Page 77 of No More Secrets
She got home at the reasonable hour of nine that night and gratefully changed out of her work clothes into Carter’s shirt. Summer had stayed late to get a jump on a few projects. Her conversation with Kira had reminded her of the dangers of taking her eye off the prize. If she slacked off, even just a little, someone would always be there to step into her shoes and take what she had worked so hard for.
She poured a glass of wine and carried it and her veggie stir-fry to the couch. Into the third week and she was still eating like a vegetarian. It really wasn’t bad. And if the diet had the positive health benefits it was supposed to, the sacrifice of bacon and burgers would be worth it in the long run.
She scrolled through the comments on her blog, noting that many of them were asking about Carter and the farm. Summer hoped she would do them justice in the article. The article that was due to Katherine in exactly two days.
She had a solid draft, but wanted to take another pass at it with fresh eyes to make sure she was telling the best story she could.
Her phone signaled an incoming video call.
Carter.
She was already smiling as she answered the call.
“Hello, handsome.”
He was on the couch, too, in his Pierce Acres t-shirt.
“Nice shirt,” she grinned.
“I could say the same for you. I’ve been looking for that one.” His voice soothed away the stress of the day.
“Oh, this old thing? I borrowed it. It smells like you.”
“Right off the farm me or after shower me?”
Summer held the collar up to her nose and sniffed. “A little bit of both. I like it.”
“How was your day?” Carter asked, leaning back against the cushions.
“It wasn’t bad.” She thought of Kira and Niko and decided not to mention either conversation. “Lots going on for the next issue. How about you?”
“You know I can read you like a glossy magazine, right? I’m not buying the ‘it wasn’t bad’ answer.”
Summer smiled. “Really? What am I thinking right now?”
Carter raised a dark eyebrow. “Honey, get your mind out of the gutter and tell me about your day.”
She did, sparing him her wish to toss Kira off of a building. “How is it everyone can look at me and know that we had sex?”
“If you figure it out let me know because Gordon Berkowicz told me I had a ‘healthy glow’ and Bobby took one look at me when I dropped off her delivery and started laughing.”
“Did she say why?”
Carter shrugged in equal parts annoyance and amusement. “She said I was whistling and had a ‘big, stupid smile’ on my face.’” He held up his fingers as quotes.
“Awh, poor baby. Are those mean Mooners picking on you?”
“Yes,” he frowned. “Come save me from them.”
“I wish I could, but it looks like I’m going to be stuck in the city until I come see you for the shoot.”
“If the motel is off the table — and I know how much you love animal crackers and stale candy bars for dinner — I was going to suggest I come to you.”
Summer sat upright. “You’d come here?”
Carter ran a hand through his beard. “Yeah. If you’re okay with it, I think I can get away for the weekend.”
“This weekend?” Summer squeaked. “The whole weekend? Are you serious?”
