Page 43 of Right in Front of You

“Dammit, and here I thought you were flirting with me.”

“Whatever made you think that?”

“I can see your panties. And a small crease right in the middle. Is that a wet spot?” I pointed to between her legs.

“Carter!”

She lowered her long legs to the ground. I shouldn’t have said anything, but if I didn’t, I’d stay hard all night long.

“What?”

“TMI. And gentleman skills, remember? I’m tipsy, and you’re supposed to take care of me when I’m tipsy.”

I reached for the bottle of wine and poured the remaining liquid of courage for her. If Jo was really drunk, then at least she’d be safe from me. I knew I wouldn’t touch her. I hadn’t in the three years since she’d been living with me, and I wouldn’t unless I had her permission. Hey, when a man needs his sack emptied, the source of relief doesn’t really matter. Besides, she really was like a sister to me, so that would be gross. And I had my eye set on someone else: someone who made me lose my balance when I walked and change my personality to act like a dumbfounded puppy. Or a coward.

“Didn’t you guys go on a date after Dad’s wedding?” she asked.

“Me and Molly? Yeah, but that didn’t turn out too well.”

Because I was an ass and decided to ride a mechanical bull. And then I threw up on her. That was only the beginning of a downward spiral into forever-single-town.

“We were supposed to redo it, but then the fire happened, and Molly left so fast.”

She sighed. “I wish she knew you as the man that I know you to be. Come on, Carter. Give it another chance.”

“Really?”

I wanted to believe her. Jo’s encouragement was like a shot of magic love potion, because suddenly I had these ideas in my head about going to Molly’s with dozens of roses. Shit, maybe I shouldn’t have had the wine either.

“Yes, really.”

“Are you just saying that because of all the love you’re feeling for Nick right now? Because you know, you’re glowing when you talk about him.”

She simply shrugged and gave me that happy drunken love look. Yes, those two would definitely get back together.

She’ll wiggle her hips, he’ll wiggle his—

“Earth to Carter!” Jo snapped her fingers in front of my eyes.

“I think I’ll drive over to Molly’s tomorrow,” I said. “See what happens, ya know?”

“That’s quite a drive, but you totally should. There’s nothing better than a nice surprise. But you need a plan.”

Jo stood up from her chair again, swaying on her feet.

“I thought I could wing it.”

“You’ve been winging it enough. Now, imagine you’re at Molly’s door. What are you going to say to her?”

My head hurt the moment I tried to think of something, but I guessed I’d better get prepared now so I wouldn’t look and act like a fool.

“Molly, if I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put U and I together.”

She sighed.

“You’re doing it again. You’re trying too hard. Carter, just be you. Molly has known you since we were kids.”

“And I think that’s where my first problem lies. She knows me, and that’s why I don’t think she sees me as dating material. I’ve already failed her.”

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