Page 192 of The Perfect Spiral
“I didn’t, we just happened to be in the same restaurant,” he said, taking a mouthful of his drink. I knew he was lying.
“You know there’s one thing that we both have in common, Carter, we both hate liars. And you’re a bad liar. Why did you ruin our date?” I challenged him.
“Damn, don’t look at me like that, baby doll. I didn’t... ruin your... date... we just ended up going to the same restaurant,” he said, taking sips of his drink nearly every word.
“You ruined it and you knew we were going to that restaurant. Don’t play it down, Knox. I know you too well to know everything you do is calculated. I’m not stupid,” I calmly said, not as annoyed as I was that day.
“Look, I may have been a little teeny tiny bit jealous he asked you out first. He knows how long I’ve liked you. And it wasn’t a cool move. He’s meant to be my best friend, not sneaking around behind my back asking out the girl I’ve liked for years.”
“Did you just admit you were jealous?” “That’s all you picked up on?”
I nodded enthusiastically, meeting his blue eyes.
“Ugh, Alex! Yes, alright, I was a little jealous. Consider yourself lucky, baby doll, I’ve never been jealous before and I won’t beever again.”
“Unless I went out with Wes again?”
“Don’t—” he clenched his jaw out of irritation. Fine, I knew I was being mean, but I couldn’t help it with him.
“Look, let’s forget about Wes and the date, and focus on our date. Let’s talk about something else, like... oh, what’s the plan for tomorrow?” he smirked, taking a sip from his drink.
Why was he smirking at me? What did I say? “What? Why are you making that face?” I asked him carefully. I didn’t like it when he smirked; he looked evil.
“You said our date...” I couldn’t stop the eye roll from being carried out and sent him a deadpan look, to which he laughed. Was he going to be childish?
“But the plan is, my agent hired a stylist who is coming over with dresses for you to wear. You can choose one and it’ll be paid for. She also hired hair and makeup for you and they’ll be at her condo at two o’clock sharp. You are expected to be showered by then—”
“Oh, am I? Demanding much? Look, I don’t want to look like a Barbie doll, so keep it all as natural as possible, please—”
“Wouldn’t have you any other way, baby doll,” he said, finishing our meals. He got me a chocolate fudge cake from my favorite bakery down the street from my house. He also had chocolate-covered strawberries and small chocolates on a plate for us to taste. I couldn’t stop grinning tonight. Everything he did was so thoughtful.
Chapter 66
This was hands down the best date I’d ever been on, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. I didn’t need to inflate his ego any more than it already was.
As we prepare to leave, he guides me down the stairs, his hand securely holding mine. He positions himself in front of me, ready to catch me should I stumble in my heels.
Reaching the bottom, he doesn’t release my hand. We move together towards the elevator, which opens immediately. The building is eerily quiet tonight, a result of his careful planning to ensure our solitude.
He leans against the elevator wall, his gaze intense as he studies me. He doesn’t need to say anything; our hands are entwined, our fingers brushing against each other in a silent conversation.
I feel like I’m floating on cloud nine, a giddy teenager once again. As we reach the ground floor, I glance out the windows to see paparazzi stationed outside.
“Great,” he comments with a hint of sarcasm. “Okay, so...I have a driver waiting for us in my Audi. It’s right out front. Just keep walking and ignore them, alright? Stay close to me, baby doll.”
Halfway through his sentence, the flashes start going off, and all I want to do is sprint to the car. He opens the door for me, and the flashes intensify, the screams growing louder.
“Did you take her out, Carter? Is it official between you two?”
“Did you rent out the building for her, Knox?”
“You look beautiful tonight, Alex!”
“That guy just stole my line,” Knox whispers to me, making me laugh. We reach the car, and he opens the door for me to slide in. He slips into the back seat with me, and the driver pulls away from the building, heading towards Knox’s condo where we’re both staying.
The entire journey home, we’re pursued by the relentless flashes from the paparazzi’s cameras. We maintain a careful distance from each other, trying to appear as though we’re not cozying up.
But I miss his touch. I keep my head down, my face as covered as possible from the intrusive cameras.
