“Then maybe your decision shouldn’t be about Carter and more on what you want from this residency, and does it really help push you further in your career?” She rose from her chair at the buzz from a patient’s room. “I’ll miss you, but from what I see, you can apply for a job here or anywhere and kill it right now. I gotta check on 10E.”
I flopped my head back and swirled in the chair. Decisions. Decisions. My cell buzzed in my pocket.
Why did some strange woman who has a pet snake come into the clinic, though my sign clearly says an urgent care for all animals except reptiles? Had the nerve to try to hit on me with that snake slithering around, who then tried to bite me.
I chuckled. Carter had an affinity for all animals except insects and reptiles. He hated snakes with a passion.
Please say you didn’t cut up too badly?
I kept a poker face while that damn thing scared me shitless. I need a bigger sign that says “No snakes allowed.”
Poor baby. I’ll give you a nice hug when I see you.
I need that and a kiss. Leaving the clinic earlier than I thought. Can you get off now?
Giddy feelings easily replaced my worry. I loved it when Carter picked me up. The simple act made me feel cared for and wanted. I texted back.
Yes. My home or yours? We can always do the gift baskets later.
Doesn’t matter. Wherever you are is starting to be home for me.
My cheeks burned from the wide grin on my face, and I dreamily rose from my chair to get back to caring for patients. My career was slowly taking a backseat to love.
Usually, a fourteen-hour shift left me exhausted and drained. Watching Carter, rocking a blue knit cap and brown leather jacket to fight off the evening’s chill, getting out of the car to open my door, re-energized me. Instead of three weeks, it felt like three years of being together. No matter how tired I was, I wanted to see him and be with him. He or I would fall asleep while he massaged my feet or we watched TV, and I didn’t care. We were content with being homebodies.
Carter pecked my lips and hugged me tightly in his strong embrace, and when he tried to pull away, I held on. “Did anyone ever tell you that you give good hugs?”
His deep chuckle reverberated against my ear. “No, but I have heard I give good dick.”
“Facts.” I looked up at him. “All day I’ve been waiting to see you again. Couldn’t stop smiling because I have a new man. That is what you are to me, right?”
“Yes.” He arched a brow. “Don’t know why you’re asking that when I made my intentions clear day one.”
“With men, women need to have it spelled out to us.” I kissed his bearded chin before he assisted me in his Navigator.
Carter peered in the car. “If we don’t work, we break up. If we do, we marry.”
“You make that seem so simple.”
“It’s a relationship. Either it ends in marriage, or we break up.”
I reminded him, “Some couples are together forever and never marry.”
“I don’t want that. I’ve been married and had a live-in girlfriend. Prefer marriage.”
“Me too.” Satisfied that we were on the same page, I settled into the leather and allowed the seat to adjust to me.
After he buckled himself in, Carter stifled a yawn and started the car. “You still need my help with those Christmas baskets?”
I wagged my finger. “Nope. Stop it. Can’t get out of it. All that yawning and it’s not even seven.”
“I wasn’t trying to get out of it. Thinking you and your mama can handle it, while I cook y’all dinner and watch basketball. Your mama like shrimp pasta, right?”
“It’s her fave. You really do listen.” I grabbed his chin and kissed him. “If this is a dream, please don’t wake me up.”
His eyes suddenly shuttered, and he started driving.
“Hey...hey, what just happened?” I tapped his arm.
