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Carly hadn’t expected to run into Mick—or anyone else, for that matter. She’d hoped to sit by the lake and sort her thoughts out. In this case, her thoughts had materialized and there he was sitting right next to her. Just inches away. “Mick?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry about the way I acted earlier this evening. I was really looking forward to meeting the Jedi guy, but it turned out to be a waste of time.” Carly looked away from Mick. She didn’t want him to see the hurt that plagued her. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you. You were only trying to help.”
Mick leaned back into the bench. “Tell me about this guy. Why is he so important to you?”
Carly didn’t say anything. Did she even know why NYJedi was important to her anymore?
“Okay, how about this—if you could talk to him right now, what would you say?”
Carly sighed. “I don’t know.”
“Give it a try.”
“Well,”—Carly paused for a moment—“first, I would ask him why he didn’t—”
“Here,” Mick said as he turned to sit facing Carly. “Turn around so you’re facing me and then give me your hands.”
Carly hesitated at first, but she turned to face him and brought her hands forward.
Mick took her hands in his. “Pretend I’m this Jedi dude—tell me everything you want to tell me. Ask me. Berate me. Do anything you want to do to me.”
Mick’s hands felt warm wrapped around hers. Carly felt her heart plummet to her stomach and bounce back up to her chest.
“I’ll start,” Mick said. “I’m sorry I didn’t come today,” Mick began and pretended to be NYJedi007.
Carly felt a shiver up her spine as Mick gazed into her eyes as he spoke. It was as if he was really talking to her. She liked his dark brown eyes. They were just like coffee, only a darker, deeper shade. His eyes were two heartwarming cups of espresso. “I waited for you,” she whispered, casting a glance at the lake to escape his intense gaze.
“Look at me,” Mick said.
“I can’t.”
“Look at me,” he said softly.
Carly turned back to face him. “I thought we had something special,” she continued.
“We did—and we do.”
“Then why didn’t you come?”
* * *
MICK’S THOUGHTS RACED. What should he say? Why didn’t NYJedi come to see her? What excuse could make it better? “I—I couldn’t get away.”
“That’s not good enough,” Carly said. He could see the tears gathering in her eyes.
She was right. It wasn’t good enough. What they had—what they’d shared in the last six months deserved more than ‘I couldn’t get away’. “You’re right,” Mick said. “It’s not good enough. I’m not good enough.”
“That’s a cop out.”
Mick leaned forward, his forehead against Carly’s. “Forgive me.”
Carly shook her head.
Mick looked into Carly’s eyes—sweet, beautiful, Carly. A tear escaped from her eyes. He caught it, kissing it away. And when Carly didn’t protest. He kissed the other cheek. With his forehead still against hers, Mick asked, “Can I kiss you?”
Without saying a word, Carly closed her eyes.
“Are you afraid?” Mick asked.
Carly slowly nodded.
“What are you afraid of?” Mick wiped the tears that cascaded down her smooth cheeks.
“What will people say?”
Mick caressed her cheek. “It’s not their business.”
“But—Jenna—she’s your sister,” Carly said. “She’s so good to me and she’s Charlotte’s best friend.”
“Sssh.” Mick leaned in and kissed her forehead.
“And my parents—the age gap between us—what would they think? I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” Carly whispered.
“I will never hurt you, Carly. I swear to you.” Mick held her gaze and slowly sealed his promise with a kiss on her sweet lips.