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Carter rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Please don’t make a big deal out of this. We’re getting to know each other. Nothing is official, so don’t send out any wedding invitations.”
“Listen to me, okay?” Her expression became serious once again. “I know you’ve been through a lot, and I know Gabby hurt you when she broke up with you.”
“Shauna, don’t—”
“Please, Carter, let me finish.”
He nodded, preparing himself for another one of her speeches.
“When you got sick, you shut everyone out. You stopped seeing your buddies. You stopped going to parties. You stopped living. And even after your transplant and your recovery, you still haven’t gone back to a normal life.”
He pursed his lips. “I live a normal life, Shauna. I go out with you and Gage all the time.”
“But you don’t see your friends anymore.” Her eyes studied his. “When was the last time you talked to Mark, Jovan, or Todd?”
He shrugged. “I don’t remember. We lost touch a long time ago.”
“They’ve been your friends since kindergarten, Carter. They called you constantly when you were on dialysis, and they came to the hospital after the transplant.”
Irritation rushed through him. He wasn’t in the mood for her analysis of his life, even if it was all true. He had shut himself off when he was ill, but how could he relate to any of his friends now? They’d all gotten engaged and then married. His buddies had moved on without him.
He started searching the shelves again. “Do you know where the picnic basket is or not?” He felt a hand on his shoulder, and his neck tightened.
“Carter, if you care about Darcy, then you should go for it.” Shauna patted his shoulder. When he didn’t say anything, she beckoned him. “Come on. I’ll get the basket for you.”
He walked behind her into the house, and she gathered up the large picnic basket from the hall closet. She also handed him a blanket and disposable plates, napkins, and utensils.
“What are you going to eat?” she asked.
“I’ll stop by the deli on my way to pick her up. Then I’m going to bring her back to the park here in Flowering Grove. I thought we could talk and maybe even sit on the swings.”
Shauna’s pretty face lit up. “That is so sweet. You should ask her to officially be your girlfriend while you swing. And then—”
“Shauna...,” he warned.
“All right, I’ll stop.” She gave his arm a playful punch. “Can I at least meet her? You can invite her to your birthday barbecue.”
He didn’t answer.
Her smile withered. “Why would introducing her to me and Gage be the worst idea in the world?”
“Shauna, I’m not embarrassed by you or Gage. You’re my family.” He set the basket on the kitchen counter. “I just don’t know how to tell Darcy that I’m almost thirty years old and don’t have my own place. She’ll think I’m a loser, and I’ll never see her again.”
Shauna frowned. “No, she won’t. She’ll understand what you’ve been through.”
“I don’t want her pity.” He picked up the basket. “Thanks for finding this for me, but I really have to go.”
Shauna placed her hand on his bicep. “It’s not pity. It’s understanding. Besides, you’ll be back on your feet in no time.”
“I’m going to be late.” He balanced the basket in one hand and pulled his truck keys from the hooks by the back door.
Once outside he hit the button on the key fob. Then he loaded the basket into the unlocked trunk. He turned to Shauna, who was standing in the open doorway. “See you later, sis.” He hopped up into the driver’s seat and started the engine before rolling down the driver’s side window. Shauna still watched him with annoyance on her face. “I’ll consider the birthday party suggestion,” he said.
Her smile was back. “Thanks, Carter.” She waved and went back inside.
Carter pulled his phone from his pocket and texted Darcy. Hi! I need to make a stop and then I’ll be on my way.
Darcy: Awesome! What are our plans?
