Page 78 of Carter

The words leave his mouth and I can tell he regrets them immediately, looking back at the TV too quickly and clearing his throat.

“Thank you,” I say. “You’d make a hot grandpa too.”

Hopefully that keeps it light and takes away the awkwardness he’s feeling. It doesn’t feel awkward to me. I mean, I feelsomething, but definitely not awkward. A little warm, maybe.

“You think so?” he says, sneaking a glance at me. I don’t miss the way his cheeks have turned slightly pink.

“Absolutely.”

He smiles again, then brings his attention back to the movie.

“I’m still not sure what’s going on here,” I say, gesturing to the TV.

“That’s the point. Just wait until the end. It’ll explain everything.”

I do as he suggests and pay attention. We make it to the end, and I am thoroughly surprised.

“That is not what I expected.”

“Coming from you, I think that’s a compliment to the writers.”

Carter yawns, his arms stretching up above his head. A sliver of skin shows at his waist and I can’t help but stare. It’s a little paler than his arms and face, and it looks so soft.

“Do you want me to take you home?” I ask, flicking my gaze back to his face.

“Do you want to take me home?”

“No,” I answer honestly.

“Me either.”

He lays down more, curling up on his end of the couch, his legs and feet stretched toward me more. Closer.

“Oh, put that one on,” he says.

“This one?” I click the button to select the movie one back.

“No, over two.”

“Momento? Never heard of it.”

“You are so missing out on all the good movies,” he complains.

“I don’t have time to watch movies.”

“Liar,” he laughs. “You have plenty of time; you just choose to work instead.”

I wave him off and press play to start the movie. He’s right, but I’m not getting into that conversation.

This is another movie I need to pay attention to, but I feel my body getting more relaxed. Tired. Normally I’m up much later than this, but I had a busy day, and something about this—sitting on the couch with Carter, watching movies after a homemade meal—makes me feel settled. So I get more comfortable too.

Our feet brush again, because the couch isn’t big enough for two men to spread out on and not touch. Then our legs are pressing together. My eyes fall closed, but I pop them open to watch the movie. This happens a few times as I fight the sleep. Carter’s breathing is soft and shallow. Eventually, I give in and let sleep take me over. Until I’m woken up by someone crawling over and lifting my arm, slipping beneath it and against my body.

Instinctively, I wrap my arm around him and pull him tightly against me. He fits perfectly, like he was made to be in this position, in my arms, protected.

Chapter twenty-six

Carter