“Deal.”
But five minutes turns into ten, then twenty. We don’t talk, just lie there, wrapped up in each other, pretending the outside world doesn’t exist.
When she finally does get up, I watch her move around my room, gathering her dress, her shoes, looking for her phone.
“I look like I got hit by a truck,” she mutters, catching sight of herself in the mirror.
“You look beautiful.”
“Liar.”
“True.” I sit up. “You want breakfast? Coffee?”
“I don’t have time.” She slips her dress on, struggling with the zipper. “Can you—”
I cross to her, zipping it slowly, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. “I wish you didn’t have to go.”
“Me too.” She turns, cupping my face. “Last night was—”
“Perfect.”
“Yeah.” A smile tugs at her lips. “It really was.”
“So, we’re doing this? For real?”
“For real.” She kisses me, quick and sweet. “But we have to be careful, Carter. No one can know yet.”
“I know.”
“I’m serious. If Mark finds out we’re still seeing each other—”
“He won’t. We’ll be smart.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “But I’m not giving you up. Not again.”
Her eyes soften. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go either.”
One more kiss, longer this time, deeper and then she’s gone, slipping out my front door with a final glance over her shoulder.
I stand in the empty hallway, grinning like an idiot.
We crossed the line. Gave in completely. And it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
Whatever comes next, we’ll face it together.
Starting right now.
Chapter Thirteen
Olivia
The whispers start small.
A glance that lingers too long in the hallway. A conversation that stops when I walk into a room. The way Derek grins at Carter during practice like he knows something the rest of the world doesn’t.
I tell myself it’s paranoia. That I’m imagining things because guilt has taken up permanent residence in my chest. But three days after Carter and I crossed every professional line I’ve ever drawn, the signs are impossible to ignore.
“Morning, Olivia.” Marcus nods as he passes my office, but there’s a knowing edge to his smile.
I force myself to return it. “Morning.”
