“Oh, so that’s what this is about?” He glowered down at me while I sat on the couch. “Owning one restaurant isn’t good enough. I’ve got to be like Austin and run three. Or like your father and run the whole town!”
He was breathing heavily, his chest moving in and out. I’d never seen this side of him before.
“That’s what you want, isn’t it? Money! Well, I hate to break it to you, sweetheart. But I’m never going to be rich like your father. We’re not going to live in a big mansion in the suburbs and have a private jet and go to the Hamptons whenever we feel like it!”
I felt all the blood draining from my face. I could hardly breathe.
“Some of us have to work for a living,” he whispered, gasping for oxygen.
“And I don’t? You think I haven’t busted my ass, too?” I asked.
“When I moved to New York, I had nothing! I built what I have on my back. If things go south, I’m screwed! If you lost your business, ten bucks Daddy would be right there to bail you out in a heartbeat!”
I looked at him with liquid in my eyes. A tear streamed down my cheek as I stayed very still.
“What do you want from me?” he asked.
My hands were shaking as I got up. I went into the bedroom and changed into my clothes, crying the whole time. I put my shoes on and grabbed my bag, finding my phone on his nightstand and taking it.
“What are you doin’?” He stood in the doorway.
I moved past him and headed for the front door.
“Where are you goin’?” He followed me, blocking my exit.
I couldn’t meet his pretty blue eyes. Because then I’d never leave.
“I just think that I need to—” I broke down sobbing.
“Bailey.” He touched my arm. “Please don’t go.”
“I don’t want to,” I confessed. “But I think I should sleep in my own bed tonight.”
Carter started crying. And I couldn’t take it. My tears multiplied, replenishing each other like rain in a forest. When he reached out to hug me, I let him. In fact, I relished his warmth, his touch, his smell.
I’d loved everything about him from the moment we met. But what if we couldn’t make this work?
“No,” he sobbed, squeezing my body like he didn’t want to let go.
I leaned back in his arms and he kissed me, touching my cheek with his thumb. Then he stared into my eyes and sniffled, pressing his lips together. His left arm was still coiled around my waist.
“Carter.” I felt his electric gaze. But it wasn’t enough. “Let me go.”
He released me and stepped away from the door. I almost thought he’d stop me when I opened the door. But this time, he watched me leave. And I hated that we’d come to a crossroads like this.
“Can I come with you?” he asked, leaning against the doorjamb. He pouted like a little boy.
“No.” I stood in the hallway.
“Why not?”
“Because we’re both exhausted. It’s been a really long day. I think we should just get some sleep.”
He seemed to accept this, swallowing with a reluctant nod. “Can I see you tomorrow?”
“Yes.” I put my hand to his cheek. “I’m just really tired right now. And I know you are, too.”
He gave me a hug that lasted a long time. But it would never be long enough.
“I love you,” he said with tears in his eyes.
“I love you, too.” I pulled away and walked down the hall.
I didn’t look back.
WHEN MY ALARM WENT off, I slammed my hand down on the clock and groaned. Last night came back to me like a scene from a movie. The way I’d just left him standing there. I’d walked out on Carter.
My stomach coiled with nausea at the memory. Had it really been that bad?
Bad enough for me to feel like I had to leave?
If we hadn’t both been drained from work, maybe last night would have ended differently.
But the way I’d handled things felt like a bad omen. What if we weren’t compatible?
I heard a knock on the door and dragged myself out of bed. Sleeping in was starting to feel like a luxury. One that I truly missed. But I put on my robe and hauled my tired self to the door, hoping it was a stranger here to tell me that I’d just won a free trip to the Bahamas. All expenses paid.
Then again, without Carter in my life, I’d revert to a full-blown workaholic and probably wouldn’t even take it. What was the point of being in paradise if you had no one to share it with?
I unlocked the door and lit up with surprise. Some dreams really do come true.
“Carter,” I gasped, near speechless. “What are you doing here?”
“You said I could see you tomorrow. It’s tomorrow.”
I leaned into the doorway and smiled. He was always so clever.
“I wanted to apologize for how I treated you last night. The things I said...”
“You were tired,” I said.
“I was an asshole.” He swallowed. “I was upset and frustrated. But that’s no excuse. These last couple weeks, I’ve been tryin’ so damn hard to make you happy. But I don’t always know what you want.”
I flicked my eyes to the floor but then he caught my gaze, sucking me back in.
“I want to be the guy that makes enough money to give you what you want. But I also want to be the guy who can be there when you get off work and have dinner with you and spend time with you.”
I bit my lip when he started to tear up. “Carter—”
“Just let me say this.” He held up his hand, breathing heavily. “I can live without a lot of things. Penthouses. Fancy cars. Five course meals. Fine wine.” He swallowed. “But I can’t live without you.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling soft and gooey on the inside.
“So you just tell me what you want, and I’ll do whatever it takes. Even if it means I have to hire a manager, open another location, get a regular job, give up the restaurant—”
“No,” I cried, shaking my head. “I don’t want you to give it up.” I took his hand and looked into his eyes. “That would be like asking me to give up my store. I know how much it means to you.”
