“Home.” It should’ve been obvious.
“We haven’t had breakfast yet.”
“And we’re not going to,” I retorted, not looking at him.
His hands went to circle my arms, pulling me to him.
“Carter–” I started, holding my hand between our two bodies.
“You can’t even look at me?”
The plea in his voice grabbed me.
“That’s better.”
“Carter, I really have to go.”
“Why?”
I sighed, growing irritated. “Do you remember when you told me that you wanted me to know everything about you?” I waited for his response.
“Of course.”
“Well, there’s one thing you need to know and understand about me. His name is Diego. Last night you asked if I was married or had a boyfriend. The answer is no on both accounts, but I do have someone in my life, and yes it’s a he. He is the most important thing in the world to me and I can’t … No, Iwon’tallow myself to be another man’s plaything, at the risk of losing my son. I have to go.”
I broke away from his grasp, retrieved my purse from the nightstand, and rushed to the door.
Don’t look back. Don’t look back. Don’t …
That time, I listened to the chant in my head and kept moving forward until I was out of the bedroom door, moving to the front door of the guesthouse. Despite my being out of his line of sight, it was as if I could feel his eyes on my back. Even as I made my way up the walkway and around the front of the property to where my car sat, it felt as if his eyes were still on me. I pushed that feeling down, instead choosing to remember that I was going home to my son, who was the most important person in my life. Nothing else mattered as long as I had him. I would use that knowledge as a band-aid over the heartache I felt driving away from Townsend Manor and Carter.
****
“Heads up, big wig coming in,” Natoi ran to my office, knocking on my door and announcing.
I frowned at her from behind my desk, and whispered, “Who?”
“Aaron Townsend, and according to the downstair’s receptionist he does not look happy.”
Oh shit!
“I wonder what happened Friday night. Nancy said everything ran smoothly. You heard anything?” Natoi questioned, obviously not picking up on my nervousness.
“No,” I went back to typing, “not a thing.” Maybe this had nothing at all to do with me.
“He’s here. Shame that man is always frowning. He would be a looker. I could wipe that frown right off his face,” Natoi giggled.
“Natoi!” I chastised.
“I’m just sayin’.”
“Get back to work. I need the layout of the McDonald event,” I swiftly reminded her, needing something to take my mind off my own anxiousness.
Natoi left and soon enough I heard footsteps coming down the hall. I turned to look out the glass window of my door and caught the dark gaze of Aaron Townsend. Nancy was already next to him, talking away as she normally did, but his eyes were on me. They narrowed as he passed my door, not leaving me until he was well past. If I had any question as to whether he was there because of what he saw occur between Carter and I, it was just answered. I wondered if it was time to begin typing up a resignation letter, or better yet, update my resume.
“Michelle, can I speak with you?” Nancy questioned, poking her head in my office about twenty minutes later.
“Yes, come in,” I stated, sitting up straighter in my chair.
