Happily Never After

Chapter 13

The following two weeks dragged by. Each day, I went through the same routine of getting up, shower, get ready, work insane hours then go to bed. That went on for thirteen days straight and both Zoe and Jordan noticed all too well. 

They didn't say anything. They just made sure I ate and drank plenty of fluids so I was staying hydrated. I could tell Zoe had a feeling about what was up with me but I didn't question her over it, nor did she query the matter. 

I was now on the fourteenth day and it was practically all or nothing for my life with Carter. I had to decide what my feelings for him were and if I wanted to act on them or not. Today was going to be different from the others leading up to this. I could feel it. 

I woke up earlier than I was used too. Even my morning shower took longer than usual. After getting out the warm shower, I just pull my pyjamas back on once I dried down and put fresh underwear on. I leave my hair to air-dry and walk down the cold stairs. 

I stop at the bottom of the stairs and look into the living room at Zoe who was fast asleep on the couch. I walk in and look down at her as she slept peacefully on her back; her hands clasped over her still-flat stomach and the blanket that once covered her body, was lying on the floor. 

The time on the silver clock that sat in the middle of the fireplace, caught my attention. I look at it more direct: seven twenty. I sigh and pick the blanket up off the floor before putting back over Zoe so she was warm. I smile down at her once I place the blanket over her and start to walk back out the room. 

"Tell me," Zoe's sleepy voice mutters from behind me. 

I stop and turn. "What about?" 

"You know what." She had a tone about her voice that echoed authority and that no one should mess with her. I watch her sit up and she starts again. "Tell me." 

"I don't know what to do." I almost broke down in tears, letting all of my bottled up emotions come pouring out. "Carter wants me to give him an answer today and if I don't, I-" 

"Come. Sit. Spill." 

I walk back over to the couch and sit down next to her. She pulls the blanket back and places half of it over me so we shared. 

"Jordan found the wedding invitation when he was hoovering the rooms the day you started being distant. He told me and I knew straight away what happened." 

"Zoe, I don't know what to do." 

"Sarah, I am going to ask you these next questions because I love you and you are like my sister." I nod. "When you see him, how do you feel?" 

"Relief and happiness. Relief because I know he's okay and still there. Happiness because the things he does, makes me forget where I am and what I'm doing." 

"How do you feel when he's not around?" 

"Lost. Worried. On edge." 

"Why?" 

"I feel like a part of me is missing and he's taken it. I get worried that something might happen to him because of who he is and the fact that people know his every move. On edge kinda fits into that too." 

"If someone had to tell you he was in a car accident, how-" 

"Are you telling me he's been in a car accident?" I shout in worry. 

"No, but I can tell that you were worried." 

"I know." 

"Do you love him?" 

I sigh. "I don't know." 

She takes one of my hands in hers and I look at her. "I think you do."