As the group began gathering their things, I felt a twinge of disappointment.I wasn't ready for the evening to end, for this bubble of warmth and belonging to burst.
We spilled out onto the sidewalk, the cool night air a refreshing contrast to the stuffy bar.Emmett and Callie headed off in one direction, while Wick lingered, his eyes darting between Carter and me.I swayed slightly, and a strong hand steadied me.I looked up to find Carter at my elbow.“Whoa there,” he cautioned playfully.
“You good to get home, Liv?”Wick asked.
I nodded, fishing my keys out of my purse.“I'll be fine.I only had the one cider.I just got a little lightheaded standing up.”
Carter's hand remained on my elbow, a solid warmth that sent tingles up my arm.“I can give you a ride home,” he offered.
“Really, I’m fine.”
Wick’s phone rang, and he pulled it out of his pocket.“Shit, it’s Meg.I was supposed to be home an hour ago.”
“Uh oh,” I singsonged.“Someone’s in trouble.”
“You got this?”Wick asked Carter.When he nodded, Wick answered his phone and hurried off toward his car.
“I presume I’m the ‘this’ that you’ve ‘got?’”
“Yep.You sure you’re okay to drive?”
“Yes,Dad.”
“Can I at least walk you to your car?”
I glanced up, taking in the concern etched across his handsome features.A dangerous warmth bloomed in my stomach.“I suppose.”
We fell into step together, the air between us charged with an unfamiliar tension.
“So,” I said, desperate to break the silence.“Cider, huh?I never would have pegged you for a cider guy.”
“I'm full of surprises.”
“Clearly.”We reached my car, and I fumbled with my keys, suddenly reluctant to say goodbye.“Thanks for walking me.And for...everything, really.I appreciate your patience while I’m still learning the ropes.”
Carter's eyes met mine, their steely gray was almost silver in the dim streetlight.“You're doing fine, Olivia.Better than fine, actually.Usually I’m itching to fire my assistant by this point.”
“Thank you,” I said softly.“That means a lot, coming from you.”
There was a long pause.This had all the makings ofa moment,but neither of us knew what to do with it.Then fate intervened.A sudden gust of wind had hair whipping in my face.
Carter reached out and tucked a strand behind my ear, his fingers lingering for a moment.The simple touch sent a shiver down my spine.
“You should get home,” Carter said, dropping his hand.“It's late.”
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
He cleared his throat, taking a step back.“Well, goodnight then.Drive safe.”
“Goodnight, Carter.”
As I watched him walk away, his broad shoulders silhouetted in the streetlight, I felt a pang of longing.There was so much more I wanted to say, so many questions I wanted to ask.But I pushed the feelings down.What did it matter anyway?Surely I wasn’t Carter Cassidy’s type.
I climbed into my car, the leather seat cool against my skin.By the time I pulled into my driveway, I was a jumble of conflicting emotions.Pete greeted me at the door, his whole body vibrating with excitement.I scooped him up, nuzzling my face in his fur.
“Oh, Pete.I think I'm in trouble.”
As I went through my nightly routine—filling Pete's water bowl, washing my face, changing into comfy pajamas—my mind kept returning to the bar.To the easy laughter, the companionship.To Carter's knee pressed against mine, his steadying hand on my arm.
