Carter picked Pete up and followed me into the living room.His eyes roamed over my cozy space, taking in the mismatched furniture and the walls covered in framed photos and artwork.
“I love it,” he said, turning to me with a tender smile.“It's warm and inviting, just like you.”
He sat on my worn couch, Pete curled up contentedly in his lap.He looked relaxed, gentle, almost vulnerable.This new version of my demanding boss was almost surreal, and I was utterly captivated.
“You know,” I said, settling into the armchair across from him, “I never would have figured you for a dog person.”
Carter smiled smugly as he stroked Pete's head.“There's a lot you don't know about me, Sunny.”
The nickname made my stomach warm and fluttery.I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees.“Why is that?Why don't you let more people see this side of you?”
His hand stilled on Pete's fur, and a flicker of something crossed his face.He was quiet for a few moments, eyes fixed on some distant point.
“It's not easy for me,” he finally said.“Letting people in, I mean.”
I waited, giving him space to continue if he wanted to.After a few seconds, he met my gaze.
“I lost my mother when I was young.She was sick for a long time.I watched her suffer, watched how it tore my father apart.After she died, he...changed.Became cold, distant.I learned pretty quickly that caring too much only leads to pain.”
I wanted to reach out, to offer some comfort, but I held back, sensing he needed to get this out.
“So I built walls.Focused on my work, on being the best.It was safer that way.Easier.”
“But lonely,” I said softly.
Carter gave a pained smile and resumed stroking Pete’s head.“Yeah.Lonely.”
I took a chance then, moving to sit beside him on the couch.“Thank you for being so open with me,” I said, placing my hand on his arm.“I'm glad that you trust me enough to let me see this side of you.”
Carter's eyes met mine, he looked more vulnerable than I’d ever seen him.My skin buzzed as I realized how close we were sitting.
“You make it easy,” he said.
I fought to ignore the heat where our bodies touched.“I want you to feel comfortable with me.”
His hand found mine, his thumb tracing circles on my palm.The simple touch set my entire body on fire.
“I've never felt this way about anyone before.It scares the hell out of me.”
Instead of answering with words, I closed the distance between us, pressing my lips to his.The kiss was soft and tentative at first, but Carter quickly deepened it.When I pulled back, I saw his eyes were open and warm in a way they’d never been before.But doubt crept in, whispering old insecurities.
“Are you sure you want to do this?With me?”
He cupped my face, his thumb tracing my cheekbone.“I've never been more sure of anything in my life.”
I wanted to believe him so badly.I inhaled slowly and forced my hands to unclench.He’d been vulnerable with me, he deserved the same in return.
“I need to tell you something.About my marriage.About why it failed.”
Carter's frowned, but he nodded, encouraging me to continue.
“Ethan and I,”—my throat constricted, and I struggled to force out the words—”we were high school sweethearts.Everyone thought we were perfect together.And we were, at first.”
Carter wordlessly took my hand and held it in both of his.
I paused, gnawing at my lip.What if he looked at me differently once he knew the truth?
“We always talked about having kids.After we got married, he was ready to start trying right away.But it just wasn't happening.We saw doctors, ran tests.They didn’t find anything wrong, but still, no baby.So, I started fertility treatments.”I closed my eyes, remembering the endless doctor's appointments, the hormones, the needles, the endless cycle of hope and disappointed.“It was grueling, but finally, I got pregnant.”
