Page 50 of Pink and Country

“What did you two talk about?”

“You.” I averted my gaze, scared Carter would be mad I talked to his best friend about him behind his back.

“Cool. I hope you said wonderful things.” Carter swiveled my stool and laid a kiss on my lips. As if it was the normal thing to do. My eyes flared, but I said nothing. Flutters danced in my belly when he pressed his mouth to mine. It awakened all my senses and filled me with a renewed energy.

“I’ll go change and cook dinner.” Carter turned around to walk away, but I caught his wrist. I felt his pulse, strong and steady, beating under the pad of my fingers.

“No offense, but you look like shit. I can cook.” Carter clutched my shoulders and softened his voice.

“I want to. I insist. Give me ten minutes, I’ll be right back.” Carter’s lips connected to my forehead, and he disappeared upstairs.

What the hell’s going on?

Carter Hills acted like we’re dating.

Now I refused to spoil the night and vent my frustration. I cringed. Damn it.

* * *

We finished our dinner, and I sat back in my chair, my half-empty wineglass in hand, looking at Carter from afar. With a roll of my wrist, I spun the clear liquid around in my glass. I loathed secrets. Bringing the glass under my nose, I took a whiff of the alcohol, the gears in my head spinning to find the right words. My heartbeat sped up.

You can do this, April. You have to.

My gaze wandered all around me, avoiding Carter’s, and I cleared my throat. “I know about you.” I struggled to keep my voice low and even, too many emotions bubbling inside me.

Carter’s eyes locked on mine for a split second.

His lips tightened.

Something passed between us.

Carter pressed the heels of his hands over his eyes and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You do?”

I nodded, keeping my gaze down.

“Fuck, this wasn’t supposed to happen. I’m sorry. I never meant for you to learn it this way. How did you—?” His voice cracked, and it drowned his last words.

The same way I did with Dahlia today, I pushed my phone across the table, a picture of Carter and me visible on the screen. “My friend Saunders sent me those. Thought I knew about you and kept it a secret.”

Carter raised his head, grabbed my phone, and swept through the pictures, focused.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he breathed out. “Listen, I’m sorry. I messed up. Shit. I’ll understand if you want nothing to do with me anymore.” I extended my hand to grab his, but he leaned back and punched the table. “Stupid press.” Carter rose and dragged his hand over his face, smoothing the worry lines.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Carter stopped pacing and faced me. “I love how I’m just HN around you. You expect nothing from Carter Hills. You’re yourself, and you stand your ground. People always treat me differently when they know who I am.”

I failed to hold in the smile stretching my lips. Rising to my feet, I joined Carter in the kitchen. He slithered an arm around my shoulders, and I buried my head in his chest.

“I was mad earlier. Super mad. You lied to me, and I wanted to leave before you came back home. But then Dahlia came over, and she explained stuff to me. About fame and how you hate it. She told me you left this morning to take care of this,” I said, pointing to my phone on the table with a grimace.

“Yeah, I did. Wait. You wanted to leave? Without saying goodbye?” I tilted my head back to meet his eyes. Carter did a poor job hiding the hurt painting his face. I nodded and swallowed hard. “That’s why your suitcase was in the foyer, isn’t it?” I bowed my head, and his muscular hands grabbed mine.

“Honestly, I didn’t know what to think of all this and I still don’t. I felt betrayed because I thought you and I were friends. You hurt me.”

Carter swept my cheek with his thumb.

“I brought your luggage back to your room earlier. That’s where it belongs.”