Page 37 of Carly's Heart

Their fingers brushed while passing the deep-fried wontons and she glanced at him, as if wondering if it was deliberate. He shrugged and smiled. After watching her from a close distance for so long, their proximity was as much heaven as it was torture. He was loving every minute of being near her.

This felt like family. His family. He wasn’t ready to tell Carly that he loved her again and loved Layla like a daughter. Obviously, that would be too much information at this point in their fragile new relationship. He knew he wouldn’t be able to keep his feelings quiet for long.

By the time they finished eating, Layla was nearly dozing in her chair.

“Why don’t you go tuck her in? I’ll put the leftovers away for you.” Her grateful smile was more than thanks enough.

“Will you take the extras home? Or can I pay for dinner?”

“Go, get her to bed before she falls out of her chair.” He rose and carried two plates to the sink. She was crazy if she thought he would let her pay for dinner.

“I’ll only be a minute.” She slid Layla’s chair out and brushed all the stray rice off her clothing before picking her up. “Say goodnight to Birch.”

“Night,” she mumbled as they passed him.

He ruffled her hair. “Good night, my favorite munchkin.” She waved sleepily as they left the kitchen, and he began bundling up the food. He had no intention of taking it home, they could eat it later. Carly would probably still be tired tomorrow. The diner would be short staffed until Tanya got back from her honeymoon. He was used to working hard and coming home to cook. He’d have energy to cook, but Carly might not. She had the added burden of caring for Layla. He’d leave the food for them.

He was on the floor wiping up spilled rice when she returned. “How did I not know how sticky this stuff is?” He laughed.

“Honestly, some nights, I leave it until it dries, and sweep it up before Layla gets out of bed.”

“I can’t decide if that’s disgusting or brilliant. You need a dog.” He rinsed the cloth he’d found in a bucket under the sink and hung it over the edge to dry.

“Just so you know,” he said, “this isn’t our date.” Now, all he had to do was figure out what to do on that much anticipated date.

♥ Chapter Seventeen ♥

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Birch asked his mother a week later as they pulled onto Carly’s street. “I’m nervous. What if she says no?” He was seriously second guessing this plan. He hadn’t asked her out on their official date yet, though they’d spent several evenings watching TV together or playing board games.

“Birch Brighton don’t be silly. She’s going to love this. Trust me. Every single mother on earth, actually every mother, wants a bit of adult time. The attention of a sweet, loving man is a bonus.” She patted his arm. “I probably don’t say it enough, but I’m proud of you. Proud of what you built with your grandfather. Proud of how you still help out on our ranch while running your own. But I’m most proud of how you kept your distance from Carly all these years. You’ve loved her for a very long time.”

He sighed and pulled up half a block short of Carly’s condo complex. “How long have you known? I thought I managed to hide it.” Was he that transparent?

“I saw the spark in your eye the first time she came out to swim. I wasn’t certain until I saw your disappointment when she said she was married. I’ve got to hand it to you, you left her alone. I knew the interest was still there, but you did the right thing and ignored it. I watched you fall deeper and deeper in love with her over the years. Still, you did nothing. That makes me proud. Unrequited love hurts.” She leaned over and hugged him.

He took solace in that embrace. “That it does.”

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