Page 69 of Carter

“Good luck,” Weber says.

“You too,” I say, and then end the call.

There’s a text waiting for me from Carter.

Carter: Are you busy this weekend?

Am I busy this weekend? What a loaded question. I could be. Iwillbe, because that’s what I do even though I said I wouldn’t. It started with bringing Ryan’s case file home and only looking at it in my kitchen. Then I moved into the office that I said I wouldn’t use as an office—even though I knew I was lying to myself.

Because yeah, now I use the damn thing as an office and have multiple files open at a time. My bag is stuffed full when I leaveon Friday and the weekends are spent drinking too much coffee and digging through reports.

Me: Do you mean other than work?

Carter: ::eye roll emoji:: yes!

I let out a rough sigh, leaning back in my chair and stare at his text.

Be honest with him.

Me: Then no.

My phone rings. It’s Carter. I answer it right away.

“Hey.”

“So…” he begins in this too-sweet voice. “Since you’re not busy this weekend, I was hoping you could help me…”

“With?”

I don’t know why I’m even asking. I’ll help him with anything he needs.

“The shelter is hosting a big adoption event on Sunday, and we need help running it but we also need help setting up on Saturday too. They cut the adoption fees in half and have been promoting it for weeks to hopefully get all the animals their forever home.”

“What time do you need me?” I ask without hesitation.

“Both days?” he asks in a hopeful voice. I can’t help but chuckle.

“Yes.”

“You’re the best,” he says excitedly, then tells me the times I need to be there. I add it to my calendar right away.

Chapter twenty-four

Carter

Nash arrives at the shelter early Sunday morning, well before he needs to be here. I’m not surprised because it’s exactly what he did yesterday when he showed up to help then. This sort of thing fits exactly who he is. What is a little shocking, and as I think about it, realize it shouldn’t be, is that he comes with donuts.

“Oh my God, he’s the best!” Hazel says under her breath, elbowing me and walking over to greet Nash at the door since his hands are full.

I try not to stare. But… I can’t help it. He’s smiling at Hazel brightly, like he’s happy to be here, his hands full of boxes and bags. I’d never looked long enough to notice how handsome he is when he forgets to be a detective. Because that’s what’s happening right now. That smile is different from all the othersI’ve seen. It’s light, coming from somewhere deep inside. He means it.

“Hey,” he says when he comes over.

I act like I’m seeing him for the first time and haven’t been staring since he managed to open the door with his hands full.

“Oh, hey. You’re early.”

“I got you a coffee.” He offers it to me. I stare at it, then at him.