Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
A pit settles in the bottom of my gut as I realize that wherever we’re going, we won’t have to worry about being seen together. I haven’t mentioned it to Carter, but I’m no longer comfortable sneaking around. I don’t like keeping secrets from Noah. But most of all, I’m not interested in being someone’s dirty little secret.
Maybe at first it was fun and exciting.
But now…
It just feels wrong.
In the back of my mind I know that I need to end this fling. That’s all it is and all it will ever be. I don’t see us riding off into the sunset together. That thought brings a pang of sadness to my heart as I sneak a glance at Carter. My belly flutters as my gaze settles on him. It’s shocking to realize that I actually like Carter as a person. He’s funny and sweet. Not to mention, smart.
God…he’s so smart that it’s annoying.
How’s that for a kick in the pants?
But the fact that he’s taking me more than an hour away from campus, so we can be together without the fear of exposure, dampens any joy I’d felt at the prospect of going out together.
I yank my gaze from his profile and stare out the window. I’m so lost in my thoughts and the decisions I’m going to be forced to make, that I don’t realize he’s thrown the car into park and is facing me.
“We’re here,” Carter says as he reaches over to unsnap my seatbelt.
“Oh.”
I blink back to the present and notice that we’ve pulled into a parking lot. A lake sparkles in the distance. A dense forest surrounds a good portion of it and there’s a sandy beach to the right. Tall pines spear into the sky.
“It’s beautiful.” I sit motionless as my gaze scans the horizon. “Where are we?”
“Caledonia State Park.” A smile curves his lips.
The way his expression softens holds my attention. Happiness radiates off him in waves. Not only can I see the change in his demeanor, I can feel it. I’ve never seen him this lighthearted.
“Ready?” Carter pops open the trunk before exiting the Mustang. Going around to the back of the car, he pulls out a basket and blanket before slamming it shut.
Even though my mind registers the items, I still ask, “What’s that?” My voice comes out sounding thick and slow.
He glances at the basket in his hand as if seeing it for the first time. “If I had to take a guess,” he smirks, eyes crinkling with humor. “I’d say it looks like a picnic basket.”
How many times have I seen this playful side to Carter?
Not many. He’s usually more reserved and self-contained.
“Yes, I can see that,” I say with smile. “I’m just confused as to why you have it.”
One side of his mouth curves into a lopsided smile. “I thought we could have lunch here since neither of us had class this afternoon.”
Carter Prescott packed me a picnic lunch?
What the hell is going on here?
A gesture like this seems almost…romantic.
I swallow past the lump of emotion wedged in the middle of my throat as he holds out his hand for me to take. With our fingers clasped, we walk about twenty yards toward the lake. The park is surprisingly empty for such a beautiful day. Other than a few boats on the lake, we have the place to ourselves.
He sets the basket down and spreads out the blanket on a grassy bank about thirty feet from the edge of the water. Once it’s been smoothed out, we both settle on it.
“Hungry?” he asks, opening the basket and unloading its contents.
“Starving,” I admit.
He pulls out plates, napkins, a bowl of fruit, two sandwiches, a few bags of potato chips, and water.
“Wow, this looks great.” My mind cartwheels, unable to believe that he put so much thought into it.
Silently we unwrap our sandwiches and bite into them. My gaze cruises over the scenery. This place is gorgeous and peaceful, but it doesn’t stop my previous thoughts from buzzing around in my head. The last time I asked questions and demanded answers, he refused to give them. I don’t want to ruin this moment or the effort he’s put into making it happen, but I feel another conversation brewing between us.
Once we’ve demolished our lunches, Carter stretches out on the blanket. He folds his arms behind him and rests his head on stacked hands. His gaze captures mine easily.
“Come here,” he whispers.
He doesn’t need to ask twice. I scramble over and lay my head against his chest, inhaling a breath of him before closing my eyes and melting into his warmth. Somehow, in this moment, everything feels perfect. I’m not fooling myself into believing that it’s actually perfect. I know damn well that it’s not. There are too many questions and uncertainties. But for now, with the sun shining on my face, the wind sliding over my heated flesh, and my belly full of the lunch Carter packed for us, I feel content.