“This is why you’ve always hated him?” Zack asks, and I nod. “Was the guy he was talking to a redheaded guy with a beard?”
“Simmons?” Carter asks hotly. “That asshole?”
Zack grins. “Luna, Carter had my back with that guy. Simmons was, and still is, an opportunistic weasel in a thrift store suit. He was always trying to horn in on my leads, undercut me. Carter was trying to run him off my coattails by telling him I was a crap developer. He wasn’t betraying me.”
And that’s it . . . betrayal. All these years, I’ve thought Carter betrayed my brother. Even through this whole fake marriage thing, even when he’s been giving me pleasure I’ve never known, I didn’t trust him because I knew what he was capable of. It wasn’t actively in my mind, but a feeling I’ve had of him since. If he could betray my brother, the most loyal person I know, Carter could betray anyone. So despite Zack thinking I’m na?ve, I’ve maybe been harsher on Carter than I should’ve been.
Because if he didn’t betray Zack and was, in fact, helping him . . . what does that mean?
I’ve felt the changes in Carter. I’ve seen a completely different side of him as he works and deals with his family. I’ve experienced how generous he can be. None of which made sense with my preconceived notions about him. I guess, in a way, I was letting those notions go as I’ve gotten to know Carter better already, but knowing he didn’t betray Zack makes me a little more comfortable in continuing down this path with Carter. If he’s not and never was a two-faced liar, then he really is trying to do something good for Blue Lake and for Elena.
I’m quiet for a long moment, and Carter gives me the time to process all that. When I look at him with an apology in my eyes, he places a sweet, soft peck to my lips. Apology accepted, his kiss says.
“Now that we’ve handled all that,” Carter starts, and when he pauses, Zack dips his chin once, apparently over the bro-code drama already. “Will you be my best man?”
Stupidly, I think he’s asking me at first, and I look up from our connected hands and say, “Huh?” But he’s looking at Zack with the hope of their history in his eyes.
Carter and I haven’t talked about his whole ‘real proposal’ and my sex-induced answer, but that doesn’t seem to be an issue for him. He’s going full-steam ahead like this is actually happening.
Is it happening?
I mean, I know it’s for the Cartwright deal and to save face with his dad, but that doesn’t mean it’s fake. Not like it has been. Does Carter really mean for us to sign a marriage certificate, stand up with a best man and maid of honor, and say vows? Move in together like he suggested last night and keep having sex? Like . . . married-married?
That's a very different situation than I ever agreed to. Technically.
And though I always imagined myself getting married, I assumed it would be for love. Not for art or business. Even so, when I see how earnestly Carter is looking at Zack, as though this is an actual moment honoring their friendship, I can’t help but be moved.
I kick Zack under the table and he flinches. “Oww!” Rubbing his shin, he looks at me angrily. In return, I shoot daggers at him.
I drop my voice, trying to sound like Zack. “I’d be honored. Say it, numb nuts.”
Zack and Carter chuckle, both of their heads dropping in disbelief.
Holding out a hand to Carter across the table, Zack sighs. “Apparently, I’d be honored.” I have to admit, my imitation was close. Most folks wouldn’t have even heard the difference in our two voices. “Though I reserve the right to kick your ass again. One punch hardly seems fair.”
“Zack!” I shout too loudly.
But Carter nods. “Deal.”
Men are so frustrating.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE
LUNA
“Are you sure about this?” Samantha asks me for the millionth time.
My answer is the same as every time before. “No. I’m not sure about anything at this point!”
My hands are flailing, my heart is racing, and I’ve probably walked at least a mile in the last ten minutes around Carter’s bedroom. I heard about a guy who ran a marathon on his balcony, going back and forth from one end to the other in a nearly never-ending loop of dedicated absurdity. But right now, I have more than enough energy to do that. I could probably high-knee it with the levels of nervous vibes I’m dealing with.
Sam steps in front of me with her hands up to stop my progress across the room. Except it doesn’t work because I’m lost in my own mind and walk right into her, boob smacking boob in quite the bumper collision. “Hey!”
“Who would’a thought you’d be hitting second base on your wedding day with someone other than the groom?” Sam laughs. “You’re turning into a regular, everyday whore, aren’t you?”
“I am no such thing! And keep your voice down!” I clamp my hand over her mouth, looking at the closed door. “Carter and Zack are going to hear.”
It’s weird, thinking of them getting dressed in Carter’s guest bedroom. Carter insisted, though, saying it was only right for me and Samantha to use his primary bedroom with the attached bathroom. The ceremony, if you can call it that, is going to be in the living room.
It’s only been two days since the dinner with Zack, and in the interim, he’s tried to talk me out of this decision, worrying I’m on some people-pleasing, misguided mission. Meanwhile, Samantha’s been trying to talk me into it, waxing poetic about the value of having an adventure and living boldly in my youth as if she’s not the same age I am.
And Carter, in full-blown fiancé mode, has been listening to me go back and forth indecisively and then leaving me mindless with back-bowing orgasm after orgasm. After our initial miscommunication, he’s been more than happy to help me ‘practice’ things I’ve only imagined before. And though I’ve never been an athlete, I’m starting to understand the value of the ‘two-a-days’ type practice they do.
Carter’s also found time in between orgasms to order dozens of white roses. Samantha and I made a quick trip to the boutique to see Brenda for a white dress, and most surprisingly, Carter suggested that we do our own vows. Which I guess is good because the standard ones aren’t exactly appropriate for what we’re doing. There’s no love, honor, and obey here.
No forever either.
Quick, simple, easy. That’s the theme of the day. It’s real, but not.
Samantha licks my palm, and I recoil, freeing her to mouth off again. “Who cares? It’s not real, remember?”
Samantha’s being flippant, but there’s a spark of intelligence in her eyes. She knows what she’s doing by pushing me. In return, I start pacing again. “I care,” I admit. “I didn’t always have dreams like other kids, but the day I got married? I imagined that, and it wasn’t this.”
“But this is a paperwork thing to help a friend, not a real marriage. Like a green card situation,” Samantha reasons. “So later, when you meet Mr. Right and want to marry for love, you’ll have the dream wedding then. I’ll make sure of it.”
Her words toss around in my head. Helping a friend. Like a green card situation. Which is illegal, but what I’m doing with Carter isn’t wrong to that degree. It’s just crazy and not the kind of thing that happens to people like me. I’m boring, strange, and close to being a hermit.