Page 78 of The System

“It’s too late for us, Tinley.”

“I know that. I didn’t mean that I wanted to get back together with you. I just… I wanted you to know that I heard you, okay? I’m trying now.”

“I’m glad,” Carina replied.

When Tinley walked toward her car, Carina watched as she pulled out of the driveway and onto the street. She stayed watching to make sure the woman was really gone before she closed the door and locked it behind her. She’d forgotten that Tinley still had the garage door opener, but now, she had no way of just letting herself into the house anymore, which made Carina feel good.

She headed back upstairs and found her curling iron to be way too hot now, so she dialed it down from the ten she’d left it on in order to pre-heat to five so she wouldn’t burn her hair. Once her hair was done, she checked her makeup in the mirror and decided that she was wearing just enough to look like she was wearing some, but not too much that she looked like she’d painted herself in the mirror before their first date.

‘Their first date,’ she thought to herself.

Carina was going on an actual date with Kieran, and it was strange how right that felt. Even though Kieran hadn’t dated a woman before, and Carina had all the experience between them, it still felt like a natural progression in their relationship. From Kieran not even opening the door to her the first time they met, to the courthouse, where they’d been obviously flirting enough for Frank Richard to pick up on it, and to the party, where Kieran had looked so unbelievably adorable with that bottle of wine and her admission that she might just feel the same way.

The awkward conversation with Amalia that followed about ten minutes later had been as worth it as the even-more-awkward ride home in Amalia’s car when the poor woman had asked her if she’d done something wrong by taking a work call on a date and that was why Carina didn’t want to see her anymore. After apologizing for leading her on and making it clear that the call had not been the case, Carina had said goodbye to Amalia and wished her well. Then, she’d gone inside her house, pulled out her phone immediately, and texted Kieran, feeling like a silly schoolgirl.

Carina Whitlock: No goodnight kiss. Just wanted to make sure you knew.

Kieran had replied right away.

Kieran Hart: I feel bad for Amalia… And I’m nervous as hell about this, Carina, but I’m also kind of smiling right now.

Now, holding up the flowers she’d bought earlier that day, Carina stood outside Kieran’s apartment and swallowed before she knocked and waited for Kieran to answer the door. A few seconds later, Keiran appeared in front of her in a pair of nice dark jeans and a T-shirt that said, ‘You matter unless you multiply yourself by the speed of light square. Then, you energy.’

Carina laughed and said, “I energy?”

“Huh?”

“Your shirt,” she said as she pointed.

“Oh, sorry. Yeah, I forgot about that.”

“Are you ready to go?” Carina asked. “I got you these.”

“I was working and lost track of time, so I haven’t gotten dressed yet, but… Wow,” Kieran said as she took the flowers from her. “You look amazing. And thank you.”

“You look good to me,” Carina replied.

“I’m wearing this shirt,” Kieran argued, tugging on it with her free hand.

“I know. I don’t care. You look great,” Carina told her with a smile.

“I meant to stop at six so that I could get dressed, but I visited Marin today and got behind on work, and I am so completely sorry.”

“Kieran, I’m a lawyer. I’m late for stuff because of work all the time. And I like how you look. It’s you. It’s more you than the sweater-and-slacks number you had on the other night, even though you looked great in that, too. We can just go, or, if you want, you can change, but I like how you look.”

Kieran smiled at her and asked, “Can I at least put these in some water first?”

“Yes. Can I see your nerd cave setup for work before we go?”

“Sure.” Kieran laughed. “Come in.”

CHAPTER 24

“I just don’t want you to think I’m not taking this seriously.”

“Why would I think that?” Carina asked her as she watched Kieran put the very nice white roses she’d given her into a pitcher because Kieran didn’t have a vase.

“Because I’m running late.”

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