Page 5

Carrie slowly shook her head. Butterflies fluttered up from her stomach to her chest, making her heart race. What she was about to do or try to do was a big deal. She hoped Kelsey would support her. She hadn’t been this excited about anything in a long time.

Kelsey sat back, watching Carrie intently. “I’m waiting.”

Taking a deep breath, Carrie mirrored her friend’s posture. “I’m ready.”

“For what?”

Carrie bit her lips together. She hadn’t planned this conversation well. Honestly, she’d only decided to have this discussion in the car driving over. So, a little off the cuff here. How did she want to convey what she meant?

Thankfully, a server arrived holding a small pad and asked for their order. Hopefully, Carrie could figure out the words she should use.

After they’d relayed their desired lunches to the waitress, she skipped away, and Kelsey’s eyes bored into Carrie again.

The suspense was obviously killing her friend. She should just say it. Put it out there.

Carrie swallowed hard, interlaced her fingers, and placed them on the table. “I want, no, I need to get back in the game.”

Kelsey cocked her head in confusion.

“I miss the feeling of someone’s body pressed against mine,” Carrie explained. “Holding hands. Kissing.”

“Oh.” Kelsey blinked rapidly. “Are you sure?”

Carrie’s head bobbed up and down enthusiastically. “All that stuff is behind me,” she said. “I want to move forward with my life, and I can’t do that until I allow someone else near me like that.”

Her friend pursed her lips.

“And I think I have an idea who I can try this with. Someone safe. Who won’t expect more than I’m willing to offer.”

“I’m afraid to ask.”

“Then don’t.” Carrie grinned, knowing full well Kelsey was far too nosy to let this go. “It might be better that you don’t know.”

“Fuck off.” Kelsey snorted. “Who?”

“Kid.”

4

Kid

Opening day had arrived. Standing at the coffee maker, Kid’s hand shook while reaching for a mug. His heart rattled against his ribs. He’d barely slept the night before. A million and nine scenarios raced through his head every time he closed his eyes. Hell, even when he opened them, a potential catastrophe came to mind. Caffeine would be the only way he could survive it.

Watching the machine brew, he tapped a finger against the counter and wondered how many energy drinks one could consume before giving himself a heart attack.

“You’re up early,” Carrie said as she approached the small table just outside the kitchen space.

Kid faced her and scrubbed his hand up and down the back of his neck. “Yeah. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t.” She waved a hand, dismissing his concern.

Sleep wasn’t easy for Carrie. Though over the last few weeks, she didn’t scream in the middle of the night like she used to. He’d hate to be the reason she’d gotten up earlier than normal.

Kid’s gaze swept over her, and he studied her expression. How bad were the dark circles that had plagued her since the night they’d been reacquainted today? If they were more prominent, that meant she had a rough night. Wearing oversized pajama pants and a massive Care Bears T-shirt, she reached up and yawned while stretching. He’d never seen her appear so refreshed in the morning.

She looked good. His dick stirred in her presence like it always did. Silently, he cursed his member. The damn thing could be really inconvenient on occasions such as this.

Averting his gaze, not wanting to seem like he ogled her, he busied himself with adding a splash of milk and some sugar to the mug while the coffee brewed. “I want to get down to the studio early to make sure everything goes smoothly today.”