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“Blueberry, banana nut, or chocolate chip?”
“How much did you buy, Carter?”
“A few options.” One of everything in the coffee shop.
“Banana nut.”
Reaching into the paper sack, I grab out her muffin of choice, thankful to finally know something she likes even if it is something as simple as the baked good I’m handing to her.
She leans back in her chair, finally relaxing as she takes a bite. I can’t look away from her mouth. I want to taste her more than any sweet treat in that bag.
“What’s your pick?” she asks, motioning to the pastries.
You. “I’m a sucker for sweets. I have to limit myself so I don’t go overboard.”
“Don’t dare say that to my mom. She’ll see it as her mission to bake everything under the sun for you.” The way her face lights up when she talks about her family makes me crave that feeling more than any food craving I’ve ever felt.
“She sounds wonderful. Your dad is too.” I didn’t talk to him for long but between the conversation and the magnificent woman they raised in front of me, I know they’re everything I’d ever want for a parent. “The business he built from a summer lawn-mowing job is nothing short of extraordinary.”
My dad was born into money. He never worked a day in his life, immediately gliding from high school to his career in the big leagues, bypassing higher education because he never needed a backup plan. He knew he could rely on his father’s wealth to bail him out. My father’s wealth was the last thing I wanted, even making a point to pay for my higher education on my own after refusing a scholarship that I wasn’t certain was offered to me for my abilities.
“My dad is the best. Which is why it’s important to me that everything goes well, for his sake and my mom’s. And yours.” She gives me a joking side-eye, but I see the worry shining through her smile. And I don’t blame her. The people in her life are special to her, and she wants to keep them safe.
“It will. And so will our date afterwards.” I give her a wink, knowing I will do absolutely everything in my power to make sure both go off without a hitch.
“We’ll see.” She brings the coffee cup up to her smirking lips, taking a sip.
She didn’t refuse me, so it’s definitely a swing and a hit. I’ve never been so damn thrilled over a date as I am about her not turning me down flat again for a date. So, I let the topic drop as I listen to her speak about her family. The more she talks, the more I’m looking forward to spending the day with all of them, her especially, because our current coffee date is over way too fast for my liking.
“Well, my students will be along in about five minutes.” She glances at her phone before shuffling items around on her tidy desk.
Reaching over, I tenderly grab her hand in mine, rubbing my thumb along her wrist as I lift her knuckles to my mouth, feathering a gentle kiss across them. “Let me know if you change your mind about tonight.”
I stand, moving the chair back to its place. “I’ll find the coach and tell him you sent me to rally his team.” I regretfully turn to leave the classroom and seek out the damn coach when I’d rather park my ass in this classroom or anywhere she is, really.
“Carter,” she says softly. When I turn, she’s got the most magnificent smile on her face. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” And damn it, it is. The only thing I can think as I make my way through the high school is I hope it’s the first of many days where we’re on good terms. And I really hope I’m done watching her bail on me.
17
AVERY
The morning has been perfect. Surreal, but perfect. Introducing Carter to my dad face-to-face was a bizarre moment. Even though Dad is a fan, he never showed it. Instead, he started bossing Carter around just like he does the rest of us, and Carter fell right into line. In fact, Carter fits in with us almost too perfectly as we move around the store and wrap up some last-minute things that Dad wanted done before the signing tonight. And I have to say, the store hasn’t looked this good in years, if ever—we’ve wiped every square inch of it down. And Carter is still at it, putting in the work with Rhett to finish up their latest task.
“So, what’s the deal with y’all?” Presley asks, startling me. But it’s a good thing she jolted me out of my reverie, as I realize now I’d just been standing staring at Carter. Again.
“There’s no deal. He wanted to help out Mom and Dad’s business.”
“Yeah. Sure, Avery.” My little sister all but undresses him with her eyes, making me want to fist fight her for the first time since we were kids. “Then you won’t mind if I go over and thank him properly for everything he’s doing for our parents.” Her suggestive smirk tells me what her idea of “properly” entails.
“Stay away from him, Presley.”
“Why, sis? There’s nothing going on between the two of you, right?” she goads. “I can’t wait to see under that T-shirt.” She moves to walk over, but I step in front of her.
“Stop it.”
“Not until you admit it.” Her patronizing smirk tells me she wants the intel, not for my benefit, but to use to hers however she might decide during her next bratty episode.
