“Wanna stay over tonight?” I ask later that night when we’re lying on my bed. “We could have a slumber party like old times.” I don’t want her to be alone.
“I guess,” she shrugs.
“Things have a way of working themselves out, Meg,” I say reassuringly, reaching for her hand as we lie side by side on my bed staring up at the roof. “Look at Carter and I. Who would’ve thought we’d be where we are today?”
“I’m glad things worked out for you both,” she replies.
“Things will work out for you and Drew too, you wait and see.”
“Thanks, babe. I hope so.”
And I was right. We didn’t have to wait long at all. Five minutes after I said that to her, my dad knocks on my bedroom door.
“Megan,” he says, popping his head around the door. “You have a visitor.” We both sit up just as the door pushes open all the way, and Drew waltzes in. Yes, I silently chant.
“Oh my God,” Meg squeals, leaping off the bed and into his arms. “What are you doing here?”
“I quit my job,” he replies, pulling her into a crushing embrace. I can tell by the dark circles under his eyes he’s been suffering too. My heart goes out to both of them.
“What? No!” Stepping back to make eye contact with him, she continues, “You loved that job.”
“I love you more,” is all he says.
“But—”
“No buts,” he interrupts, cutting her off. “I can always find another job, but you my love, are irreplaceable.” He tenderly caresses the back of his hand down the side of Meg’s face before placing his lips against hers. Awww. Tears well in my eyes as I watch them together. I’m so glad things worked themselves out.
Carter arrives early Sunday morning. He was originally going to come Saturday night, but he still had some last-minute work to do at the apartment. God, I’ve missed him. As soon as I hear his car pull up in the driveway, I run outside to greet him. I’m still in my pyjamas, but I don’t care.
I jump off the front porch and bolt across the lawn as he’s getting out of the car. As soon as I’m close enough, I launch myself into his arms. “Fuck I’ve missed you,” he breathes into the crook of my neck as he wraps his arms around me tight.
“I’ve missed you too.”
“Let me look at you?” he asks placing me back on the ground. I smile up at him as he cups my face in his hands. “There’s my girl. I’ve missed your pretty face. It’s so good to see you’ve got your colour back.” My dad said the same thing yesterday. I even noticed how pale my skin was during treatment.
Before I get a chance to reply, his mouth covers mine. I’ve missed his kisses. He groans into my mouth when I deepen the kiss. When we finally come up for air, he rests his forehead against mine. “I can’t wait to get you home.”
That makes two of us.
A few hours later we’re on the road. Well, Carter and I are. My dad and Elizabeth are going to leave in a few hours to give Carter and I a little alone time. They’re picking up Carter’s grandmother on the way. I can’t wait to meet her. We’re expecting them around midday, so Carter is going to take us all out for lunch when they arrive. The three of them are going to stay over tonight, and since my car will be staying up here, my dad will travel home with Elizabeth tomorrow.
Carter and I talk the whole drive. It’s so good to be together again. I fill him in on everything that happened with Meg, and he tells me all about the renovations. I can’t wait to see the new apartment. “I was thinking, while I look around for a job, I might see if there are any animal shelters in the area. I could volunteer.” Carter reaches for my hand, bringing it up to his lips.
“That’s sweet, but I don’t think you’ll have trouble finding a job,” he says smiling. I’m glad he’s so confident. I’ve been so busy with Meg and packing I never got a chance to research how many veterinarian clinics there are in the area.
I’m excited to go upstairs when we pull up outside the tattoo parlour. As usual, Carter comes around to open my door. I love how sweet he is. After helping me out, he pulls me into his arms, planting a soft kiss on my lips.
“I need you to close your eyes,” he says.
“What, now? Shouldn’t I wait until we get upstairs?”
“Just close them. I need to show you something down here first.” What is he up to? He has that smug look on his face that has me instantly suspicious. Fine. I’ll go along with it. I close my eyes as he reaches for my arm and places his other hand on the small of my back, guiding me onto the sidewalk. “No peeking.” Peeking at what? I presume he wants to show me something inside the tattoo parlour, but he leads me in the opposite direction. Suddenly he stops walking. Moving around behind me, he tilts my head back so my face is looking up. What in the hell is he up to? “Open your eyes,” he whispers.