It probably wasn’t all that hard to read.
“I really didn’t do much,” I said, because I couldn’t follow a simple instruction without arguing about it. “Went along with a crazy idea, fell off a ladder, existed. You don’t need to thank me.”
“I do,” Hallie said, reaching out to take my hand and holding it between both of hers. “And it’s my wedding, so you have to let me.” She beamed.
She was so pretty. Good looks definitely ran in the family.
“Well, you’re welcome, then. And tell Damien if he ever hurts you, I know a six-three florist whose biceps I can barely get both hands around who owes me a few favors.”
Hallie laughed. “HowisMorgan?”
“He’s fine. Just went to bed after I—”
Poured my heart out to him about how I’m in love with your brother but can’t say anything.
“Texted him good night,” I finished, hoping Hallie wouldn’t think anything of the pause.
Hallie’s eyes lit up. “You’re adorable. Are you two finally dating?”
I snorted. “No. No, definitely not. Morgan’s sweet, but he’s so not my type.”
Without missing a beat, Hallie looked over her shoulder directly at Carter. “Yeah, no, thought so. No one’s that good an actor. Even if Carter maybe can’t see it.”
“I…”
Dammit.
She’d seen right through me. What was the point in denying it? I hated to lie to anyone, and Hallie had never done me any harm.
“We’ve… been getting along,” I said, wondering if that sounded worse thanyeah, I’ve had a crush on him since tenth grade. It definitely made it sound like Carter was involved.
Hallie’s eyes widened. Yeah. Worse than having a crush on him.
“Donottell me the details, but have you two been…?”
“A gentleman never kisses and tells,” I said, which was absolute confirmation that I’d been screwing her brother, and I knew it as soon as the words escaped me.
“Holy shit.”
Fuck. I couldn’t even have a simple conversation without screwing something up, could I?
“If he told you this is all fake, then that’s what he wants you to believe,” I said. “And I think he was just… unsure of himself and taking advantage of having someone really bi and really easy on hand.”
Why was I still talking? These were Carter’s secrets.
I was such a screwup. I’d always known I didn’t deserve him, but this confirmed it. He’d told Hallie this was fake,thatwas what he wanted her to believe.
Which was proof-positive that this was a limited time arrangement and Carter was going back to his old life right after. What else would he do? Move back to Slow Falls and come pick me up from the shop every afternoon with a cup of coffee and the promise of a great blowjob when we got home to my tiny, crappy apartment?
No, obviously not.
He’d head back to New York and I’d maybe see him for Kieran’s birthday. Maybe I’d even drag him down to my level and make out with him in Kieran’s bathroom until he came in his pants and we both left the party separately, drenched in different kinds of shame.
Unless he’d already found someone else by then. Kieran was a June baby. No reason a man like Carter couldn’t find a hundred people to love him in four and a half months.
He didn’t need one of them to be me. Whatever Morgan said.
“Doesn’t sound like Carter at all,” Hallie said. “I don’t think he’s had a hookup in his entire life.”
