AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nearly exploded. I couldn't have this conversation yet, although he would probably understand better than anyone about the age gap. His wife was nineteen years his junior when they got together. They'd started seeing each other when she was around Blue's age. A smirk of a smile danced across my lips as I rehashed the conversation at their wedding dinner. Carter was grinning like a goddamn clown doped up on helium as a very pregnant Brooklyn stood beside him. At the time, I couldn't even fathom the idea of dating someone that much younger than me until Blue showed up for summer vacation with her curves on display in that sexy bikini.
I stood quickly and went to my fridge, pretending to look for something to hide my discomfort. It wasn't the years that I was worried about with Carter. It was the connection to Ashley. Big age differences weren't unheard of, but I couldn't predict how anyone would react to the woman I loved being my daughter's lifelong best friend.
"Who says there has to be a girl?" I asked, my voice gruff and low. "Maybe I just got tired of walking around smelling like shit with dirty, greasy hair."
“Doubt it.” He followed me into the kitchen and lingered in the doorway. “Is Blue here with you?”
The bottle of beer I grabbed from the shelf slipped out of my hands when he said her name. Fuck.
“Yeah, she’s out right now. You know she loves the beach and stuff….” I let my words trail off, hoping the conversation about my love life and Blue would end. He eventually changed the subject, and we continued talking. The conversation remained civil, focusing on the construction business and Carter’s father, who he hated more than anything. His phone dinged, and he rose from the kitchen chair.
“Someone needs saving?” I said as I took a sip of my beer.
“Next time I call you, answer the damn phone,” he said as he started toward the front door. He stopped right before reaching for the handle and met my gaze. “Do me a favor and keep your door unlocked.”
I combed my fingers down my face and let out a heavy breath. “Why” I demanded as I watched him power down the front steps.
“Trust me.”
He winked and climbed into the back seat of his car. Of course, he had his driver sitting out there waiting for him. At least the guy probably got paid a small fortune for it.
I closed the door once his car disappeared down the street and checked the time on my phone. Shit.
It was less than an hour until I told Blue I'd have dinner ready, and I still hadn't made it to the store. There was no way I would have something ready in time, and Chinese food wasn't something my taste buds were craving. I guess I would just have to wing it.
