Page 126 of Pink and Country

Taylor let out a small sigh. “April keeps luring me with food. I’ll have to run five extra miles to burn all the calories she made me eat this morning alone.” A chuckle escaped my lips.

Carter shook his head, unable to hide his amusement. He leaned over to kiss me, and I melted.

Taylor left, and I followed Carter into the bedroom.

“I love you in my clothes, Fairy.” I slumped on the bed, my eyes closed, deciding a power nap would do a miracle for my headache while my boyfriend showered and changed.

Two hours later, rested and my headache something from the past, I sat on the counter in the kitchen, Carter standing between my legs, a tall glass of orange juice in his hand. His other hand clutched my knee.

“We’re having dinner downtown tonight. I planned it before you showed up. The entire team will be there. Will you come with us?”

After last night’s clubbing, a night in with takeout and a movie sounded heavenly, but joining Carter on the road meant mingling with his world. I loved he asked instead of imposing this dinner on me.

“I want to be a part of your life. All of it. If this means having dinner with you and your crew in a probably overly expensive restaurant, so be it.” I flashed him a grin. “All jokes aside, count me in. Carter Hills, would you be my date tonight?” His mouth met mine, glints lighting up his eyes. I had no intention of disrupting all his plans.

“June wants to take you shopping. She’s excited to have you around. If you prefer, we can go together, or she can pick up something for you to wear tonight.”

I scrunched up my nose. “I’d like to go with her. If that’s okay. I’m still figuring out this whole is-it-safe-or-not-safe to go out.”

“You’ll get used to asking Taylor to come with you. Choose whatever makes you happy.”

Carter kissed the tip of my nose and wound his arms around me. With my face buried in his chest, I breathed him in. All male, cedarwood and pine. My favorite smell. Every last bit of tension in my body disappeared.

Sweet around me. Like I said.

* * *

June and I spent the afternoon together. I loved the idea of having a girlfriend around when I spent time with Carter.

June brought me to stores I would’ve never ventured into before, and she made me try on clothes I never dreamed I would wear. Clothes I could never afford on my own. My eyes bulged at the price tags hanging from every single piece of clothing, from designer sunglasses and tiny clutches to dresses and shoes.

“June, I can’t shop here. It’s way over my budget.”

“April, you don’t have to worry about it. I’m on strict orders to buy anything you want or need. It seems like a lot of money for gals like us; however, believe me when I say Carter can afford this without blinking an eye.” She squeezed my forearm gently.

“Carter’s already bought too many expensive clothes for me. This isn’t right.” I gestured all around the pricey store with one hand. June’s eyes drifted from me to the saleslady coming our way with champagne glasses on a tray, her face so tight that it added to my uneasiness. June stopped her with one lift of her index finger. The lady halted, her wrinkle-free face expressionless. Botox or years of training being a snob? I couldn’t tell.

“Carter will kill me if I let you walk out of here without an outfit for tonight.”

I sighed, my gaze circling the store once more. I dropped my shoulders and blew out a long breath. “Fine, but it’s the last time I’m doing this. I’ll talk to Carter.”

Since our encounter in Nashville, things had changed between June and me. A lot. Nowadays, she looked thrilled to have me around. Carter’s entire team had warmed up to my presence. I didn’t blame them for watching out for him, though. Now I understood their wariness.

In a small hipster coffee shop downtown, June and I stopped for a bite over a cup of tea. June fidgeted with her fingers and sucked in a breath as she locked her eyes on mine. “I’m sorry, April, if I wasn’t too eager about you dating Carter at first. We were dealing with the whole Savannah Prince fiasco when you came around. I was being a bitch, but it wasn’t personal. The timing sucked. I love having you around.” Another knot in my stomach slackened. Her words went straight to my heart.

“You’re not so bad yourself. I had no idea what I was getting myself into back then. But I’m grateful you have Carter’s back. I really am. You and me, we’re past all that, and I value our friendship.”

June linked her arm through mine as we exited the cafe, and we strolled downtown for another hour.

When I got back to the hotel, I sank into the sofa. My feet hurt. My stomach grumbled. Sprawled on my back, I closed my heavy eyelids.

I woke up from my slumber with Carter’s lips brushing mine.

“Tired?”

I pried my eyes open. Did I sleep with my shoes on? Oh God. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, fearing I might have drool at the corner of my lips.

“Not anymore.” I tugged at the collar of Carter’s shirt and pulled him to me, claiming his mouth with mine. A deep groan left his lips, and my body woke up.