Page 53 of Loving Carter

Even if I’d hoped it wouldn’t.

“He’s such a darling,” Edna says, coming to stand next to me.

I nod. “Yes. Carter is a nice guy.”

She glances briefly at me, then says, “As much as we’d like him to stay, he’s been miserable here. He never complained, but he’s been miserable. I think all of us who care about him must be kind and let him go.”

Okay, it’s a little melodramatic, but she’s right. I’m not happy about it, but I can hardly say I care about him if I don’t think he should do what makes him happy in life. I’m doing what makes me happy by owning the bakery. I built the life I want. Carter deserves the same chance.

“Don’t you think?” Edna says.

I realize I’ve been standing next to her, staring at Carter and not saying a word. Real smooth.

I pull myself together. “Yes. I agree. We need to let him go.”

Carter is taking the burgers off the grill and putting them on a platter. “Come eat,” he says.

Everyone hurries over to get food.

“You’ll be okay,” Edna says, her tone very sweet.

I glance at her, then look away before she sees the trace of tears in my eyes. She’s trying to be nice, so I say, “Of course.”

Naturally, I will be okay. I know that. I just wish I had a best friend to talk to about this. I need someone to pour my heart out to, but my best friend is the one who has broken my heart.

What do I do now?

***

Carter

THIS CONVERSATION ISgoing to be hard. Scratch that—it is going to be a killer. But it has to be done. Skylar and I have to talk about the future, whether we like it or not.

I show up at her house about seven in the evening. We agreed I’d come over once I returned to Endearing after my interview. She knows I’m coming because I called ahead. I ring the doorbell and hear the barking from inside.

“Hi,” she says, opening the door to let me in.

I can tell from her expression that she knows how things went. You’d think I’d be happy about that since it will make things easier, but truthfully, I’m not.

Once we’re inside, she leads the way to the living room. She sits on the sofa, and rather than sit next to her, I sit in the chair facing her.

“You’re leaving, right?”

I meet her gaze and feel like there’s a knot in my stomach.

“Skylar, I think—”

She waves a hand and stops me. “Just tell me. The interview today went well, and you like the job. You’ve decided to take it, right?”

I draw in a deep breath. I hate this. I hate what I’m about to do. Then I say, “Yes. It’s a terrific opportunity, and I’d be a fool to pass it up.”

She nods slowly, so I continue. “Skylar, we can still see each other. I can drive back every few weeks, and maybe you can come stay with me in Dallas sometimes.”

We both know I’m blue-skying here. There’s no way she’ll be able to leave the bakery that long. I also won’t be able to take off work very often to drive all the way to Endearing.

“It won’t work,” she says, her comment mirroring my thoughts. “We both know that.”

“I can’t build a life here in Endearing,” I say softly. I’m not sure which one of us I’m trying to convince.

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