Page 42 of Cursed Touch
Vanessa looked away. “No, she hasn’t called.”
Carter put their trash back in the bag and pulled her into the space between his legs. “Are you mad at her?”
Vanessa shrugged. “It wouldn’t be fair to be mad at her for something she had no control over. I am a bit hurt over it all. I mean, that’s a huge secret to keep from me, but again, it’s not like she wanted to.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I like her.”
“She’s the best, the sister I always wanted.”
“Did I tell you she showed up at my house after our first date and ripped into me?” he asked, a smile teasing the corner of his mouth.
Vanessa twisted in his arms so she could look at him. “No! Tell me!”
Carter chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, then squeezed her to him. “She’s a tough chick,” he said before recounting the visit.
Vanessa laughed. “She never told me any of that, but I suppose she couldn’t.”
Carter kissed her temple before releasing her. “Why don’t you get back to work, and I’ll clean up our mess.”
“I…” Her lips twisted, but she did not have a good argument.
A man who encouraged her and did not get upset she spent so much time on her craft was an anomaly. More often than not, she was praised for being a young business owner but reprimanded for not having more time to give her partner. Carter was unlike any of the others she had attempted dating.
“Thank you,” she whispered before kissing him briefly. It was chaste and sweet. Her heart opened further for the man.
He gave her a light pat on the butt, sending her off to get to work, and she laughed. Being around Carter was easy. Silence did not agitate her nerves, and with everything out in the open, she felt as if they could breathe.
A few minutes later, she held her pliers in one hand and a headpin strung with a few chips of stone in the other.
Carter laid his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. “Why don’t you just text her or call her?”
Tipping her head back, she met his gaze. “Huh?”
“Sweetheart, you’ve been sitting like that for ten minutes. You haven’t moved, and a minute ago, I heard you mumble Georgia’s name. Reach out to her.”
She looked down at her hands. “Really? Ten minutes?”
Carter kissed her temple. “Yes,really.”
Vanessa set down her tools and wiped her palms on her pants. Carter stepped away, giving her privacy, and settled on a comfortable chair he must have conjured.
She unlocked her phone and opened their last text, ignoring the slight tremble of her fingers.
Vanessa: Peter told me everything, as I’m sure you already know. I hope you know I’m not mad or upset. I could use a girl’s night though. Love you!
The three little dots appeared instantly before disappearing and reappearing. This went on for nearly three minutes before Georgia’s text vibrated Vanessa’s phone.
Georgia: I’m so sorry I kept it from you. You’re okay with everything?
Vanessa peered over at Carter, who was focused on the laptop before him. He looked like a college student rather than the doctor he was.
Vanessa: There’s a lot to learn, but yes, we’re okay!
Chapter 20
Carter sat up straight, the satin sheet falling to his waist as droplets of sweat clung to his body. Glancing down, he stared at the impressive tent. Peering around his very empty room, he sighed before shifting sideways.
The cold floor pierced the bottoms of his feet as he lowered his elbows to his knees and cradled his head. His hair was damp with sweat, and his heart still thundered in his chest.
