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Carter.
CHAPTER 22
Carter
I saw her the moment I arrived.
But I wanted to catch up with the bride and groom first, because I knew the moment I approached her, she’d take over my whole night.
“Congrats, man,” I say to Nathan, pulling him into a hug. “You and Sterling finally tied the knot with your beautiful wives.”
“Not bad for a couple of small-town ogres,” Sterling jokes, grinning.
Nathan claps me on the shoulder. “You here with someone? I know you didn’t come alone.”
Before I can answer, his wife walks over and gives Sterling and me warm hugs, whisking Nathan away. I glance back toward the tables and see everyone rising to head to the dance floor—except Ivy. She’s still seated, alone.
Sterling’s talking again, something about a property he’s eyeing, but I can’t focus.
Because Ivy just tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and smiled softly to herself—and somehow, that small, simple thing hits me harder than any business deal I’ve ever closed.
“I’ve gotta catch up with someone,” I say, clapping Sterling’s back. “I’ll link up with you later.”
He daps me, and I walk toward her.
My pulse kicks. My mind blanks. I search for the right thing to say, but all I manage is—
“Ivy.”
She looks up, softer than she was earlier. Like the fight has drained out of her for now.
I offer my hand. “May I have this dance?”
She hesitates.
I watch her glance toward Vanessa, who gives a subtle nod of approval. Ivy looks back at me, eyes searching mine. After a few more seconds, she slips her hand into mine, and I help her to her feet.
I lead her to the dance floor, turn to face her, and for the first time tonight, I really look at her.
The live performer begins to sing. “Loving you is easy ’cause you’re beautiful…”
We begin to sway. I pull her close, until we’re flush against each other. The crowd fades. The noise quiets.
“I’ve missed you,” I whisper into her ear.
She doesn’t say anything at first. And I’m okay with that. Her being in my arms again is enough.
But then, just as my guard starts to drop, I hear her whisper back, “I’ve missed you too.”
My body tenses. Hope cracks through me like sunlight through storm clouds.
“Can we start over?” I ask, my voice full of something I haven’t felt in months: possibility.
She doesn’t answer at first. Then she shakes her head. “No. I’m sorry.”
My chest tightens. “Why not, huh?”
“Because, Carter, I only have one little heart. And that heart’s taken enough damage. We broke each other. And now? We’re trying to rebuild something from a week we spent trapped in a storm. It doesn’t make any sense.”