Page 38 of Loving Carter

“That’s good, so let’s leave.”

Before I can argue, he heads out to the dance floor and tells the other couple we’re leaving. Carter starts to head our way, but Gabe stops him.

Once that’s all settled, we head to the exit. The outside air feels warm against my face, and I welcome the sensation.

“Thanks,” I say once we’re back in the car. “I’m not sure what’s wrong with me.”

Gabe is driving, and he makes no comment. It’s probably just as well. I know what he’s thinking—that both Carter and I are jerks. We’re driving the poor man nuts with our problems. Carter tries to dump me on Gabe so that I’m no longer available, then he changes his mind and no longer finds me attractive so there shouldn’t be a problem. But now I’m acting like a loon.

This whole mess makes me want to hide in my closet.

When we reach my house, I jump out of the car the second it’s in park. Gabe gets out too, but I stop him from walking me to the door.

“You are the nicest man I’ve ever met,” I tell him. “I can’t believe what Carter and I have put you through.”

He laughs. “Skylar, all you did was go to dinner with me. I had fun. It was nice. Nothing bad happened to me.”

“You sure?”

“Yes,” he says.

He’s right. Nothing bad happened. I even offered to pay for my dinner, but Carter paid the bill.

“I had a very nice time,” he tells me, then adds, “And just so you know, if you ever do want to go on an actual date, I’d be interested.”

For what feels like the millionth time recently, I’m dumbfounded and not sure what to say. Finally, I settle on, “Okay.”

Brilliant, I know.

I thank him, then let myself into the house. The dogs all look at me when I walk in. I’m pretty sure they’re judging me because I’m home early. So they’ll stop looking at me with their sweet doggie eyes, I take them outside for a potty break. We’ve just gotten back inside when the doorbell rings.

I hope it’s not Gabe. I don’t think I can take any more embarrassing conversations tonight.

But when I open the door, Carter is standing there.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I look at him, really look at him, and then I do the one thing I never thought I would do in my entire life.

I move forward and kiss him.

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