And maybe that's exactly what I need to focus on. Not the violence or the darkness, but the fact that he tried to stop his MC from going down a bad route. That he and his brother fought for what was right even when it cost them everything.
That's not a bad man. That's a fighter. A survivor.
"Thank you," I say again, because I don't know what else to say. "For everything. For last night, for tonight, for agreeing to breakfast even though I completely embarrassed myself with that whole date comment—"
"You didn't embarrass yourself," Carter says quietly. His eyes meet mine, and there's something in them I can't quite read. "You're fine, Alice. Better than fine."
The way he says my name does something to my chest. Something warm and dangerous and completely terrifying.
"I'll see you tomorrow," I manage. "Eight o'clock."
"Eight o'clock," he confirms.
Maya waves enthusiastically as Biscuit and I head for the door. "Bye, Ms. Alice! Bye, Biscuit!"
The cool evening air hits my face as we step outside, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Biscuit immediately starts pulling toward home, ready for dinner andprobably confused about why we stopped at the grill instead of just walking past like usual.
"I'm an idiot," I tell him as we walk. "A complete and total idiot who said the word 'date' to a man I barely know."
Biscuit doesn't comment, just keeps walking with his tail wagging because in his world, everything is good and nothing is complicated.
I wish I had that kind of simple optimism.
By the time we get home, my phone has three texts from Claire.
*You alive?*
*It's been an hour. Where are you?*
*ALICE MARIE PORTER IF YOU DON'T TEXT ME BACK IN THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES I'M CALLING THE POLICE*
I text back quickly: *Sorry! I'm fine. Was at Murphy's. Home now.*
Her response is immediate: *Murphy's? Why were you at Murphy's? Did something happen?*
I stare at my phone, trying to figure out how to explain this. *Remember the guy who saved me last night? I ran into him. Literally. Well, not literally. He was having dinner with his daughter.*
The dots appear and disappear several times before her response comes through: *And???*
*And we talked. And I invited him to breakfast tomorrow.*
*YOU WHAT*
*It's not like that! His daughter wants to see Biscuit again. It's just pancakes. Very public, very casual pancakes.*
*Uh huh. Sure. "Just pancakes." That's what they all say.*
*I hate you.*
*No you don't. You love me because I'm the only person who will tell you the truth, which is that this is AMAZING and you need to wear something cute tomorrow.*
I groan out loud, making Biscuit look at me with concern. *It's not a date!*
*You keep telling yourself that, babe. I'll be over at 7am to help you pick an outfit.*
*Claire, NO—*
*See you at 7! xoxo*
