Can't Let You Go

Chapter 35

Well suited to its name, "L' Abri", French for "hideaway", is laid out in a labyrinthian manner employing tall plants and walls of floral arrangements to create a more private and intimate atmosphere in an otherwise large and open space. The restaurant is the perfect setting for Tally's mission. Not long after she's seated, a warm hand touches her shoulder.

"Honey, sorry I'm late," Carter Hazen says to her in a soft voice.

"That's fine. I'm not the type to get irritated by a few minutes of lateness on occasion."

He takes the chair next to her at the round table. "Really? You seemed quite stern when you were constantly instructing me on the etiquette of ice skating rinks on our last date."

Tally laughs, "Hey, I take safety seriously."

"You also take pool quite seriously. You really got me there. Who would have guessed you are secretly a pool shark?"

"I was just messing around. You're a carefree guy on the outside, but I can tell you're actually very intelligent and serious underneath. It was fun toying with you a bit."

Carter's deep laugh melds well with hers. "I'm serious when I make bets, though. I'm fully prepared to take you off to Egypt or China for a weekend. Just say the word and give me at least a week's notice."

"I think I'll keep that in my back pocket for a rainy day." She beams at him.

Two servers arrive at their table, the first to take their order and the second sets a silver cylinder on the table.

"I hope you don't mind, but I ordered a split of Champagne for us."

"I don't mind, but what's it for? Are we celebrating?" He briefly lifts the bottle from the cooling sleeve to check the label.

"I hope so. Carter," she touches his hand, "you and I are alike in a lot of ways. We're both used to a lot of freedom in our lives while at the same time, bound by the heavy expectations other people have of us. We're also inextricably tied to our family's business."

"Yes."

"We have jobs where there are people who want us to succeed, but their ranks are far fewer than those who don't think we're capable."

"True, no one thinks I can manage on my own."

She nods and pats his hand sympathetically.

"That's why I think we'd be stronger as a team. No one will think it's so easy to push us around if we're the ties that bind our companies together."

"I suppose so, but what do you mean, exactly?"

"I mean... let's get married."

Clearing her throat and taking a sip of water, Honey manages to stifle her urge to laugh in response to the comical look of shock on Carter's face. Taking several seconds to recover his composure, he closes his mouth and shifts in his chair just as their first course arrives. They both take the disruption as an opportunity to send out brief texts.

Venting his panic, Carter reaches out to his cousin. {Looks like you're out of the running. Honey Cohen just proposed to me. Holy fuck! Seriously though, what do I do?}

Honey simply updates Liam. {I have a lot of things to discuss with my lunch date and I think it's going to go long. Can you meet me later?}

Usually a smooth talker, Carter is left out of sorts. "I, uh, I know that's what our parents, uh, had in mind when they set us up, but, um, don't you think you're moving a little too fast?"

This was a question she expected, so has a prepared answer. "That's to our advantage. If both sides have to scramble to come to an agreement, it will be easier for us to get what we want. If we date for a long time and are engaged for a year, the two families will wear down and make some boring prenup for us. If we threaten to marry fast without one, they'll be under pressure to make us happy."