I caught Meghan's eye across the club and waved at her with my free hand.She lifted her glass and shot me a wink.
We burst through a side door into the night air.The sudden quiet was almost deafening.Carter’s eyes searched mine.
“Olivia, I—” he began, then stopped, one hand clutching at the back of his neck.“I'm not good at this.”
For a moment, we stood there with only the taut sizzling tension for company.Then he cupped my face and kissed me.
His lips crashed into mine as if he'd had been holding back for ages.I tangled my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer.His answering grip on my waist was tight and demanding.
We broke apart, both breathless, and I searched his face.His eyes were a maelstrom of desire and mounting panic.“I shouldn't have done that,” he said, but he didn't let go of me.
“Why not?”
He sighed, his forehead coming to rest against mine.I could almost see the internal battle raging behind his furrowed brow.“I should get you home,” he groaned, his breath warm on my skin.
The words hit me like a bucket of ice water.My mind flew into overdrive, replaying every second of our kiss, searching for where I'd gone wrong.
Of course he regretted it.How could I have been so stupid?I was his employee, damaged goods with more baggage than a luggage carousel.Carter was successful, brilliant, gorgeous—he could have anyone he wanted.Why would he ever choose me?
I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly aware of how revealing my dress was.“It's okay,” I mumbled, unable to meet his eyes.“I get it.It was a mistake.”
Hope.That was the mistake.I'd let myself believe for one fleeting moment that someone like Carter could want me.But reality has a way of crashing back in.
“Olivia.”Carter reached for me, but I stepped back.
“Please don't,” I whispered, hating how small my voice sounded.“I know I'm not...I'm not what you want.It's fine.”My forced smile was more of a grimace.“I should go back inside.”
I turned to leave, my face burning with humiliation.How was I supposed to face him at work tomorrow?Maybe it was time to should start looking for a new job.I couldn't bear the thought of seeing him every day, knowing he'd kissed me out of some misplaced sense of obligation or worse, pity.
I was about to reach for the door handle when Carter's hand closed around my wrist.“Wait,” he said, his grip gentle but firm.“You misunderstand.I should get you home before I kiss you again, right here in this alley for anyone who walks by to see.Now let's get in the car so I can take you home where Pete is undoubtedly waiting for you.And then I can kiss youeverywhere.”
“Oh.”Oh!
“Yeah, 'oh.'So, are you ready to go, Sunny?”
“Sunny?”I echoed, wrinkling my forehead.
“Yeah.Sunny,” he said, his thumb tracing circles on my wrist.“You're my bright spot.”
* * *
As we pulledup to my house, I felt a twinge of embarrassment.My little bungalow looked so modest compared to Carter's grand mansion in German Village.
“This is me,” I said, gesturing to the yellow house with a small porch.“It's not much, but?—”
“It's perfect.It suits you.”
I smiled, and my anxiety eased a little.We got out of the car and walked up the short path to my front door.As I fumbled with my keys, I heard the familiar sound of paws scrabbling against the hardwood floor.
“Fair warning, Pete's going to be very excited to see us.”
I opened the door, and Pete burst out, his whole body wriggling with joy.To my surprise, Carter immediately kneeled down, letting Pete lick his face and hands.
“Hey, buddy!”he said in a gooey voice I’d never heard.“Did you miss us?Yeah, I bet you did.”
I watched in amazement as he scratched behind Pete's ears, completely at ease with my furry companion.My heart was at serious risk of bursting.
“Come on in,” I said, ushering them both inside.“Make yourself at home.”
