His eyes move over me, then his expression softens. “Wow,” he says so softly it almost seems more like he’s talking to himself. “Wow.”
“You look really nice, Carter.” This is the first time we’ve seen each other today, and he’s so handsome, I can hardly catch my breath.
“You look like you need a drink,” he teases.
I chuckle. “I’m sure.”
Carter takes a step forward and holds out his hand. “Friendly hug?”
I nod and slip my fingers into his, letting him tug me into his arms. I breathe in his familiar scent, letting his solid presence ground me.
Despite all the painting and decorating and Carter’s very busy game schedule, we’ve still managed to spend quite a bit of time together over the last six weeks. We’ve eaten meals together, watched movies together, spent time with Poppy and Olive while their parents got much-needed alone time.
I’ve gotten to know his brother and FaceTimed with his mom. I’ve attended two different events with his teammates and the other Jaguars wives and girlfriends.
In all that time, we’ve gotten to be really good friends.
Justfriends, apparently. Turns out, establishing the ground rules of our relationship really helped knock us ontothe same page, though I’m beginning to think I was the only one who needed the reminder. Carter isvery goodat following the rules. Almost too good.
I, on the other hand, have to remind myself regularly to ignore how steady he makes me feel. How he always seems to say exactly the right thing. Not to mention how incredibly handsome he is.
“I’m kidding about the drink,” Carter says, lifting his hand to brush a strand of hair away from my face. “You’re stunning.” His hand lingers on my cheek for a long moment before he lets it fall. He tilts his head toward the living room on the other side of the wall. “Is it all the people? If it is, I can tell half of them to wait outside.”
I manage a smile as I shake my head. “Don’t make anyone leave.”
He nods. “Are you having second thoughts?”
I look up into his earnest blue eyes. “That’s not it either.”
“Okay.” He says this with zero judgment and zero sense of urgency. It’s clear he’ll stay in this bathroom and talk to me all day if that’s what I need. “Do you want to tell me what it is, then?”
I drop my eyes to the floor, smoothing my hands down the front of my dress. “I’m not sure it’s one particular thing. I just…got really overwhelmed, all of a sudden. Things are feeling very…permanent, you know?”
He waves a hand like it’s no big deal. “Nah. You’ll be on your own in no time. I’ve seen what’s going into your gallery show. You aren’t going to need me for long, not once you’re famous.”
Ha. Famous.Famous in the art world doesn’t come close toactuallyfamous, but I appreciate his vote of confidence anyway. “You make itsound so easy.”
“You’remakingit easy,” he says. “I’m only buying you a little time.”
Of all the things Carter has given me in the past six weeks, his belief in me as an artist might be the most significant. While Miles is still dropping not-so-subtle hints about teaching, Carter hasn’t mentioned it once. He talks like qualifying for an O-1 visa is a natural next step for me, like the requirements aren’t a big deal at all. Even though he’s the one who has every right to urge me to pursue what would get me a visa the fastest, he doesn’t seem concerned.
He keeps using that word.Extraordinary.Like it’s a foregone conclusion I’ll get there without any trouble.
Like always, Carter’s presence works wonders on my nervous system, and after a few more moments of deep breathing, I feel calm enough to leave the bathroom. “Okay. I think I can do this.” I look toward the door. “Should we go?”
“Actually, since we’re here…” His words trail off, and I sense a new trepidation that wasn’t there moments before.
“What is it?” I quickly say.
He shakes his head like he’s reconsidered. “Actually, just forget it. It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. You can’t stand in here and talk me out of an anxiety attack and then dismiss your own feelings like they’re nothing.”
He runs a hand across his face, leaving his hand over his mouth like he’s afraid to speak. “It’s dumb,” he says, his voice muffled by his fingers.
“I’m sure it isn’t.”
Finally, he sighs and drops his hand. “I was just…feeling a little nervous about kissing you in front of so many people. I know it’s not the first time, but it’s been aminute since our last kiss, and they’re all going to be watching us so closely. I want it to be convincing.”
