Page 84 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

“Oh, that.”

Was Carter actually blushing? Well, that was a first. “I’m sorry, Carter.”

“I know you didn’t mean it. AndIdidn’t mean to get hard, either. It would have happened with any girl.”

“Well, that makes me feel special.” I let out an over-dramatic sigh.

“Would you rather I only got hard for you?” he asked.

“Eww, don’t even say that.”

“You asked for it.”

“Well, I’m sorry I asked. But seriously, thank you, Carter. You’re always there when I need you.”

“Don’t tell Nick or he’ll cuff me.”

“I have a feeling that would be an easy punishment, coming from Nick.”

“Yeah, you’re right. He’d make me dig my own grave.”

“Don’t say that. You guys are best friends — almost like brothers.”

“Yeah, we are.” His mouth curved in that sexy way to one side. I was pretty sure that I’d gotten used to it over the years, but it didn’t stop the sensation of dancing endorphins in my stomach. Hey, I was human, and not blind to the attraction that was Carter Clark.

Carter took a seat beside me and watched Nick set another table up. Or maybe it was just me watching? I was pretty sure that Carter was just staring out into the distance.

“Penny for your thoughts?” I asked.

“You’d be bankrupt,” he laughed. Carter wasn’t usually someone who overthought life. He mostly acted on instinct, like Nick did; but today, something about him was different. “Next thing you know, it will be the two of you walking down that aisle.” He gently nudged me in my side.

“Oh, I’m sure it will be some time before that happens.”

“If I were Nick, I’d knock you up before someone else stole you.”

“Like who?” I laughed.

“I don’t know. Me?”

“Carter, you’re like a brother to me.”

“Ouch.” He motioned with his fist into his heart.

“And I know you’d never do that to your best friend. Besides, what would Molly do? She’s had a crush on you ever since I can remember.”

He shook his head as if I’d just spoken the impossible. “Nah-ah. Molly is absolutely unattainable.”

“What are you talking about? Why?”

“You’re gonna think that I’m a jerk, but she deserves better than me. Because you know, she’s… pure.”

Pure?

“Don’t you think she’d be better off with someone like you who respects her, rather than a guy who just wants to pop her cherry?” I asked.

“I haven’t thought of it that way.”

“Well, you should.”

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