Page 107 of A Forever Love

“I thought this sort of sex only happens in books or movies,” I tell him. “That in reality, people only do missionary.” The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.

Carter places a finger under my chin. “What about those two-and-a-half boyfriends, mittens? They didn’t support your adventurous appetite when it came to sex?”

“I don’t have an adventurous appetite.”

“Uh-huh. Your book collection is like sex education. Or better yet, a manual to sex.” Carter’s wet face buries in my neck, soaking my cotton T-shirt, but I’m not worried. I know it’s not going to stay on me for long anyway.

“What? That’s such an incorrect description.”

“Really?” Carter’s lips curl up.

The dimpled smile on his face tells me he’d hoped my response to be exactly that. He turns on my Bluetooth speakers, which are usually in my living room but today are sitting on the windowsill, and a second later, Carter hits play on his phone.

“Let me prove to you that it’s a step-by-step manual,” he says slowly, making sure I hear each and every word. One of my audiobooks starts to play, and it’s as if he’s paused it at the line he wants me to hear.

The male voice groans. “I can’t wait to fuck the memory of every other man out of your mind.”

28

CARTER

Merida avoids eye contact as I drive her down the streets of Cherrywood. If I hadn’t experienced how much she enjoyed what we did, not just the emotions on her face but also the way her body responded to everything, I might have been worried.

“Did I scandalize you too much, mittens? In my defense, I was inspired by your books.”

“Shh. You know there’s a term for the men in those books? They’re book boyfriends. Because that’s what they are—fictional. Bookish gals like me need to remind ourselves of that so we don’t start projecting them onto our real-life men.”

“You don’t need any other boyfriend, fictional or otherwise, since I’m ready to fill in every shoe. Of course, except those demons who have tails and horns. Yeah, those you can keep fictional.”

“Holy crap! Do you have X-ray vision or something? I have such a wide collection of books, ranging from religion, self-development, productivity—”

“Nah, I’m not interested in those.” I pull over outside Hawthorne Bakery, my fingers grazing Merida’s warm, flushed cheeks. “I’m only interested in the ones that tell me about you. The things you’re too scared to admit out loud.”

Her mouth hangs open for a beat before she closes it, repeating the action a few times like a fish. Finally finding her voice, Merida whispers, “You’re insane.”

“Only for you, mittens.”

The Hawthorne Bakery boasts fall-themed decor, featuring a massive pumpkin and flower arrangement, complemented by orange and green paper flag bunting. Just as we’re about to enter, the door swings open, and Lukas and Autumn step out. Merida instinctively takes a step away from me, and that simple action casts a grim shadow over my otherwise perfect mood.

“Hey, you two.” Autumn hugs us both. “It’s so nice running into you guys. I was just about to call you regarding the fall festival dinner we’re hosting at Butterfly Inn next week. Can I count you both in?”

“I might not be here next week, Autumn. Sorry,” Merida replies before I can deny the invitation.

“You won’t be?” My surprise is hard to hide.

“I was about to tell you during breakfast,” Merida says.

“Looks like you two need to talk, so we’ll be on our way,” Lukas says. “Autumn’s parents are babysitting Spring, and I don’t want to burden them too much.”

“Liar!” Autumn grins. “He’s the one missing her.”

Lukas doesn’t wait to respond. He grabs Autumn’s hand and leads her away. She grins, throwing Mere an air kiss and waving goodbye.

“I wasn’t hiding anything. I really meant to tell you this morning. But then we…got distracted.” Merida hesitates, and I immediately regret making her feel guilty.

“I’m not complaining. I loved our morning. It was enlightening in many ways.” Her cheeks flush scarlet, the red spreading down to her neck and hiding beneath her red pullover.

I can’t resist running a finger over her cheek, but before I can lean in to kiss her, Merida takes a step back.

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