Page 43 of Working for the Runaway Bride

“She was upset.”

“She was still wearing my ring,” Carter says.

I have no defense. He’s right. Whatever he did, Molly was still engaged to him when I kissed her.

I knew it.

I did it anyway.

“You kissed my fiancée.”

“Yes.”

“My father kissed my fiancée.”

My chest tightens.

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?”

Carter closes the distance between us.

Molly catches my arm. “Carter, stop.”

He ignores her. Carter looks at me. His fist moves before I can react. Or maybe I see it and choose not to move. His knuckles strike my cheekbone. Pain explodes across the side of my face. My head snaps back, and the ice cream falls from my hand. The carton bursts against the pavement, sending chocolate across the toe of my boot.

Molly screams. I stagger one step but stay upright. Carter shakes his hand.

“Grayson!” Molly grabs my arm.

I touch my face. My fingers come away with a streak of blood from the corner of my mouth.

Carter stares at it.

For a second, shock replaces his fury.

Then anger takes over again.

“Hit me back,” he says.

I lower my hand. “No.”

“Come on.”

“No.”

“Fight me.”

“I’m not fighting you.”

I see the moment Molly realizes we have an audience. The color drains from her face. The staff entrance opens. Principal Hargrove strides outside.

“What is happening here?”

Molly closes her eyes.

Carter takes a step back.