Page 18 of Unraveled

“Who?”

“Dr. Harbaugh. Maxillofacial surgery.”

He stared at her blankly for a moment, then blinked hard, his frustration quickly rising to the surface. “I don’t even know what that means, but I don’t need a doctor.”

“Do you have paperwork for me?” She wanted to put their time together behind them and move on. She had purposely ignored all of his calls, hoping he would do the same. Didn’t look like that was the case.

“Not yet. I—” He gave a little shake of his head, like he was trying to get back on track. “Listen, I wanted to apologize.”

She stared at him for a long moment. “Was that your pathetic excuse for an apology?”

He looked completely taken aback. “No, I⁠—”

“Apology accepted,” she said brusquely, cutting him off with a little toss of her head. She didn’t want to dwell on him being nice. Just having him nearby brought back all the memories from last week, short-circuiting her brain. She needed to get away from him before she did something stupid, like ask for a repeat. She couldn’t afford for that to happen.

“Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have to go.”

With a head tilt to Luke, she started toward the front door. Within seconds, Carter was beside her once more and placed a hand on her upper arm. Luke, who up until this point had remained blissfully silent, let out a low growl. Carter’s hand immediately fell away, and his eyes darted to Luke as if just realizing that the giant man was, in fact, with her.

That familiar chocolate gaze slid again to her and hardened slightly. “Are you with him?”

“That’s none of your business,” she snapped.

He looked absolutely furious, and she couldn’t help but needle him further. Maybe he’d finally get the picture and leave her alone. “But if you absolutely have to know, then yes, he’s⁠—”

“Who’s this?”

Her shoulders tensed as Hannah’s soft voice floated over her shoulder. Hannah had the worst timing ever. Audrey briefly closed her eyes before spinning around and trying to capture Hannah’s gaze, praying that she would get the hint and play along.

“No one,” she said loudly, just as Carter stuck out a hand for Hannah to shake.

“Hello, I’m Carter.”

Audrey cleared her throat and tried once again without success to meet her friend’s gaze.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Hannah.” Hannah smiled and released his hand, then stepped into Luke’s embrace and slipped her arm through his.

Seriously? Audrey glared at Hannah, but her eyes were focused solely on Luke. Her sweet, oblivious friend didn’t pick up on a single signal Audrey had so blatantly thrown out. Carter watched the proceedings with interest, and the tiniest glimmer of a smile lifted the corner of his lips as he met Audrey’s gaze, clearly calling her bluff. She glared back, and the smug expression slipped from his face.

Hannah glanced between the two of them. “Luke and I are heading to dinner. Would you two care to join us?”

Carter turned his attention to Audrey, his brows lifted in question. Or maybe it was challenge. The man was impossible. Trying to get through to him was like shoving at a brick wall. The last thing she wanted to do was be stuck in a restaurant with him for the next two hours, let alone in a vehicle. She was seventeen once; she knew very well what happened in back seats, and she didn’t need the temptation.

“You guys go ahead. I’m not hungry.”

Carter pried the box from her hands. “At least let me carry this out for you, then.”

Without another word, he turned and started for the front door.

“But… Carter!” She threw her hands in the air in exasperation before feeling Hannah’s bemused gaze on her back. She swiveled toward her friend. “Can you believe the gall of that man?”

“I think it’s sweet.” Hannah’s head tipped to the side as they fell into step behind him. “He’s very handsome.” She ignored Luke’s low hum of disapproval. “Who is he?”

“No one.”

“Please.” Hannah pulled Audrey to a stop and propped her hands on her hips. “How do you know him?”

“It’s not important.” Audrey tried to propel Hannah toward the exit, but she remained frozen in place, face tipped up in defiant expectation. Audrey knew she wouldn’t give in until she told her something. She shifted restlessly on her feet. “We kind of…”