i am your anchor (~~Volume 1~~) [Completed]

Chapter 1

Carr's POV

It wasn't a date. Just a little dare, a question. 

That's what kept running through my mind as the phone was set down on the kitchen counter. The ice cream needed to be put away, so the deep freezer was the next stop.

When the walk back to the counter was done, the phone rang, the sound slicing through the silence.

A quick dash to grab it, no glance at the caller ID—just the instinct to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hey," came a voice. Luke's voice. The name flashed on the screen.

"I believe you owe me some ice cream," she said, playful but serious.

"Really?" The smirk spread naturally, even through the phone's receiver.

"Yes, really. What's your address?" Luke asked, the hint of amusement still there.

A quick pause, then: "I'll text it to you."

Before another word could be said, the phone call ended. Texting the address felt almost automatic.

A glance at the bathroom mirror. 

Not a date, the reminder came, but doubts crept in. Was there interest there? Or was this just two people hanging out over ice cream?

A knock at the door pulled attention away.

Unlocking it, the door swung open to reveal Luke standing in the doorway, looking right back with a playful gaze.

"Come in," the invitation slipped out before hesitation could take over.

Stepping inside, Luke looked around the room, scanning the décor.

"Nice place. I like your living room style," she said with a small smile.

"Thanks," came the reply. 

"Take a seat. Ice cream's coming up. How much do you want?"

"Two pints should be enough for now."

For now? The thought lingered. There was something easy about this.

With two pints in hand, the walk back to her was quick. Luke's eyes lit up as the containers were handed over.

"I'm going to dig in right away," she said, already cracking open one of the pints. 

"Can I get a spoon?"

The kitchen called for a quick fetch, returning with the utensil in hand. Watching her, there was a moment of complete stillness as Luke took a bite, her eyes closing, completely lost in the taste.

A soft moan escaped as the ice cream hit her tongue, her expression a mix of satisfaction and delight. When her gaze met mine again, there was something almost electric in the air.

A question hovered on the edge of the silence. "How'd you end up with the name Luke?"

"My parents were convinced I'd be a boy," she said, shrugging with a smile. "But hey, now I've got a question for you."

"Shoot," came the reply, arms crossed, curiosity piqued.

"Favorite color?"

"Lavender," the answer came without thinking.

"What's yours?"

"Green."

"Can you cook?" The question slipped out, not knowing what to expect but hoping the answer was yes.

"Of course I can. But I've got a dare for you, if you're not too scared."

A challenge? Interesting.

"Bring it on."

"I dare you to eat some of my ice cream without letting it melt off the spoon," Luke said with a grin, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth.

A spoon was grabbed, and a generous scoop of ice cream was taken. The goal: to get it in without letting it drip. It wasn't as easy as it seemed, but the task was tackled successfully.

Luke watched the move, her eyes narrowing with mock suspicion. "Cheating ass," she muttered.

"Okay, your turn," a laugh escaped, keeping the mood light.

Luke's eyes were back on me, the playfulness still there, but there was something more beneath it. "What kind of women do you like?"

"Feminine, but tough when it counts," came the answer, a shrug thrown in for good measure. 

"How about you?"

"Studs," the response came without hesitation, no need to explain further.

Luke laughed, shaking her head. "I couldn't ever be with a stud."

There it was again, that shift. Her body moved just slightly, creating space between us. A wall, or just uncertainty?

"It's amazing if you find the right one," came the quiet reply.

Luke tilted her head, almost skeptical. "I dare you to try it. Bet you'd fall for them."

"No way." Her voice was firm, but the look in her eyes suggested a different kind of curiosity.

"So you're scared?"

The words were teasing, but there was a hint of challenge there.

Luke's eyes narrowed as she leaned in slightly. "I'm not scared. Fine, but with who?"

"With me," was said casually, but there was no denying the weight it carried.

A moment of silence. Her brow furrowed, confusion mixing with surprise. "What if it doesn't work?"

"If it doesn't, we can walk away," the answer was straightforward, no hesitation.

Luke stared for a beat, then shrugged. "Okay. Deal."

The handshake was offered, but instead, a hug was exchanged. Brief, but meaningful. 

When it ended, Luke pulled back, her eyes locking with mine.

For a moment, neither of us moved. A slow, almost magnetic pull seemed to hang in the air between us.

Leaning in felt natural, but just as the space between us closed, Luke pulled back. She scratched her neck, awkwardly clearing her throat. "Well... it's getting late. I should head out."

She grabbed her pint, avoiding eye contact, and started toward the door.

"Okay." The word felt heavier than expected.

"Thanks for the ice cream," she said, the door already open, her exit almost automatic.

A nod was given, still processing what had just transpired. The door clicked shut behind her, the sound resonating in the quiet room.

What the hell just happened?