Page 105 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

Where did that come from?

“Like on a date?”

“Would that be bad?”

“I… I’m not sure I’m ready. And Molly—”

“Molly is dating. I think it’s time for me to move on as well.”

“I don’t know if I want to confuse Mackenzie. We’ve been doing so well as friends; what if it didn’t work out?”

“I hate to tell you this, but it’s been working out for three years now, Jo.”

He was right on that one. We had been living together for three years – in separate bedrooms of course – as friends, and the arrangement was working out. But how long could this last? I didn’t expect him to be single for the rest of his life, and as for me… well, I’d been so busy with Mackenzie that I hadn’t had time to think about me. Carter was a handsome man and so good with my daughter. His gentle nature with kids was a quality any woman would die for. He’d changed so much from the boy who first kissed me at our camping trip. But could we be more than friends?

“Carter, I can’t give you my whole heart. There will always be a part that belongs to Nick, and I can’t ever let that go.”

“Jo, if I only have a fraction of it, I’ll be the luckiest man alive.”

Wow!When Carter was pulling the moves, he definitely could do it with all the right words.

“We may not be compatible.”

“Sure we are. Look – you like baking cupcakes, and I like eating them.” He winked.

And he was definitely the master of charm.

“We’re compatible as friends…”

“Those cupcakes are so delicious, they’re worthy of their own quotes.” He pointed his finger at me with seriousness, and I burst out laughing.

“It’s a good thing you’re only my friend, Cupcake, because if you were my woman, I’d teach you a little bit of respect and about not laughing at your elders.”

“By seven months only, Carter.”

“Still, I’m older, which makes me wiser.”

“Gentleman skills, remember?”

He shook his head. “What for? Molly doesn’t get me anyways. Not the way you do.”

“Carter…”

“You’ve gone through a lot. You can’t expect to be on your own for the rest of your life, and the friendship between us is working so well, I’m sure we’d be great lov…” He stopped before finishing the sentence. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push this.”

“It’s okay, Carter.” I reached for his hand. Now that Carter had told me his intentions, the touch seemed to mean so much more. I pulled my hand away in fear that the touch would mislead him. Yet it didn’t ease the tight sensation in my stomach that had been gone for years. It felt nice to be wanted again. “You’ve pulled me through my darkest times and helped me with the business.”

“That’s what friends are for. You have a beautiful little girl now, and you’re the best baker in town. No, scratch that. You’re the best baker in the world.”

I laughed. “Thanks, but I’m sure you haven’t tasted other bakers’ goods.”

“Well, that’s their problem, isn’t it? Because yours are the only ones I want to taste.”

He was looking at my lips. Were we still talking about cookies and cupcakes?

I cleared my throat and pulled away. “You’ve gone through a lot too, Carter.”

“I know. Sometimes it feels like it will never get easier.”

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