The accusation stings, even though he’s right. “I didn’t plan for this to happen.”
“Nobody ever does.” Ralph stands, straightening his tie. “Just… be careful. Whatever this is, make sure it’s worth the risk.”
He leaves me sitting there, chest tight, the weight of his warning pressing down until I can barely breathe.
By the time five o’clock rolls around, I’ve convinced myself that Ralph is right. I need to end this before it gets worse. Before someone else notices. Before I lose everything I’ve worked for.
I text Carter.
We need to talk.
His response is immediate.
That sounds ominous.
Your place. 7pm.
I’ll order food.
Don’t.
The drive to Carter’s house feels longer than it should. Every red light gives me time to rehearse what I’m going to say. Every turn brings me closer to a conversation I don’t want to have but know I need to.
By the time I pull through his gates, my hands are shaking.
Carter opens the door before I can knock, concern etched across his face. “Hey.”
“Hi.” The word comes out smaller than I intended.
He steps aside, letting me in, and the familiar scent of his cologne hits me. It would be so easy to just forget everything. To let him pull me close and pretend the outside world doesn’t exist.
But Ralph’s words echo in my head.You don’t create messes.
“What’s wrong?” Carter asks, closing the door behind me.
I turn to face him, arms crossed over my chest like armor. “People are noticing.”
His jaw tightens. “Noticing what?”
“Us, Carter. They’re noticingus.”
He takes a step closer, and I force myself not to move back. “So what? Let them notice.”
“You don’t understand—”
“Then explain it to me.” His voice is calm but firm. “Because from where I’m standing, the only problem is that you’re scared.”
“Of course I’m scared!” The words burst out louder than I intended. “This could destroy my career. Your reputation. Everything we’ve both worked for.”
Carter’s expression softens. “Olivia—”
“Ralph pulled me aside today,” I continue, needing to get it all out before I lose my nerve. “He knows something’s going on. And if he knows, Mark will know soon. And when Mark finds out…” I trail off, unable to finish the sentence.
“When Mark finds out, we’ll deal with it.” Carter closes the distance between us, hands finding my shoulders. “Together.”
I want to believe him. Want to let myself fall into the safety of his certainty. But the reality is too harsh, too real.
“It’s not that simple.”
