Page 23 of Carter

He doesn’t exactly smile at that, but something softens on his face. I’m getting close. And now, I’m determined.

“Would make my life easier, I think.”

“How so?”

He shrugs, resting his forearms on the table. “I’d have more time to get work done.”

“Is that all you do with your life?”

“What else is there?”

“I don’t know. Family. Friends. Fun?”

“Do you have fun?”

My brow shoots up, feeling called out but not defensive. He doesn’t make me feel like I have to throw my walls up. Not when it comes to me. When it comes to Ryan and this case, the jury is still out…

“I try,” I start. “I volunteer at an animal shelter on Saturday mornings, and I know you’re going to say, ‘that’s not fun,’ but it is for me. I can’t have a pet, so this is my way of having one.”

“Why can’t you have one?”

“I mean, I guess Icould. It would just be left alone all the time because I work so much and that’s not fair.”

He nods. The waitress comes back with my water, and I realize again that I haven’t looked at the menu, so I quickly pick it up.

“Do you need another minute?” she asks kindly.

“Nope, just start with him and I’ll be ready.”

I scan the menu as quickly as I can, figuring I’ll just get a burger. Detective Bennett orders his meal, a pasta dish, and sheturns her attention onto me. I order a burger that has an egg and bacon on it with a side of sweet potato fries. She smiles, takes our menus, and walks away.

“Sorry, I’m always in a strange mood after group. It’s hard to focus.”

“No need to apologize,” he says sincerely, reaching for his coffee.

“So, what do you do when you’re not working?” I ask. “Seriously, because it can’t be all you do.”

“I moved here about a month ago from Chicago, so yeah, it’s really all I do.”

I knew he wasn’t from around here. There’s something about him that just says, “I’m not from New York.”

“There is so much to do in New York. You haven’t found one thing?”

“I came here for work. I’m trying to get acclimated. Find my space.” I nod. “I do talk to my brothers, though.”

“You’re close?”

“Wouldn’t say close, but they’re younger than me, so I’m responsible for them.”

“Are they little or something?”

He smirks, and I feel like I’ve won something.

“No, they’re grown men with their own lives, but in my head, they’re still my little brothers, so…” He shrugs, then flicks his gaze to mine. “You have any siblings?”

“No. Only child.”

“Lucky,” he comments.