I should have. I should have pushed him away, reminded him of all the reasons this is impossible, and walked out with my dignity intact.
Instead, I’d leaned in.
God help me, I’d leanedin.
My phone buzzes. I pull it out, dreading what I’ll find.
Carter:I’m sorry.
I stare at the message, cursor blinking in the reply box. What am I supposed to say?Don’t be?I wanted it too?Let’s pretend it never happened?
I type:Nothing to be sorry for. Nothing happened.
His response is immediate.
Carter:That’s the problem.
I close my eyes, head falling back against the seat. He’s right. That’s exactly the problem. Because now I know how close we came. Now I know what it would feel like to cross that line.
And worse, I know I want to do it again.
Another buzz.
Carter:For the record, I don’t regret almost kissing you. I regret getting interrupted.
Heat floods through me, dangerous and intoxicating. I should shut this down. Should remind him of every rule we’re breaking just by having this conversation.
Instead, I type:Me too.
The moment I hit send, I regret it. But it’s too late. The truth is out there, floating in the digital space between us, impossible to take back.
Three dots appear. Disappear. Appear again.
Carter:Dinner tomorrow? Just to talk. I promise to behave.
I laugh despite myself.Your promises aren’t very reassuring, Storm.
Carter:Fair. But I’m asking anyway.
The rain pounds against my windshield, turning the world outside into a blur. I should say no. Should tell him we need distance, not more time together.
But when I look down at my phone, my fingers betray me.
Fine. But somewhere public. And you’re REALLY buying this time.
Carter:Deal. See you tomorrow, Rivers.
See you tomorrow.
I set the phone down and start the engine, but I don’t pull out of the parking lot right away. Instead, I sit there in the rain, replaying the moment over and over in my head.
The way his hand felt on my waist. The heat in his eyes. The almost-kiss that’s somehow more intimate than if it had actually happened.
By the time I finally drive home, one thing is crystal clear:
I’m in serious trouble.
And the worst part? I don’t want to be saved.