“Well, somethin’s gotta give, sweetheart.” He held my face in his hands. “I’m not givin’ you up.”
I fought through my tears to get the words out. “I never wanted you to quit. I’d never ask you to give up on your dream. I just wish there was a way we could get our schedules a little more in sync. You get home from work late and I leave for work early. And I understand you run a restaurant. I know the hours are different. And it’s not fair for me to ask you to give that up when I’m doing what I really love.”
“I’m not givin’ you up,” he repeated. “I won’t.”
“I don’t want you to.”
“Okay.” He nodded. “I’ll find a way to make it work.”
I was melting on the inside. “It’s not about money, Carter. All I want is your time. Time with you.”
His fingertips slid down my neck as he searched my face. He looked like he was about to devour me.
“I’m sorry I left,” I cried. “The only reason I was so upset last night is because I missed you.”
“I’ve been missing you, too.” He stroked my hair. “I want all of you. I’ve wanted you since the night you chose me by mistake. And I’ve loved you from the moment you said my name.”
Swooning on the spot, I leaned into his kiss as his arms came around me. He kissed me back, and I could taste the salt in his tears. I smiled against his mouth and rubbed the back of his neck, losing my balance.
He picked me up in his arms and walked into my apartment. When he shut the door, I was a goner.
CARTER BLEW IN MY EAR as I lay beside him, his fingers caressing my neck. We were tangled in a blanket on the floor, but I’d never felt better. He looked into my eyes and smiled, snaking his arm around my back.
“Are you goin’ to the gym?” he whispered.
“Not aft
er that.”
He chuckled, leaving sweet kisses down my body. When he touched his nose to mine, I grinned.
“I think we’ve already had our work-out for the day.”
He nodded in that way I adored. When his eyes smiled. I nuzzled his chest and sighed, loving mornings like this. If it were the weekend, I’d be exceptionally lazy and stay wrapped in his arms all day.
“I have to leave soon for work,” I grumbled, running my hands down his back.
“Five more minutes,” he said. He was always such a good negotiator. He knew how to make me give in.
“All right, fine.” I hugged him, nuzzling his chest. “You are warm.”
He kissed my forehead and rubbed my back. In spite of last night, Carter was really sweet. Our conflicting work schedules had been an issue for a while. The fact that we were willing to talk it out and come to a resolution instead of just throwing in the towel had to mean something. If our relationship could withstand last night’s argument, then maybe it was strong enough to handle anything.
“I’ll make breakfast while you get ready,” he volunteered. “You do have to eat.”
“Hmm.” I kissed his shoulder. “I think I just might let you do that.”
He combed his fingers through my hair and stroked my cheek. I felt his eyes on me and looked up.
“Thank you,” I said. “For not giving up on me.”
“I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
It felt like a promise.
I jumped in the shower and got dressed. When I came out, Carter had breakfast on the table. I went into the kitchen to get a cup of tea and kissed him, feeling so much better about everything.
He sat down with me, and I ate with ravenous delight. Carter made the best fried eggs. Maybe it was just because I was starving, but the bacon was out of this world. I’d bought a dozen blueberry muffins at the store a few days ago. He’d heated a couple up for us and slathered them with a dollop of butter.
“This is so good.” I rubbed his hand. “Thank you, baby.”
He kissed me. I felt the smile on his lips. “You’re welcome.”
I finished my plate and drank a small glass of orange juice, keeping an eye on the clock.
“Bailey?” he asked, staring at me with concern. He looked worried, like something was wrong.
“Yeah.” I put all of my focus on him. “What is it?”
“I’ve been meaning to tell you. But we’ve been invited to my parents’ house for Labor Day.”
“You mean, this weekend?” I asked.
“Yeah.” He frowned. “I know it’s last minute. We don’t have to go.” He lowered his head.
“Carter.” I watched him look up at me with wonder. Sometimes, he was so much like a little boy. “I’d love to go.”
“Really?” He sounded shocked.
“Yes.” I squeezed his hand. “I’d love to meet your family.”
“Beth will be there, too.”
“That sounds great.” I stood up and took our dishes to the sink. “We’ll just need to look for a flight.”
He didn’t say anything.
“You weren’t planning on driving. Were you?” I asked.
“No.” He came to me and put his hands on my waist. “I’ll book the tickets. Don’t worry about it.”
“Okay.” I grinned up at my man, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. “I have to go to work.”
“Okay.” He kissed me. A few quick pecks and then another. I didn’t think he was going to let go.
“I have to go to work,” I giggled, pulling away.
“All right. Be a good girl today.” He swatted me on the butt.
“Hey!” I turned around with a big fat grin on my face.
“When you get home tonight, I’ll be waiting.”
I bit my lip and blushed. “Is that a promise?”
He touched my face and kissed me. “I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.”
I grabbed my things and headed for the door. “Bye,” I said, beaming. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
With a heart full of joy, I went to work dazzling with happiness. For the first time, I saw the future. I actually let myself envision a life with Carter. The day-to-day. The late nights making babies or raising them. All the little things that make up the big picture.
