I pause because I know I shouldn’t say. I know it.
“What? Shouldn’t say what?”
“I shouldn’t say that since I saw you at the co-op, you’re all I’ve thought about. I know we’re friends, and I’m not trying to change that, but I’m also not going to deny that I’m attracted to you. Your curves are...”
I stop, because I can’t be crude with her.
“They’re what... my curves are what?”
I sigh in frustration and run my hand through my hair. I’m thinking about the way her jeans hugged her ass in the store and the way her hips swayed under her dress and the way her breasts jiggle when she walks. “Your curves are beautiful. They make grown men ache like they’re teenage boys again. I would plead and make deals with the devil himself to wrap my arms around you and hold on to your curvy hips, or to be able to pull you into my lap and feel your curvy body pressed against mine. So yeah, don’t go complaining about the way you look, Janie because you’re perfect just the way you are.”
I said too much. As soon as I get done with my rant, I realize that I shouldn’t have said it. But after not sleeping and everything today, I just said exactly what I was thinking. “I have to go,” I say. I need to get off the phone before I do any more damage.
“Wait!” she says breathlessly. “So I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yes. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She’s smiling again. I can hear it in her voice. “Okay, Carter. And thank you,” she says right before she hangs up.
I don’t need to ask her what she’s thanking me for, I already know. But she doesn’t need to thank me. I was telling the truth.
Less than twenty-four hours and I’ll be picking her up. I can’t wait.
9
Janie
Half my closet is on my bed. I’ve gone through everything, and nothing seems to be right. I’ve tried to remind myself that Carter is just a friend, and it doesn’t really matter what I wear, but all day all I’ve thought about is him. I know I wish this was more than it is, but I’m not going to focus on that. Instead, I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts. I know he’ll get tired of me probably sooner than not, so that’s why I’ve decided to just enjoy it while I can.
I walk over to the mirror in my bedroom just as the doorbell rings. My father is downstairs, so I know he’ll answer it, but I probably need to hurry. I look at my jeans and turn to the side. They’re definitely tight but not so tight they’re obscene. It’s hot out, so I have on my blue tank top and I grab my lined flannel purple shirt off the bed. My hair’s up, and I’ve already put on mascara and some lip gloss. At this point, it’s the best it’s going to get.
I all but run down the stairs, hoping that my dad is not too far into the interrogation that I know he’s going to give Carter. “Hey, I’m ready,” I say as I walk up to my dad, kiss him on the cheek, and walk past Carter to the front door.
“Honey, are you trying to rush Carter out of here? He looks like he’s had a hard day. Let him rest a minute.” My dad is smirking. I’m sure he knows what I’m trying to do.
For the first time since I’ve walked into the room, I look at Carter, and my stomach drops. “Carter, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
His hair is wet, like he’s just freshly showered, but it’s obvious he’s tired. The lines in his face are defined more than they were when I saw him just two days ago, and he looks as if he’s about dead on his feet.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he tells me before turning to my father. “Thank you for the offer of coffee, Blake, but I’m going to pass. I’ll have Janie back this evening.”
They shake hands, and I stand at the door until Carter walks up behind me. When his hand presses against my lower back and he opens the door, I walk out in front of him. I don’t get far, though. I stop on the porch and watch as he limps out of the house. “Carter... I’m not going riding with you.”
He puts his hand back on my waist. “Too late, sugar. No backing out now.”
I shake my head. “No, I mean, you’re obviously tired. You’ve been on a horse all day, and I know you’re hurting. I’m not going to make you get back on a horse tonight.”
“Janie, I’ve been looking forward to this all day. I already have dinner in the truck.”
I swing my head to look at his truck and then back at him. “Okay, so here’s an option. We can bring the food in and eat it here. We can watch television and just hang out.”