“Of course he did. We’ve talked about it. He understood then, but that doesn’t mean he was happy about it. He was just scared something had happened to you. We all were.”
I look over at her, ready to apologize again, but she stops me. “Hey, none of that matters anymore. You’re here. He’s there. And you guys found each other. So what’s the next step?”
“Who knows…” I sink down onto the couch more, resting my head against the back. “We’re heading home in a few hours.”
“Do you think you’ll get back together with him? Wait, didn’t you mention something about his best friend?”
I drop my head to my chest. Cole.
I was so wrapped up with being home, then talking to Carter again that I almost completely forgot about Cole.
Almost.
“Do you like this guy?”
I shrug.
“Were you guys serious?”
“Not really. I mean, we hooked up a few times at the club and then when I realized he was my professor—”
“What?” She jumps up. “Your professor?”
Laughing, I admit, “Yeah, I enrolled in an intro to law class, and he was my professor.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
“Right? I was all excited when I realized it, but then we got to know each other, and one thing led to another…” I don’t complete that sentence. No need to. “He asked me to quit going to the club to exclusively date him.”
“And you said yes?”
“I wasn’t exactly sure. I haven’t dated anyone since Carter. I was willing to give it a try, but the next day everything blew up, and I realized it was Carter, and here we are.”
“So…have you talked to this guy?”
“No.”
“But he’s Carter’s friend?”
“I guess. We haven’t talked about it, but I know they know each other.”
I take a deep breath, standing up before I say, “I’ve got to go pack. Carter’s going to be here pretty soon, and I have to shower and get ready first.”
Kaitlyn nods, and I walk down the hallway with a mess of thoughts running through my head. After jumping in the shower, I let the hot water pound down on my chest before I walk my head under the stream, letting it fall down my face, and hide the tears that instantly start to fall.
* * *
Sayinggoodbye to Kaitlyn was harder than I thought it would be, but I promised her I’d keep in touch, and we even planned a trip for her to come visit me in San Francisco.
Carter and I were able to switch seats with other passengers so we could sit together. We were both exhausted from our night of talking so, thankfully, I was able to lift my armrest and curl up next to him to sleep the entire flight home. Being back in his arms felt so real. So right. Like the past ten years hadn’t happened, and we are the same two people.
“So you’ll come to the drive tomorrow?” Carter asks, standing at my doorway after he walked me to my place.
“Of course. Do I get to meet the little guy too?”
Carter laughs to himself. “He’d like that.”
“He would?” I ask, a little confused.
“Yeah. He knows all about you.”
“He does?”
“Let’s just say he’s given me advice a time or two.”
“How old is he?” I ask in disbelief.
He shakes his head. “Never mind.” He leans in to kiss my lips softly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow…” I whisper as he walks away, and I shut the door.
