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"Carter Jenkins." Carter answered in a businesslike tone. Was that intentional? He must know who was calling him. After all, we had exchanged numbers during the accident the day before yesterday.
"Isabella Abbott," I said in a similar tone.
"Yes?" Carter sounded reserved.
I took a deep breath. "If your offer still stands, I accept it."
"Of course it still stands." Carter's tone had changed, but I couldn't quite interpret it. Was he grumpy? In a bad mood? Had I upset him? Had something happened?
"Good," I said and fell silent, somewhat embarrassed. I had no experience in such negotiations. What did one say then? Somehow I was convinced that everything could have been easily settled if we had been standing face to face and I had looked into those bright blue eyes...
"What happens next?" I asked after a moment of silence.
"We'll meet for dinner tonight to discuss some details." Carter now sounded very determined. "You'll only get the money after my brother's wedding is over and everything has gone well. I can tell you that right now."
"The wedding is in a week?" I asked to confirm.
"Exactly."
That was sufficient. My appointment at the bank wasn't until after that.
"No problem," I said. "Where are we meeting tonight?"
"I'll pick you up," Carter replied. "Send me your address. And wear the same dress as the day before yesterday. It looks excellent on you. Just the right shade of green."
"Th...thank you," I stammered, completely taken aback by the unexpected compliment.
"It accentuated all the right places on you." Now Carter's voice sounded... relishing? Dark. Yes, his voice sounded dark and promising. And promptly my body began to tingle. The memory of the day before yesterday excited me.
Would the same thing happen tonight?
What did Carter have in mind?
Isabella Abbott! You know exactly what he has in mind. He wants to have fun. And so do you. You've honestly earned this. Just remember Hayley's advice. Guard your heart.
My heart, however, did what it wanted and not what I wanted. It was beating wildly in my chest.
"See you tonight then," Carter said, now sounding as businesslike as before.
"See you later," I replied. But Carter had already ended the call. My words didn't reach him anymore. Confused, I stared at my phone. First cold, then hot, then cold. What did this mean?
It doesn't matter what it means, Isabella. It's just fun.
I opened WhatsApp and sent Carter my address. Thoughtfully, I stared at the chat window. Why didn't Carter have a woman anyway? I had been so relieved when I found out he was unattached that I hadn't even wondered why that was. Someone like him should have plenty of options. A real fiancée, not a fake one like me.
Suddenly, the answer to this question interested me more than anything else. Could I ask Carter about it tonight?
That's not a good idea, Isabella. IT. IS. JUST. FUN. And therefore, you will leave Carter alone with such questions and not interfere in his private life.
I urgently needed to think about something else.
You could write a few job applications, Isabella. Because even if you have a job now... sooner or later you'll need money again. 50,000 won't last forever. Not even for the entire loan.
I got up from the light gray sofa and went to my small desk. Just as I opened the bottom drawer to take out the laptop, there was a knock at the door. It could only be Hayley. Or?
I quickly ran to the entrance and opened it.
In front of me stood...