Page 48 of False Promises

She swallowed, somehow looking even sexier when she was angry.

“It was my landlord. They’ve decided to renovate sections of the building—my apartment included—and he informed me that I was evicted and needed to move out by the end of the month.” Her shoulders drooped, and she pushed her hair back, trying to look stronger than she really was.

“Can he do this?”

“Yeah. It seems so. He read me the section of the lease, and it seemed I had agreed to this. Anyway, he claimed it was for security purposes. Something about the structure.” She hid her face in her hands. I had learned my girlfriend wasn’t good at displaying her emotions. Mostly when it was sadness. She usually tried to change the subject or seduce me whenever she felt vulnerable in my presence.

“Listen.” I rubbed my short stubble with my hand, reflecting on the words I was about to say. Sure, the thought had been nagging at me for a while, but so far, I had succeeded in keeping it under wraps. Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity, and my chance, to really show my commitment to an us. “I’ve been thinking…”

Savannah’s eyes rested on mine.

“I could rent a place here. In LA. It could ease both of our lives. I’m here more often than I’m in Tennessee these days, and you wouldn’t have to find another apartment in a not-so-safe neighborhood. To be honest, I’m not really a fan of the fact you’re there by yourself when I’m not around.”

She blinked, her eyes widening. “You want us to move in together?” She blinked again, her lips parting but no other words passing through them.

I rubbed my neck. “Yeah, well, I know it’s a bit precipitated, but since I’m gone on the road a lot, we won’t be in each other’s business all the time. I’ll put together a small studio so I can record my stuff. Remember the night when you said you lost that role in the sitcom and you were stressing about having to drop your career to be able to pay your bills? If we do this, it would be one less worry for you. I can afford the lease. We’ll see about splitting the other bills if you want to pay your share. Or not. We can discuss it later.” I expelled a shaky breath. I did it. I put myself out there. New beginning. I was taking my dating life into my hands and moving forward with my relationship. Maybe Savannah Prince was the woman for me. Or perhaps she wasn’t. But the only way to find out was to give it a shot.

An adorable blush covered her cheeks.

“Carter, you’re serious?”

I pleaded with my heart to decrease its thundering. This whole moving in together and trusting life was a big step for me. “Yes. Wanna move in with me?”

My girlfriend jumped up from her seat, rounded the table, and kissed me like we were alone in the world. A loud moan left her mouth when our tongues tangoed together.

I pushed back, gulping some oxygen and putting a stop to our public display of affection. “So, I guess it’s a yes.”

Savannah hugged me tight. “It’s a million yesses. We’ll be happy together, I can already tell.”

We finished dinner, and after we left the restaurant, we walked hand in hand on the sidewalk.

Savannah halted and turned until we faced each other. “Can we go apartment hunting like tomorrow?” she asked, unable to hide her excitement. And seeing her happiness made me smile too. “I’d like it if we could move in before you gotta leave so I won’t have all the burden on my shoulders. Oh wow. I can’t wait for us to pick up furniture and silverware together. This is the best news ever.” She moved to her tiptoes to close her lips over mine. “Thank you. For being the best boyfriend ever. You won’t regret it. I’ll rock your world later to show my gratitude properly.”

I wished I could add I love you to the ending of a perfect night. Not now, though. I wasn’t ready to say those words yet. Someday soon. Maybe.

I tucked her hair behind her ear and glued my gaze to hers. “I can’t wait to do all those things with you too.” I leaned forward to kiss her once more.

A little voice in my head told me I was moving too fast, but I chose to shut it up. This voice was my fears talking. And for once, I decided to not allow them any room in my mind.

* * *

I landed in Nashville a month later for my record label’s twenty years anniversary party. Riley picked me up instead of Taylor driving me. My manager pulled me into a hug the moment I neared him. “I’m so happy you’re home, man. You spend way too much time in LA these days. I miss having you around.” His gaze swept around me. “Where’s your pretty girlfriend?”

I mustered my fakest smile and greeted him with it.

“C’mon, Carter, I really wanted to meet her in person. Not just see you guys looking cute on tabloid covers.” Yeah, even after vetoing Carla’s ideas, my relationship with a Hollywood star had attracted the attention of the press more often than I wished it would. Carla had been blowing up my phone with requests for another meeting to put the ball into motion as she called her stupid PR plan. A side of me wondered if she was behind the paps following me. If she’d been calling the shots, even though she said she wouldn’t.

I punched Riley’s upper arm. “Don’t start. She decided to stay in LA. Nothing too juicy on that front. Anyway, who’s the girl who gets to tag along to Sunday night dinners with mama and papa Burns these days? Anyone I know or another flavor of the week?” I smirked, like the asshole I could be if poked. Like I would’ve done with my brother back in the day.

Riley raised his hands between us. “Fine. I won’t meddle in your love life if you stay out of mine. I’m not looking for a serious relationship. And you’re well aware. Can’t a guy just have fun before committing to marriage and babies? You, my friend, are looking for love, so I’m fully entitled to mess with ya.”

“I’m not…”

He clapped my shoulder. “Yeah, yeah. Keep lying to yourself, lover boy.”

I said nothing because we both knew he was right. One day. With a woman who would love me back this time. But for now, my heart hid behind a wall of ice, and it suited me. I had my fun, out-of-this-world sex, and my career fulfilled me more than it ever did.

We walked side by side to his car.