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“So, the food is good, huh?” Dad says awkwardly. I look up at him and try my best to smile, but I fail miserably.
Carter grins and nods. “Yes, almost as good as the food I had last night,” he says, smiling. “Now, that was delicious.”
I look up at him and lock my jaws angrily. My mind automatically takes me back to him describing how he’d go down on me, before he told me he did just that to Layla instead.
“Oh, what did you eat?” I ask, my voice monotone. I must be a sucker for punishment. Why the hell can’t I just keep my mouth shut?
Carter smiles and describes some mashed potato dish that sounds straight up weird, and I nod politely. “Well, that’s nice for you, that you got Layla to cook for you. Sounds great,” I say, trying my best to sound unaffected.
Carter smirks and takes another bite of his food while Dad smiles down at his plate. I’m acting jealous and it’s showing, and I hate that I can’t control my reaction.
Carter yawns just as we finish up dinner, and I involuntarily glare at him. “Looks like you didn’t get much sleep last night,” I say through gritted teeth, unable to help myself.
“No, barely slept a wink. Kept getting distracted by the view,” Carter says, grinning.
My heart jerks painfully and I blanch. I look down at my plate, stricken. My stomach twists with jealousy and I bite down on my lip to reel it in.
I rise from my seat the second Carter takes his last bite and I grab all of our plates, taking them to the kitchen with me. I dump them in the sink and rinse them angrily, needing an outlet for all the anguish I’m feeling. I know the staff will take care of this if I just leave it in the sink, but I need something to do. I sigh and shake my head. I should be happy for him, but I’m just not. I can’t be.
I drop my head against the kitchen counter as soon as I’m done. I’m losing it. It hurts so much more than I thought it would.
I inhale deeply and brace myself before walking back into the dining room, only to find it empty. The veranda sliding doors are open, the curtains moving with the breeze. I hesitate slightly before walking onto the veranda, my eyes finding Carter instantly.
He’s sitting on the swing, a glass of whiskey in his hands. He looks up at me, and my heart skips a beat. This man… no one has ever been able to make me feel so much with a single look.
I walk towards him and take his glass from him. I take a sip before putting his glass down. I sit down next to him and look up at the night sky. I didn’t think I’d ever be back here again, sitting next to Carter.
I turn to face him, my heart racing. “Sounds like you booty called Layla,” I say, unable to help myself. “Or are you guys dating officially now?”
Carter bursts out laughing and shakes his head. “I do not booty call,” he tells me, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Now I’m outraged in Spanish.”
A smile tugs at my lips, but I stomp it down and cross my arms over each other. “Hey, I wonder how Tony is doing,” I say, and Carter’s eyes flash with anger. “I should give him a call. See what he’s up to. That’d be interesting, wouldn’t it? We’d be dating siblings.”
Carter straightens in his seat and pins me down with a stare. “He works for me, and if he’d like to keep his job, he’d better damn well stay away from you. He stole your first date from me. I’ll be damned if I let him have anything else.”
I smile at him, pleased with the little bit of possessiveness he’s showing me. I lean back in my seat and look into his eyes. “You didn’t answer my question,” I murmur. “Were you with Layla? Are you dating her?”
Carter turns to look at me and raises his hand to my hair, brushing it out of my face gently. The way he’s looking at me right now… I want more of that. I want to be the only woman he ever looks at. I’m not sure why I was so blind for so long, why I clung onto a sense of obligation, when my heart so clearly guided me in the right direction.
“Why? What would you do if I was? Why would you even care?”
I bite down on my lip and Carter’s eyes follow my every movement. I swallow hard as my gaze drops to his lips. What would he do if I just kiss him right now? What if I fight for him? For what I think we could still have?
Carter cups my cheek, his thumb brushing over my lips. “I spent last night at home,” he whispers. “I can still see into your room from mine. Nothing has changed, you know. I can never sleep when I go back home. I can’t even get myself to close the curtains. It’s like I want to be tortured.”
My eyes widen and relief courses through me. I exhale and my entire body relaxes. I didn’t even realize I was this tense. I smile at Carter, and the edges of his lips tug up.
“Wow, a real smile,” he murmurs, and I grin up at him.
“I see,” I say, trying my best to play it cool.
Carter smiles and pulls away. “You’re awfully curious about who I spend my nights with, though.”
I shake my head, my eyes wide. “Am not,” I whisper.
“Are too,” Carter whispers right back.
I grin at him and he smiles back at me. I turn away, my cheeks crimson. Everything he told me about what he did to Layla is still running through my mind, and it still hurts. For the first time in years, though, I feel the courage to go after what I want, selfishly.
