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“The time and the budget.”
“Maybe I could help you,” Gage offered before suggesting where they would begin.
While his brother-in-law talked on about the car, Carter once again thought of Darcy. He would keep his promise and ask her out.
He just hoped he could be enough for her.
Chapter9
On Friday evening Darcy kicked off her heels and dropped her laptop bag, purse, and medications from the pharmacy on the bench in her foyer. The week seemed to have moved at a snail’s pace as she’d dealt with issue after issue at work.
Not only had she struggled to get the newsletter designed and distributed, but also her coworker had left for maternity leave the week before. Darcy wound up handling constant media calls after news had been leaked about their CEO’s upcoming retirement. Although she was delighted for her coworker, who had welcomed a beautiful baby girl, she was relieved to have finally made it to Friday.
She’d stopped at the pharmacy on her way home to get another ninety-day supply of the medications that would help keep her kidney transplant healthy. She dreaded going to the pharmacy since it brought back memories of the day she’d lost Jace. If only she hadn’t asked him to pick up her prescriptions for her, he’d still be here. And maybe they would be planning to welcome a baby girl or boy of their own. That familiar pang of wanting a family radiated in her chest.
Closing her eyes, Darcy stuffed those feelings down deep and focused on the present. She looked forward to making herself a frozen pizza and putting her feet up after the horrendous week she’d endured.
Darcy padded into the kitchen and yawned. Pulling her phone from the pocket of her slacks, she glanced down at the screen and once again found it blank. Disappointment bloomed in her. All week she’d hoped for a call or text from Carter, but she hadn’t heard a peep. She’d thought they’d bonded at Derek’s housewarming party, but she was starting to regret pouring out her soul about her yearning to find her biological mother.
She was certain he was attracted to her since he’d almost kissed her. A shiver raced up her spine at the memory of how close he’d been, how she’d felt his breath on her lips. If only Derek hadn’t ruined that moment!
Then she reminded herself that Carter had asked if he could text her, and for the thousandth time this week, she wondered why he hadn’t. Perhaps he’d had as crazy a week as she had.
With another yawn, Darcy yanked open the freezer door and searched for a pizza. She selected pepperoni and placed the box on the counter before preheating the oven. Just as she leaned down to collect her round pizza pan from the oven drawer, her phone rang.
Darcy popped up and grabbed her phone, hoping to see Carter’s name on her screen. When she saw her dad’s face instead, curiosity besieged her.
“Hi, Dad,” she said as she answered.
“What are you up to?”
“Just got home.” She leaned back against the counter. “I was getting a frozen pizza ready for the oven. How about you?”
“I’m sorry this is last-minute, but there’s a car show in Mint Hill tonight. I didn’t think I could go, but then your mom reminded me that she has plans with her book club. And you told me to let you know if I was planning to go to any car shows, so... wanna join me?”
Darcy bit her lower lip as Haven’s advice about Carter from last weekend echoed in her mind:
You ask him out. He probably won’t expect it, and I bet he’ll love it. You only live once.
When she imagined asking Carter to meet her at the car show, her exhaustion evaporated and confidence surged through her. She squared her shoulders. “Yeah, Dad. I’d love to. And I’m going to invite a friend, if that’s okay.”
“Absolutely, Darcy. The more the merrier.” He shared the details of when and where they would meet.
“I can’t wait.” Darcy disconnected the call. Her hands shook as she pulled up her last text message exchange with Carter, which had been the day her car had broken down.
“Here goes nothing,” she whispered as she typed out a text.
Darcy: Hi. Do you have plans tonight?
She held her breath, hoping to see those wonderful conversation bubbles. After a few moments, they appeared, and her nerves fluttered to life.
Carter: Don’t think so. What’d you have in mind?
Darcy: There’s a car show in Mint Hill. If you’re not too busy watching reality TV, would you like to meet me there?
Carter: Hmm. Let me check the TV listings. Oh, wow. They’re all repeats tonight, even the podiatrist show. So, yeah, I’d love to.
Darcy danced around the kitchen for a minute, then pulled herself together and shared the details with him.
