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I feel my face start to burn. Damn it.
“What is it?” he asks, and reaches out and tips my chin upwards, just like he did earlier. For a moment, I expect him to kiss me again. But he just looks directly at me, his hazel eyes boring into mine.
“Figure it out,” I volley back, forcing myself to hold his gaze.
His eyes scan me, as if he actually is cataloging me, noting down every little detail.
After a moment he says, “You’reshy.”
I grimace. “I prefer reserved.”
“You’re shy, but instead of awkwardness, it manifests as you not wanting anything to do with anyone.”
“Hey!” I flick him lightly on the nose. “You make me sound like a bitch.”
“Angel, you’re too good to give most people the time of day anyways. I wasn’t judging.”
“I can be warm,” I protest.
“I know, Angela. I know.” His eyes twinkle as he says this, and all I can think about is thatkiss.That kiss that shouldn’t have happened—and the way I practically moaned into his damn mouth.
“Fine. I was shy when I was growing up, I’ll give you that. But it was never about being afraid of doing things.”
“You’ve never been afraid of anything,” he says.
I bite back a grimace. Because if there’s one thing Iamterrified of, it’s him. It’s being abandoned again—by men, by love, but mostly, by him. And for this entire trip I’ve felt like that’s what I’m hurtling towards—and I have no way of stopping it from happening, because we’ll eventually be back in Harborview, no matter what else happens.
“Everyone is afraid of something,” I say quietly. “But for me, I was shy as a kid because I don’t like being the center of attention. I’m happy to speak my mind when asked, and I thinkI can be bold. But birthday parties? Kill me. Music recitals? I’d rather die. It’s why I like being a nurse so much.”
“Because as a nurse, you’re always part of a team?”
“Exactly. How’d you know?”
And now it’shisturn to blush, and Carter Steel blushing is a sight to see. He looks adorable, cheeks red, eyes slightly widened, as if he can’t believe it’s really happening.
“Just something I remember you telling me one time,” he mumbles. “Years ago.”
“You big softie,” I joke, but really, I’m touched.
I don’t even remember telling him that, but I must have, because being part of a team is always what I say when I’m asked why I like being a nurse.
Carter Steel actually listens to me. And heremembers.
What the hell does that mean for me?
Carterand I end up watching two Disney princess movies back to back. We heat up our leftovers from earlier, and make the entire apartment smell like clam chowder, fries, and crab cakes. We eat on the bed like monsters and despite the huge meal we had earlier, still manage to finish everything.
During the second movie, someone knocks on the apartment door. Assuming it’s Margery, I hurriedly clear the food up so she doesn’t think we’re destroying her apartment. Carter busies himself doing the dishes.
I answer the door, and Margery is standing there with a bright smile on her face.
“How are you two doing?” she asks.
“Great! The food at Shaky Jane’s was so good,” I say. “Thank you again for letting us stay here.”
“No thanks needed,” she says. “I came up to let you know that Archie’s downstairs. Mitch called him and let him know two hikers were looking for a lift.”
“Oh! Thank you. We’ll go down and talk to him,” I say.