And I knew deep down, in my heart of hearts, that he was the one place I was meant to be.
Chapter 19
Carter
Bailey looked so calm. She had the entire flight to Louisiana. That’s what scared me.
My stomach was in knots. I wanted to warn her about what she was getting herself into. But I didn’t want to scare her away. Selfishly, I also didn’t want to face this alone.
I hadn’t been home in more than five years. To be honest, there had been times when I thought I would never come back. And I’d still feel just as adamant about staying away if it hadn’t been for Bailey.
“Is someone picking us up?” Bailey asked as we got our luggage.
“No.” I looked at my phone. “We’re renting a car.”
“Oh.” She slid the strap of her suitcase over her shoulder. “Okay.”
“Trust me,” I said. “You’re going to be happy we have our own method of transportation.”
She didn’t say anything as we walked through the airport. But she did grab my hand and lean into my side. In that moment, I realized how lucky I was to have her. Really, I was lucky that she’d agreed to come at all. So I wrapped my arm around her and planted a kiss on her temple. Then I sent a quick prayer up to heaven that Robert would be gentle.
As I paid for the rental car, Bailey leaned against the counter. “Is everything okay?”
I slid my credit card over the counter. “Yeah. Everything is fine. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I don’t know,” she shrugged with an innocent smile. “You just seem a little... tense.”
“I’m not tense.” I put my wallet in my back pocket as she narrowed her eyes. “What? I’m not.”
“It kind of feels like you don’t want to be here.” She gazed up at me worriedly.
I took her hand and pulled her to the side. “Sweetheart, I’d much rather be in New York with you.”
She blinked several times. “Are you worried about introducing me to your parents? You think they won’t like me or something?”
“No, that’s not it. And if they didn’t, I wouldn’t care. I’m not looking for their approval.”
“Okay.” She smiled with the slightest flush of her cheeks. “Then what is it?” She watched me stare out the window. “You look like you’re ready to get back on the plane.”
“Can we?”
Her eyes widened. “Carter, we just got here.”
“I know.” I nodded, tapping my fingers on the glass. “I was just kidding.”
“Were you?” she asked.
I looked at Bailey and stroked her cheek. “I haven’t been home in a long time. That’s all.”
She furrowed her brow. “How long?”
“Long enough to piss a few people off,” I said.
“Oh. I didn’t know that.”
“I know you didn’t.” I grabbed her hands. “I should have told you sooner.”
“I guess what you’re saying is, we’re about to have an awkward family reunion?”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “Somethin’ like that.”
“That’s okay.” She rubbed my back. “I’m here for you, baby. You don’t have to hide from me.”
I cradled her face in my hands and kissed her. “I know.”
We went outside to wait for the rental car. And I scowled in disgust when it arrived.
“Here you go, sir.” A grease ball of a man stepped out, tossing me the keys. I caught them and felt the teeth cut into my skin. Then I groaned at the ugliest pick-up truck I’d ever laid eyes on.
The paint was chipping and the truck bed was rusted. On a good day, it could pass for forty years old.
“There mus
t be a mistake,” I said. “I specifically asked for a Dodge Durango.”
The man scratched his head, squinting at the pick-up. “Looks close enough to me.”
When he brushed past me, I grabbed his arm. “This is not what I paid for.”
“You lookin’ for a fight, mister?” He spit tobacco on the ground, barely missing my shoe.
“I want what I paid for,” I growled. “Bring me the right car or I want a refund.”
Bailey was quiet as a mouse. I never should have brought her here. Even if I didn’t want to be here. But I wasn’t about to get screwed out of a rental car at the airport in my own hometown.
“Yes, sir.” The man noticed Bailey and smiled. “Comin’ right up.”
He got in the piece of junk and drove off while I stood there steaming. Bailey put her hand on my back, but I couldn’t look at her. The asshole in me was coming out. I hated that she had to see it.
“What do I have to do to get things done right around here?” I said.
“It’s okay,” Bailey whispered. “He’s fixing it. I’m sure it was an honest mistake.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “I don’t think so.”
She looked away, and I knew I’d hurt her feelings.
“You’re too nice,” I whispered, touching the small of her back.
She smiled and looked straight ahead. Then she froze and covered her mouth with her hand.
My new favorite person was back. And he’d brought us a 1960 Chevy pick-up.
The back windshield was cracked. And let’s just say it made the first pick-up look like a godsend.
When he got out, my blood was boiling. But Bailey stepped between us and took the keys.
“Thank you,” she said. “We really appreciate it.”
He looked surprised but gave her a toothy grin. “You’re welcome, darlin’.”
I clenched my hand into a fist. Bailey was the only thing keeping me calm at this point.
He brushed past me and said, “How did you get her?”
I shut my eyes until he was gone. Bailey touched my arm and kissed my cheek. With all the rage I’d been feeling, her sudden affection felt nice. Really nice.
An Agreement (Summer in New York Book 3) Page 22
