Page 80 of A Whole New Play

I inhale through my nostrils and confess, “I was jealous of you and Morgan.”

“What?” His voice cracks with a shocked laugh. “Really?”

I force my gaze back to him. “Yeah…”

Seeing I’m serious, his smile falls. “Valerie… Morgan is just a friend.”

“I know.” I shake my head, disgusted with myself. “You didn’t do anything wrong. This is all on me. I promise.”

“Well, I had to do something to make you feel this way.” He turns so his body is angled towards me. “Talk to me, Valerie.”

“I swear, it wasn’t you. This is all in my head.”

“What’s in your head?”

I chew the inside of my cheek, debating how to put my thoughts into words. “I guess seeing you so relaxed and joking with Morgan made me realize how on edge I’ve been when we’re together in public. We agreed not to tell the twins about us, and I still think that’s the right call, but being hyper-aware of how I interact with you is harder than I expected.”

When Carter and I spend time together once the twins are asleep, things are easy and natural. To hide our relationship in public is draining.

And depressing.

Especially when I see him sharing his wonderful personality with others.

“I don’t have feelings for anyone but you.” He takes my hand in his and runs his thumb over my knuckles. “I hope you know that.”

“I do.” It’s the truth. Carter’s not a player. This isn’t a game. What’s happening between us is real. “I just… I don’t know. I’m acting like an immature teenager who doesn’t want to share the boy she likes with anyone else.”

“Is that so bad?” He gives me his signature cheeky grin—the one that never fails to make my heart race and mood lighten. “I don’t exactly want to share you either.”

I exhale a half-hearted laugh. “You don’t have to worry about that. It’s not like I could meet anyone else even if I wanted to.”

I meant it as a joke, but a low growl sounds from Carter’s throat.

His grip tightens on my hand and he tugs me closer. My other hand presses against his chest to keep my balance.

Before I can say a word, he growls, “Just because we agreed to take things slow doesn’t mean I’m going to let you joke about finding someone else.”

My lips part in surprise.

I’ve never seen Carter like this.

He’s always been even-tempered. But there’s a dangerous gleam in his eye and, I’m not going to lie, I kind of like it.

I’m not a girl who wants her partner to be grouchy and possessive all the time, but there’s something appealing about a man as handsome and formidable as Carter Jones feeling that way about me.

It’s ego-stroking.

And a little intoxicating.

That’s the only explanation for why I suddenly feel the strong urge to say screw it to keeping our relationship a secret.

I want to straddle his lap and lock my lips with his to reassure myself that what we have is real. I want the reminder that I shouldn’t care what other relationships he has with other women. I’m the only one who gets to be with him like this.

Carter’s rich brown eyes search mine under the bright lights lining the street. They heat as he registers my desire. His lips slowly lift in a satisfied grin before he tilts my chin up and seals my lips with his.

The kiss is hardly the most passionate we’ve shared, but it’s by far the sweetest. The danger I’d sensed in Carter’s demeanor has given way to gentle affection. An affection that makes me think of the future—that makes me wonder if I’m being short-sighted in thinking our relationship can’t go anywhere.

And what? Give up your future to play mom to some other woman’s children?

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