Page 38 of Mr. Principal

“Carter,” I said hesitantly, feeling so many emotions and not able to deal with even one. I was overwhelmed. “We’re friends. I don’t want to ruin that.”

“I love you too much to let that happen,” he said before kissing me again. This time he ran his hands down my arms and pulled me up against him so that his crotch was pressing against my thigh.

Against my better judgment, I moved against it. I wanted him. I wanted him more than I’d ever wanted a man.

Slowly, we undressed each other, and I’d welcomed Carter inside me that night again and again.

My mind snapped back to the present and I realized Carter was staring at me. I think he was also recalling that night and he slowly stroked my hand. The soft, innocent touch, sent goosebumps up my hands.

“I can’t talk about this now,” I said softly, avoiding his last question about love.

“When are you going to stop running from me, Dana?”

I took my hand away. “I’m not running, I just want to be sure. I’m tired of making the same mistakes, of choosing wrong, I need to make better decisions, not just for me, but for Meredith too.”

He was silent for a long time and he just studied me. His eyes were hard to read. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking now. He was closed off.

“I respect that,” he finally said. “Here, let me carry Meredith to your car for you.”

I hadn’t expected that change of subject. A lot had been left unsaid, but I was glad for a minor reprieve.

He effortlessly carried Meredith to my car and buckled her in. She slept through the entire process like I knew she would.

I stood outside of my car and Carter stood in front of me.

“Thanks for helping me out tonight.”

“No problem. I’ll do anything for you. Did you get the job?” he asked. I knew he was attempting to keep things light and I appreciated that.

I nodded. I’d aced the interview. I’d completely knocked it out the park. “It’s just temporary,” I said. “With the possibility of going full-time eventually.”

“That’s great,” he said genuinely looking happy for me. “What will you be doing?”

“I’m going to be an administrative assistant for a local government office.”

“Cool,” he said looking surprised. “Maybe they’ll let you put that marketing degree to some use.”

I smiled because he remembered my major. What didn’t he remember about me?

“It turns out that they need someone to work on their social media presence, so that’s going to be part of my new job, so I’ll get to learn a little bit about maybe digital marketing… I don’t know, at least I’ll learn how to use Twitter.”

“I don’t even have a Twitter account.”

“Nor do I,” I confessed and we both laughed.

Meredith stirred, and I looked at Carter apologetically.

“Let’s continue this conversation later, okay? I should get her home so she can eat and binge watch Netflix with me.”

“Good parenting right there.”

“I’m the best,” I said facetiously, and he laughed.

He then leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on my forehead.

“Be safe.”

He walked back in then, not even waiting for my response and I climbed into the car wondering if I’d done the right thing all those years back. I couldn’t undo the past, but God did I have regrets.