18
CARTER
“What are you in the mood for?” Avery still looks a little nervous as she sits in the passenger seat of my truck, but at least she’s here with me. I’ll eat any damn thing she wants.
“Doesn’t matter. What are you in the mood for?”
You. But I keep that response to myself so she doesn’t completely hide away from me. “There’s a good steak house nearby.”
“Sounds good.”
At the restaurant, only one couple recognizes me, but they don’t approach. Not many do in general, but it’s something I’m definitely hoping to avoid on my first official date with Avery. We’re seated quickly and I don’t miss the way she glances around the restaurant.
“Is it always like that?” Avery asks as I watch her.
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Smiling and answering the same questions over and over.”
“Pretty much.”
“Thanks again for doing it at the store. Dad is still on cloud nine. But I think it’s more because he has new customers to get to know now.” She smiles. “He makes a point to know every customer by name and what they purchase when they come in. Presley once suggested that we assign numbers to the customer roster and Dad completely lost it. You’d have thought she’d suggested throwing their names in the burn pile. He’s always said the personal touch is what brings them back to the store.”
“So, did you work there growing up?”
“Yep. Still do during summer break. I actually enjoy it. I love getting to spend that time with family—except for Rhett, he tends to drive everyone crazy.” She laughs as she speaks of her younger brother.
“Yeah. He seems like a character, much like his nephew.” I point to my forehead. “Is he always so fearless?”
“Yep. Tessa complains, says we all spoil him, but it’s hard not to.”
“I can understand why.”
We fall into an easy conversation, talking about her family mostly, although it does move to mine occasionally, and I’m able to answer with ease. It’s never been this comfortable and effortless with anyone. Or maybe I never cared to put the energy in before since I’d always questioned their motives. And now that I know what she’s had in her mind, it makes sense why she’d been standoffish before. Although, I can still sense that she has one eye on me, and one constantly glancing over her shoulder, watching for a runner to steal a base while trying to keep focused on the pitch being delivered to the person at the plate. I won’t aim for the stands. I’ll bunt, keep the ball in play until she’s able to recognize the only game I’m playing is the one where catching and keeping her makes me the winner. And it’s a good decision, the meal goes well.
Afterwards, as we walk to my truck, I decide （against my better judgment） to say what I’m thinking aloud. “I know it’s late, but I’m not ready for the night to end.”
And I’m freakin’ ecstatic when she responds, “Me neither.”
“Do you want to go somewhere or back to your place or mine?” I tried to make my innocent suggestion obvious but the statement is loaded with assumptions, so I clarify, “No expectations. I just want to hang out a little longer. We can watch a movie or whatever.”
“Okay.” She agrees, but I sense her reluctance.
We decide on my place, and once I pull in the driveway, I feel her unease notch up.
“Avery, let me know when you’re ready to call it a night, even if it’s now.”
“I’m not ready yet.” She gives me a reassuring smile that doesn’t put my mind to rest. But at least she’s not running.
Leading her into the house, we step into the kitchen, and I grab a bottle of water for her. As she accepts it, she stares at me for the first time like I’m a stranger. I immediately miss the familiarity in her eyes, there’s a hint of darkness, and it nearly makes my stomach turn to think I’ll lose that light I’ve come to crave when I look into her hazel eyes.
Stepping in front of her, her hip leans against the counter as I prop my hands on the stone countertop on either side of her, searching her eyes. “What are you thinking?”
“It’s just … more than I was expecting.” Her eyes dart over my shoulder. “I mean, my entire apartment fits in your kitchen.”
“Don’t. Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Look at me differently, like everyone else does. All it is is a big empty house that my agent picked out for me. I didn’t want to move back to this town, so I had zero desire to house shop.”