Page 18 of Blind Date with a #Doctor (Love Canyon: Blind Date #3)

Carter

Aspen is still catching her breath, her lips kiss-swollen and pink, her dress barely back in place, when I knock on the front door of the bookstore and step aside. The door is unlocked and we walk out hand in hand.

And there they are—Nan, Sally, and Marie. They’re sitting at a patio table, waiting, and looking obnoxiously victorious.

I narrow my eyes. “You locked us in.”

Nan sips her wine, entirely unbothered. “Did we?”

Marie smirks. “Or did fate?”

Aspen groans, burying her face in my arm. “I can’t believe you guys did this.”

Sally grins. “Sweetheart, we did you a favor.”

Nan winks. “And judging by the way you two look right now, I’d say you’re welcome.”

Aspen makes a sound that’s equal parts exasperated and affectionate, but I just shake my head, chuckling. Because honestly? They’re not wrong. I glance at Aspen, watching the way she bites back a smile, the way she tucks herself against me without thinking.

I want to get her out of here and to somewhere where it’s just the two of us. I have something to say. Something that can’t wait.

I kiss the top of her head, then look at the women who, as much as I hate to admit it, set this whole thing in motion.

“Ladies,” I say, “as always, it’s been a pleasure.”

Sally wiggles her fingers in a wave. “Take care of our girl.”

Aspen rolls her eyes but squeezes my hand.

And as we walk toward my truck, I hear Marie mutter, “So when’s the wedding?”

Aspen chokes and I just laugh, because they’re not wrong about that either.

* * *

The second I pull into the parking lot of Dotty’s Diner, Aspen lifts an eyebrow.

“Milkshakes?”

“I’m hungry and nothing’s better than a milkshake after mind-blowing sex.”

Aspen gasps, scandalized.

I grin, hopping out before she can swat at me, meeting her on the other side. Her mock glare melts into something softer when I take her hand, threading my fingers with hers.

“Come on, sweetheart,” I murmur, tugging her inside.

We slide into a booth, the kind with worn leather cushions and a sticky menu, and when Dotty herself comes over, she gives Aspen a once-over, eyes twinkling.

“Well, well. You’re new.”

Aspen smirks. “Depends who you ask.”

Dotty grins, clearly liking her. “Well, sweetheart, any girl Carter brings here is special.”

Aspen shoots me a look.

I raise my hands. “It’s been years, okay?”

Dotty chuckles. “What would you like?”

I quickly say, “One vanilla and one chocolate milkshake with two straws in each of them.

Aspen smiles, shaking her head. “That sounds perfect.”

Dotty nods approvingly before heading off.

And suddenly, it’s just the two of us again.

Aspen leans forward, resting her chin in her hand. “So,” she says, voice warm. “Milkshakes, huh?”

I meet her gaze, my heart beating slow and steady. “I love you, Aspen.”

Her expression softens immediately. “I know.”

I smirk. “Oh, do you?”

She grins. “I’m very intuitive.”

I chuckle, but then my expression turns serious again. “I don’t just mean now,” I say softly. “I want this forever. I want you forever.”

Aspen blinks and for the first time since I’ve known her, she looks stunned. She wasn’t expecting this.

Maybe she never let herself think that far ahead and I need her to understand. I reach across the table, taking her hand in mine.

“I don’t know what the future looks like,” I admit. “But I know I want to figure it out with you.”

Aspen stares at me for a long moment. She squeezes my hand, hard, and she smiles. A real, brilliant, breathtaking smile.

I know, without a doubt, that this is it. She’s it.

“I love you, Carter,” she whispers.

And when Dotty slides the milkshake onto the table, neither of us even notices, because right now, nothing else matters.