Stacking the Deck (A Betting on Romance Novel Book 2)(76)
“Sort of. What the hell is that anyway? You’re not even wearing a ring.” They both stared at her bare ring finger.
“It’s not that clear cut.”
“You either are or you aren’t, Liz. No more complicated than that. Even I know that much.”
“We’ve discussed it, okay? He wants to take our relationship to the next level, but we’re coworkers, so one of us would need to leave the company.”
“Next level? What is that? You make it sound like a video game.”
“The next level,” she ground out, “is getting engaged, getting married!”
“Did he say that?”
She blinked, then her forehead furrowed slightly. “Yes. I mean, not in so many words, but the intent was clearly—”
“Did it ever occur to you he might just want to get laid?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“The next level. He doesn’t want to get married, for Christ’s sake, the guy just wants to get laid! And here you’re giving me a hard time just because I’m upfront about it? Fuck! The only thing complicated here is you!”
At her stunned intake of breath, he caught himself. “Sorry. I’m sorry.” He raked his fingers through his hair again, anger and hurt and envy for this guy he’d never even met coursing through him. “I didn’t mean—”
“Don’t.” She held up a hand, let it drop to her side again. “Don’t. You’ve said enough. Just... go.”
“Liz…” But the look she gave him told him it was too late.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
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CARTER FROWNED at the orange juice his cousin Jim set in front of him and tried to ignore his sister’s smirk as she draped herself over a neighboring chair. Clearly it had been a mistake to come here and expose himself to his family’s scrutiny and opinions, but his sister-in-law, Kate, had invited him days ago. And he was out of milk.
He’d hoped for a private moment to talk to his cousin, man-to-man, given the fact that he’d clearly gone off the deep end. Hell, maybe there was a way to undo this mess he found himself in.
Just his luck, his sister was already sponging breakfast off Jim and Kate when he arrived. He’d been reduced to relating a highly edited version of the weekend’s events.
“She shut me out,” he said in conclusion, accepting a second helping of waffles from Jim. The guy ate like a king. “Why do women have to make everything so complicated?”
“Well, what did you expect?” Grace helped herself to the syrup and a generous spoonful of whipped cream. “Did you think just because she liked the cabinet color she’d up and decide she couldn’t possibly leave them? Or Sugar Falls? Or you? Did you think,” she laughed over a mouthful of waffle, “she’d fall in love with you over a paint chip?”
“It was a valid question. You don’t have to make me sound ridiculous,” he grumbled.
“I’m sorry. I’m making you sound ridiculous?”
“What I meant is... she’s not easy. In my experience, women have always been easy.” He turned to Jim for confirmation of this universal truth.
Grace snorted in disgust.
Carter frowned. “What I mean is, easy to please. Easy to figure out. You do nice things, say nice things to them, they do nice things and say nice things to you. Easy.” And nobody felt things they shouldn’t feel.
“Easy to get into bed, you mean.”
Carter scowled as he reached for the syrup. “I’m not talking about that.”
“What? Carter McIntyre not bragging about his latest conquest?”
“She’s not a—” He uttered a short curse and smacked his fist on the table in frustration. “Why do I even try?”
Shit. Is that what his exes felt like? Conquests? Is that how he appeared? He thought back over his dating history with new eyes. He’d never intentionally misled anyone, never talked about a future or kids or love. He’d thought it was kinder to quietly back away when things got too close. Easier. But, maybe it had only been easier for him… like pushing someone away to swim to safety alone.
“Don’t be so hard on him, Grace.” Kate set baby Lily in her bouncy seat and flashed him a reassuring smile.
He stabbed at his waffle knowing he was being set adrift and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He helped himself to the syrup. “Yeah. Shut up and pass the whipped cream. By the way, thanks for breakfast, Kate.”
“My pleasure.” She glanced toward Grace then back at Carter. “But I did have ulterior motives for inviting you two today.”
Grace and Carter eyed each other warily.
“You did?”
Kate glanced uncertainly toward her husband then squared her shoulders. “The thing is, I don’t think I can continue to help with the landscaping business. I simply don’t have the time anymore.” She gestured toward the sleeping baby meaningfully.
Carter’s lips lifted in a half smile. “The first six weeks are the hardest. Rachel said so. After that, things settle out again. You’re just talking temporarily, right?”
“Carter, the business is at a point where you need someone a minimum of part-time. Probably more. I thought with Grace between jobs, it was the right time to bow out gracefully. I’ve got my own business to tend to as well as the kids…”