Page 48 of Pretend it’s Forever

“I’m sure the family would love seeing that happen. Isabella, however, would do all in her power to keep Cage Lake in the top spot. She’s slightly competitive.”

“So says the principal ballet dancer.”

“Well, she is even more so than me. Just saying.”

“Good to know.”

“So your family, you have your sister Cora, right?”

He stared at me for a moment, as if I had crossed a line, and maybe I had. But he seemed to know so much about me, and I barely knew anything about him.

“Yes, Cora is ten years younger, getting married soon. In fact, she keeps pestering me to bring a date.”

I smiled softly.

“Oh really?”

“Well, I suppose bringing a date to the wedding is expected for most people. But I want to bring someone who knows that there will never be a promise. Someone that understands. I don’t want what my sister has. She and Juliet are perfect for each other, and that’s great, but I’ve seen the other side of things. Just like you have.”

My heart shuddered, and I knew he was telling the truth, so why did I feel so disappointed?

“My parents are still alive. But they’re terrible people who don’t understand that my sister loves another woman. Nor did they understand that I don’t want to be part of their business. My father and your father were friends for a reason.”

I leaned into him and squeezed his hand. When he tangled his fingers with mine, his thumb rubbing my palm, I didn’t even think he’d realized he had done it.

“You’re a good big brother.”

“I try to be. You should come with me.”

I frowned, trying to meet his gaze.

“To where?”

“To the wedding. You would like Cora. And I like seeing you in dresses.”

I didn’t say anything, as I watched the sun glisten over the water, and realized that neither one of us knew what we were doing. But I did not want forever either, I reminded myself. I had thought I had once, and it had nearly broken me. So maybe this was the best case scenario.

“I can go. For your sister. She needs all the people that she can get in her corner for sure.”

“Good.” His eyes darkened, and then he leaned down and nipped at my lip.

“Carson.”

“We’re both adults. We can say no, but if you want me for this? To be your friend? Then I’m here.”

I swallowed hard, need warring with reality, and yet, this was exactly what I had wanted. Carson, but on our own terms. No forevers.

I nodded, and then he smiled before kissing me softly and standing up.

“I made a chicken Caesar salad on a baguette, and I have that sparkling water you like. The flavored stuff. You should eat.”

“How…how did you know that’s one of my favorite sandwiches?”

“I told you, Sophia. I pay attention.”

And then I found myself eating my favorite sandwich, with my favorite drink, wondering how he could continue to do this without asking for a single thing in return. And what did I give him?

Worry? My body? I could give him that freely. But it wasn’t enough. Because he never said a damn thing about what he needed. Nor did I know what I would give if he truly spoke his feelings.