I opened and closed my mouth soundlessly, groping for a coherent response.“I'm fine,” I said, cringing at how unconvincing I sounded.“Sorry, I was...thinking.”
“About what?You look like you've seen a ghost.”
“It's nothing,” I said, summoning one of those fake smiles I always scoldedherfor.“Let's get back to dinner.”
We made our way back to the table.I pulled out Olivia's chair for her but then second-guessed myself.Was that too much?Too chivalrous?Does she think I'm trying too hard?
Blair raised an eyebrow at me as I sat down.“Everything alright, Carter?You look a bit off.”
“I'm great,” I said, my voice coming out higher than usual.“Never better.”
I caught Mel's eye, and she gave me a pointed look.I knew she was telling me to relax.But how could I relax when every fiber of my being was screaming that I was in love with the woman sitting next to me?
It seemed Blair wasn't going to let me relax either.She leaned forward with an evil glint in her eye.“So, Carter, how's it feel to be whipped?”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, come on”—she gestured between Olivia and me—“you're practically glowing.It's disgustingly adorable.”
I pretended to study the menu.“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Please,” Blair scoffed.“You, Mr.I-Don't-Do-Relationships, are sitting here making googly eyes at Miss Olivia.It's like watching a real-life romcom.”
I desperately wanted to look at Olivia, to gauge her reaction, but I was afraid of what I might see.
“Blair,” Mel warned, but her wife was on a roll.
“Remember when you said you'd never bring a date to one of our dinners?”she continued, her grin widening.“And yet, here we are.I think hell might have frozen over.”
I gripped my menu tighter, willing myself to stay calm.“Things change.”
“They certainly do,” Blair agreed, her tone dripping with amusement.“Next thing we know, you'll be picking out china patterns and discussing baby names.”
Olivia nearly choked on her wine.
Mel swooped in like a guardian angel, redirecting the conversation.“So, Olivia, what did you do before you started working for Carter?”
I flashed her a look of pure gratitude while Blair's lips curled into a disappointed pout.
* * *
“That was so much fun!”
A more-than-a-little-buzzed Olivia clung to my arm as we waited for the valet to bring the car around.
“I just love them.Don't you love them?”
Fuck, she's using the wordlovea lot.
“We should do that again soon.”
I nodded, trying to keep my composure.Her infectious enthusiasm was hard to resist, but the L-word kept ringing in my ears.
“Yeah, they're great,” I managed, my voice gruff.
The valet pulled up with my car, and I helped Olivia into the passenger seat.As I slid behind the wheel, she turned to me, her eyes shining.
“I'm so glad you invited me tonight.It means a lot to me.”
