AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Derek turned the kabobs on the grill and then closed the lid. “They’re almost done,” he called out to Haven. “Thanks for setting everything up.”
“You’re welcome, but Darcy helped.” Haven grinned at Darcy. “Why don’t you give Carter the twenty-five-cent tour?”
Darcy gestured toward the house. “Would you like to go inside?” she asked him.
“I’d love to.”
As Darcy led Carter into the kitchen, she held her head high. Even if he was dating someone else, she’d do her best to keep her wits about her. At the very least, maybe she could have a friendship with him. She didn’t dare wish for anything more.
Chapter7
Carter followed Darcy into the house. He had been relieved to see her when she came out to the deck, not only because he liked her, but also because she was a familiar face. He felt like a fish out of water at Derek’s place, surrounded by successful young professionals. It reminded him of why he and Derek had drifted apart after high school. While Derek had gone on to college and a professional career, Carter was a blue-collar mechanic who felt frozen in time due to his financial situation.
“This is the kitchen.” She pointed toward the sink before stepping into the den, which was adorned with a large gray sectional, a huge flat-screen television, a couple of armchairs, a coffee table, and end tables. “And here’s the family room.”
She walked down a hallway. “There’s a half bath here, a laundry room, and an office.” She pointed toward a doorway. “That leads to the two-car garage.”
Darcy started up the stairs, and when Carter followed her, he caught a whiff of her perfume or possibly her shampoo. She looked stunning again tonight. The color of her shirt seemed to bring out the green in her eyes, and he longed to touch her braid to feel how soft her hair was.
Although she smiled at him, she seemed more aloof than she’d been in the past. Perhaps she wasn’t as thrilled to see him as he was to see her. Had she already met someone?
“And up here, there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms.”
When he touched her hand, she stilled, and her eyes widened. “How have you been?” he asked.
“Fine. Great.” Her manufactured smile didn’t reach her eyes. Something was off. “You?”
He tilted his head and tried to interpret her unspoken mannerisms. “Have you talked to Mason since the car show?”
“Is that a joke?” She laughed, and relief filtered through Carter as she visibly relaxed. “Of course I haven’t, and I really hope he doesn’t come tonight.” Then she scrunched her nose. “Oh, that was so snotty of me.”
“Not snotty, just honest.”
She leaned on the pony wall at the top of the stairs. “I’m glad Haven and Derek finally got the message that I’m not interested in any more horrendous blind dates.” She studied him as if she were trying to figure out an intricate puzzle. “Are you seeing anyone?”
Surely that couldn’t be hope he found in her gorgeous green eyes. “I’ve been single for a long time.”
“Why?”
His brow crinkled, and his lips quirked. “Why am I single?”
“I’m so sorry.” Her cheeks reddened, and she spun away from him. “That’s really nosy of me. I’m... I’m just surprised you don’t have a girlfriend.” She moved down the hallway. “So the master bedroom is over here.”
“Hold on.” He touched her arm. “Why are you surprised?”
“Ah. Well.” She seemed to search for the words as the sound of footfalls on the stairs filled the hallway. Then her eyes focused on something behind her, and she looked relieved. “Haven. Hi.”
Haven stood at the top of the stairs and leaned on the banister. “I thought you two got lost. The kabobs are ready.”
A knowing look passed between the friends, and curiosity gnawed at him.
“Great.” Darcy pivoted toward him. “Let’s get something to eat.”
Back out on the deck, Carter and Darcy made their way down the food table. They filled their plates with kabobs, corn on the cob, pasta salad, and chips before picking up glasses of sweet tea.
“Would you like to find a quiet place to sit and talk?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yes.”
