She replied, “I’m completely single. Have been for three years.”
Relief released the breath I didn’t know I held.
Brooklyn’s eyes narrowed before she picked up my hand and trailed her finger on my pulse. “Your heart is beating fast.” She brought my wrist to her mouth and pressed her lips slowly against it before raising her gaze to mine, still holding my hand near her face. “When you pick me up tomorrow morning at ten, let’s go grocery shopping first.”
I simply nodded, wondering if she knew that what she did had to be one of the most erotic moves I’d ever experienced.
She opened the door and slipped out without another word.
Now, I wondered ifshewas a dream.
Chapter 3
Brooklyn
Be there in fifteen.
A text had never brought me so much anticipation and anxiety that I had to pace my living room, which had become exponentially smaller because of the big ass Christmas tree that I insisted on buying. The seven-foot pre-lit tree filled most of my living room in the modest three-bedroom, two-bath home I shared with my mother.
I stopped wearing down the hardwood floor long enough to adjust a silver ornament that barely hung on the branch. At least, my mother and aunt had already left for Vegas. I didn’t want to tell them about Carter yet. They might have changed their minds and stuck around to meet him, and their advice on how to hook a man like him for life would only make me more nervous. Auntie was worse than my mother about relationship advice since she’d been married forever. I never told her that I didn’t want a love like hers that seemed one-sided in the sacrifices she’d made to be with her husband.
Nope. If I’d married Bishop, that would’ve been our love. He believed that the man was the head of the household, period. And I had to fall in line. I still questioned why I thought that would work when I didn’t even trust he would have my best interests at heart.
Oh, I remember.
My biological clock started screaming, and desperation crawled in.
Thankfully, I was older and wiser and already resolved that marriage and family may not be my ever after. I valued Mama’sadvice most of the time, but I had to do this on my own and see if Carter and I would see each other past tomorrow. My hang-ups and his tenacity might be a recipe for disaster.Could I really let go of my past experiences with men and focus on the blank slates of the present and the future?
But God, take the wheel because I wanted Carter St. Patrick.
I liked that man. I liked his aura. Carter’s earnest and flirtatious energy. His honesty and openness about his intentions and the life he envisioned for himself, which might or might not include me. The fact that he chose one of the most romantic settings to talk. A place that I’d been alone and wished I had male companionship quite often. The fact that he carried me when I told him I was tired. More importantly, the fact that he was nervous about me liking him and the beat of his racing heart matched mine. In that moment, I wanted to soothe him. I wanted to take care of him as if he were my man. A feeling I don’t believe I ever had. He became real to me in the close confines of his car. I exited when I did because the need to ease on his lap and kiss him overwhelmed.
My pink carry-on bag by the door, like I was going on a trip, haunted me, begged me to reopen and change what I packed for the umpteenth time. Do I go for sexy, casual with a sweater dress and wedges? Or just casual, leggings, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes? I had a worn jersey with his number on it that I packed, though I wasn’t sure I would have the nerve to wear it. I didn’t want to remind him that I was a fan when he preferred to be treated like a normal man, an incredibly hard feat when Carter glossed magazine covers for his talents and his looks. A superstar athlete who also appeared to be a faithful family man until a scandal broke out about his affair with a bisexual woman and the mother of his outside child, Sekani St. Patrick. I’d just started my residency three years ago, when Carter strode past me looking for Sekani’s hospital room. He’d been a frantic, worried father,and my admiration for him as a football player expanded to him as a man.
The doorbell rang, startling me. I inhaled and exhaled before opening the door.
Damn. Damn. Damn.
God took his sweet time with Carter. Rich, mocha skin with a bright smile that instantly warmed his face even if he’d just finished frowning. Sculpted cheekbones, broad forehead, thick brows, a groomed mustache and beard, and soft waves that had been cut since yesterday. He had the right height and build to make any-sized woman look perfect by his side. The burgundy Henley shirt that clung to his muscles and jeans complemented the white V-neck sweater, jeans, and long camel boots I wore.
His appreciative gaze traveled my body. “You look good.”
“Likewise.” I stepped back, and the colder-than-expected air nipped at me. “Want to come in for a second. I need to grab my jacket. Thought my sweater would be enough.”
“Yeah. Want to see more of this Christmas Wonderland you have behind you.” He stepped inside, closed the door, and began admiring the festive tree and the décor scattered throughout the foyer, living room, and kitchen, courtesy of my mother and me. We both loved this time of the year and had a tradition of decorating on November 1st.
I backed up, placing distance between us. His very male presence suddenly intimidated me.
“I love that you’re already in the Christmas spirit.” As Carter slowly moved around my living room, the space seemed to shrink before my eyes. My face felt hot. “Maybe you can help me decorate my home, too. We could pick out a real tree.”
“Um...feel free to sit or stand...” I stuttered before turning to walk away.
Carter quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me to him. “Hey...hey, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t think I’m ready,” I admitted, staring at his broad chest, unable to meet the concern or frustration I’m sure I would see in his face. “Sorry...I’m so sorry for making you drive out this way. It’s just Wednesday. You have time to catch a flight to Dallas and be with your people.”
“Whoa... whoa. Brooklyn, we don’t have to move fast. I didn’t mean to scare you. Just wanted you to know my intentions.”
