Page 18 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

CHAPTER 7

Gage had never claimed to be the coolest cat on the block, but he definitely lost some of his mojo every time Carly was near. Had he really just come right out and asked if she was dating anyone? And was it possible she was buying into his cool façade?

Carly had frozen in place, a ketchup-dipped fry hovering between her plate and her lips.

Maybe he should say something else. “I, um, just think that ifIwere dating you, I’d want a guy to ask before he tried making any moves.”Shut. Up. Gage!

Carly’s eyes went wide. A smile pulled at both corners of her mouth, revealing that dimple in her cheek. His pulse revved.

“You’re thinking aboutmaking a move?” Her tone was playful.

He hadn’t taken a bite of his jalapeno burger yet, but already heat was rising off the top of his head. “That’s notexactlywhat I meant to say.” He snatched his glass and sucked down half of his drink in one long gulp.

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” she said.

Relief washed over him.Yes! Now shut up and don’t ruin it.

“Iwasin a relationship a long time ago.” Carly dipped another fry and brought it to her lips.

“Was it serious?” He took a bite of his burger. It was delicious, his taste buds were aware of that fact, but the other ninety-nine percent of him was enjoying the taste of potential. Carly was available. And it seemed as if she were warming up to him already.

“Yeah, it was. But he’s not able to commit, I guess. I mean, Iwantedhim to and he said he wanted to, but he never could so…” She shrugged, reached for another fry, and dunked it.

Gage got stuck on what she’d said. “Nevercould, or neverwould?”

“What was that?” Carly asked.

He probably shouldn’t challenge her on it—heck, she’d said herself it was a long time ago. But still, he wanted to know. “You said that hecouldn’tcommit, which I found interesting, since making a commitment is something most of us are capable of. It’s just a matter of whether we will or we won’t.”

Carly held his gaze. Gage’s pulse spiked as he waited for her reply. He sensed—by the small crease in her forehead— that she was angry, but as she tipped her chin up, seeming to consider what he’d said, she nodded softly.

Gage leaned in, his chest tightening as he held his breath, unwilling to miss a thing.

At last, she straightened and sighed. “I guess you’re right,” she said. “Mostly.”

The satisfaction he felt at her reply vanished as she added that last part. “Why mostly?” And just why did he care?

“Mostly, because sometimes things happen to us in life. Things that make it hard to do anything but…but try to fix ourselves.”

The energy at the table shifted. Gone was the magnetic vibe filled with all the chemistry and hope of a high school prom.In its place were hints of something so dark and deep he didn’t know how to proceed. He’d thought earlier that Carly had a Mona Lisa smile, a secret hidden behind her hard-to-read grin. The sadness in the ocean depths of her eyes promised that very thing.

She pulled her gaze from his, glanced toward the view at their side, then looked down at her plate. “Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t really want to go there.”

Gage wasn’t exactly surewhereshe had gone, but it was definitelysomeplace.

“Can I get either of you another drink?” The waiter was back, an empty tray tucked beneath his arm.

“Yes,” Gage blurted. “We’ll both take a refill. Thank you.”

Carly picked up her burger with both hands and inspected it for a blink. A smile brightened her face. It didn’t exactly put those dimples into action, but it was convincing enough. “I want you to take a bite of this,” she said. “It’s seriously a life changer.” She took an impressive bite of it then, smiling as she dabbed her lips with a napkin.

Christian’s word suddenly shot back to his mind.“Carly’s been through a lot.”It seemed that she had. But she was adjusting too. It was plain to see that whatever she’d been through hadn’t held her back too much. And there were those dimples, sinking right into her cheeks as she reached for her drink.

She took a few pulls of her straw before speaking. “I might have bit off a little more than I could chew, but now it’s your turn.”

“Okay,” he agreed, sliding his plate toward hers. “But only if you try mine.”

“I’m not a fan of spicy food.”