t know how Dad will react, Carter.”
I grab a handful of my hair and clench it tightly. “I have a pretty good idea.” I don’t tell her that Keith will probably want to rip out my throat. The day he designated me as Merida’s babysitter, it wasn’t because he imagined her someday re-introducing me as the guy who’s fallen head over heels for his daughter.
Merida lays her hand over mine, where it’s gripping the edge of the counter. “Just so you know, I don’t like lying to them either. Maybe I’ll talk to Clem first.”
“I’m not going to stop you from doing anything. But I want to be the one telling Keith that I’m with you.” My thumb lightly glides over her face, smoothing out the frown lines on her forehead. Her lips twitch, abbreviating my own anxiety a little.
“Did you do this with all your previous girlfriends?” She tilts her head toward the latte cup.
I tuck one of her red curls behind her ear. “Never had anyone I really loved, mittens.”
“Really?” Her eyebrows rise to a concerning degree. Every time I’ve mentioned the word ‘love,’ a mix of surprise and apprehension has danced across her face. I thought Merida was past her fear of love. Does she still think she’s cursed and unlovable?
No, that can’t be right.
“Should I be concerned that you’re taking so much time to answer my question?” Thankfully, her grin returns.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about, baby.” I plant a kiss on her forehead before handing her the cup. “Drink before it gets cold, and I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
I return to my apartment, wasting no time before hopping into the shower. Once I’m dressed, I stride back to Merida’s place. She’s on the balcony, waving the feather toy before Miss Sparkles, and there’s a book resting on her table next to her half-empty latte glass.
Merida’s eyes meet mine, and before we can exchange any words, the doorbell chimes. A hint of nervousness flickers in her gaze as she rises and makes her way to the front door. I follow her, for the first time ever, consciously maintaining a safe distance between us.
“Dad. Clem.” They share warm hugs before Merida’s eyes lock onto the enormous bundle of balloons in Keith’s hands. “What’s that?”
“It’s an early birthday surprise,” Keith declares with a wide grin.
“What?” She can hardly stifle her gasp.
As much as I used to hate the way Keith ignored Merida on her birthday for years because the day clashed with the death of his beloved first wife, he has since given Mere amazing memories to compensate for their lost time. I’m sure he must have something extraordinary planned for her, given it’s her first birthday since returning home.
“We’re here to kidnap you.” Clem grins, opening a pink box from Hawthorne Bakery and gently shoving half a pink cupcake into Merida’s mouth.
“What? Why?”
I step back, leaning against the doorframe, observing as Clem fusses over Merida. For the first time in my life, I wish I weren’t on the sidelines but in the center, holding Mere close to me as her parents share their plans for her birthday.
“Carter, we’ll see you tomorrow, right?” Keith asks.
I had wanted to have more time with Merida, not have her whisked away by her parents just hours after we made love for the first time. But I know they all need each other tomorrow. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“But, Dad, I need to be back for work tomorrow.”
“You don’t,” Clem says. “I already checked with Kristy, and she said even interns can take a day off.”
“Clem! You cannot do that!” Merida groans. “That’s highly unprofessional.”
“Yeah, I knew you would say something like that, but it’s only for a day. You can return tomorrow night after the party.”
“I can drive you back,” I offer, hoping not to sound too impatient.
“That’s great, but in case you’re busy, Mere might find other company too.” The way Keith’s lip twitches doesn’t sit right with me. Does he suspect something? I quickly look around the room and find nothing that could make him suspicious.
Once Mere and Clem are out of earshot, Keith pulls me to the side. “Sorry for sounding ambiguous. I was hinting toward a surprise I have planned for Mere. I’ve invited her friend, Brandon. You might remember him?” He doesn’t wait for me to confirm. “I think there’s something going on between him and Mere.”
His words strike me like a lash, and my entire world begins to spin. It’s not that I believe him, because when Mere said Brandon is just a friend, I believed her. But then why does Keith think otherwise?