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Carter shrugged. “You’re welcome.” He shook Derek’s hand. “Thanks for inviting me. I had a great time.”
“I’m glad we’ve reconnected. We need to do this again soon.”
“Definitely.”
As he and Derek chatted a bit longer, Haven nudged Darcy. “Walk him out,” she said under her breath.
Darcy paused, but another nudge from her friend made her say, “I’ll walk you out, Carter. I just need to grab my purse.”
Carter grinned.
She jogged upstairs and fetched her stained blouse from the bathroom before zipping into the guest room for her purse.
When she returned to the hallway, she found Haven standing at the top of the stairs, grinning at her. “He’s crazy about you.”
Darcy shook her head despite the excitement buzzing through her.
Carter’s and Derek’s muffled voices sounded below them.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for this,” Darcy admitted, careful to keep her voice soft.
“You may not be, but it’s obvious you two click. Just concentrate on being friends and see what happens. You can never have too many friends.” She pulled Darcy in for a hug. “Go for it.”
Darcy sighed. She was starting to believe Haven was right. But where did that leave her feelings for Jace? Would Jace understand? Would he want her to move on? Did she want to?
Haven released her. “And if you don’t hear from him after tonight, maybe you should make the first move.”
“What do you mean?”
“You ask him out. He probably won’t expect it, and I bet he’ll love it. You only live once.”
Darcy considered her best friend’s suggestion as they descended the stairs and met Carter and Derek at the front door.
“Glad you came,” Derek told Darcy.
Darcy shouldered her purse and couldn’t help but glance at Carter. “Me too.”
She and Carter exchanged goodbyes with the couple before walking into the humid night air. The stars above them twinkled in the dark sky while frogs croaked nearby.
Darcy inhaled the scent of fresh flowers and the pond as they strolled toward the driveway. Her car was parked behind Haven’s silver Honda CR-V, and Carter’s SUV looked lonely sitting by itself on the side of the road.
She turned around and leaned against the driver’s side door of her sedan. “I had fun tonight.”
“I did too.” He touched her arm, and her heart did a funny little dance. “Would it be okay if I texted you?”
Darcy conjured up a mischievous smile. “That sounds great, but do you have time for me in between all of those reality shows you watch?”
“Hmm.” He flashed that crooked grin. “You’re right. My schedule is pretty full, but I bet I can make time for you.”
He held his hand out to her, and she hesitated as the urge to hug him overcame her. When her courage fizzled, she accepted his hand but held on a little longer than necessary.
“Good night, Darcy,” he said.
“Good night.” She opened her car door and dropped her stuff inside. Then she turned her head, unable to resist watching him walk away.
***
Later that evening, Carter walked into the one-car, detached garage and was greeted by the familiar smells of rubber, plastic, parts cleaner, and oil. He flipped on the lights, then hopped up on a stool and placed his laptop on the workbench beside him. Before him sat his grandfather’s orange 1970 Plymouth Road Runner bordered by a row of toolboxes.
