Page 44 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
Carter
Tonight is the masquerade ball, and Lina will be there. I can’t wait to see how awkward it will be with us—which is the expectation now. I don’t know what I’ll say when I see her or if she’ll still be upset by how I acted while we were in New York, but I’m not apologizing because I meant every word. It’s becoming more difficult to keep my feelings a secret.
“You look awesome,” Abby compliments while Ashley relaxes on my couch with a glass of wine in her hand, snuggling with Snickers. I’d love to have a dog one day, but he’s a little small for my taste. With my life the way it has been—traveling so much, I’ve never been able to have a pet.
“Thank you.” I swiftly clasp the button on my tux jacket and straighten my bow tie. I’m already running behind. “You know, you guys didn’t have to come over to help me with this.”
The event is only a short distance away, but I’m already getting anxious. Showing up after the doors open leaves enough time for Lina to arrive.
“Are you kidding?” Ashley scoffs. “And miss the chance to watch our older brother go off to prom—”
“—hoping he gets to dance with his crush,”Abby adds.
“Funny.” I cock my head. “And not at the same time.”
Abby rolls her eyes. “You’ve had a major thing for that flight attendant for a year. Of course, we’d see you off for the ball.”
“She’s right,” Ashley agrees, filling her glass with red wine. “When are you going to make a move?”
“First of all, she’s my friend’s daughter.” I bend down to slip on my black dress shoes. “And second, she’s a lot younger than I am.”
Abby put her hand on her hip. “How many years?”
“Thirteen, I think?”
“Give me a fucking break.” She chuckles. “That’s nothing.”
Straightening to a stand, I flex my broad shoulders to stretch the material. “Her dad is dating someone twenty years younger than him, and her mom, I’ve heard, dates men a lot older. Oddly enough, it’s a sensitive topic.”
“That’s actually pretty funny.” Ashley laughs. “And I don’t blame her. I’d also be a little weirded out by both things too.”
“And, yeah, the age difference isn’t that big of an issue for me, but mostly it’s because of Brian,” I admit.
Abby sticks her hand up, silencing her girlfriend. “Regardless of all of that. Carter, you’re hot and kind—and a good fucking catch.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” I deadpan.
“Maybe we should add cocky to that list,” she replies sarcastically.
“Did you both come over here to berate me or support me? Because right now, I’m a bit confused.” I slide my wallet and keys into my pocket.
“Both.”Abby grins.
Ashley lifts off the couch, and Snickers follows, hopping down and heading to the door. “We’re the sisters you never wanted. You’re welcome.”
“Lucky me.”
Abby wrinkles her nose in my direction. “Don’t pretend like you don’t love us!”
“I do. I really do,” I say, glancing in the mirror again to fix my tie.
“Wait.” Abby stops by the front door with her finger in the air as if she’s processed a thought. “Isn’t she your partner too?”
“Who?” I try to act like she isn’t on my mind every second of the day, but I already know that Abby is talking about Lina.
“The flight attendant, Lina.”
My only response is to rub my chin and nod.
