Touched

3

I spent the next few days "accidentally" running into Carter. We'd fallen into the habit of going on morning jogs, despite the fact that the starving artist in me was begging to sleep past twelve. 

Each passing day made me a little happier than the last, and for the life of me, I couldn't really understand why. I'd never been the kind of girl to fall hard for a guy. In high school, I had a boyfriend here and there, but nothing ever really extended beyond going to the movies and stealing a kiss when we thought no one was looking.

Carter and I had known each other for a little over a week, yet the connection we shared felt like it stemmed far beyond that. I did my best to play it cool, laughed at his dad jokes, entertained the thought that I actually enjoyed waking up at 6am to go for a run, waiting to respond to his texts instead of immediately hitting send two seconds later...I felt like I was doing pretty good. Because seriously, who wanted to come off as desperate?

"You know, I think it's time I take you to my secret hideout." We'd just finished our morning run and I was craving my iced coffee.

"Ooo sounds mysterious." His eyes were bright with laughter as we finished stretching. Waking up sore nearly every morning was a harsh reminder that I was indeed...not in shape. At the rate we were going though, that would change come the end of summer.

"If you consider Old Joe's coffee to be mysterious, then yes...very." 

He cocked a brow as we started in the direction of the shops. I'd long since let go of running home to shower and become presentable.

"Old Joe's?" The name rolled off his tongue oddly, obviously unfamiliar to him.

"Yeah, it's this eclectic little coffee shop right near The Shoppes at Ridge Pointe. We pass it almost every day."

"Funny, I don't think I've ever seen or heard of that place." He replied with a scratch of his head.

"Seriously? Everyone goes there, it became a popular destination shortly after opening last year. They've got the cutest little sitting area and free WiFi." My voice went high as I got a little too excited talking about my favorite place in town.

"Well you can't beat free WiFi can you?"

"And kickass iced coffee!"

We were practically at the door when Carter suddenly came to a stop. I'd been rambling on about who knows what when I noticed he'd fallen behind me. The look on his face was unreadable as a soft gust of wind blew around him.

"Hey, you okay? You look a little lost." The airy laugh that escaped my lips was cut short when he abruptly turned around and began walking back the way we'd came. "Hey, hold on...Carter," I moved swiftly in order to catch up with his long strides. "What's going on? Are you ok?"

"I...I don't know. I have to go." He wouldn't look at me as he continued to power walk.

"Whoa, slow down there? What's happening right now?" My laugh was forced as I did my best to lighten the mood.

"I can't go in there. I have to go, I'm sorry." The sudden shift in his mood left me completely confused.

"Uh okay, do you not like coffee? Oh! Ooor...did you see an ex you don't wanna run into?" He didn't even crack a smile. "Carter?"

"I'm sorry Charlotte, but I have to go." And with that, he took off running, leaving me there gaping as I tried to figure out what the hell just happened.

My solo walk back home did nothing but put me in a pissy mood. What was with him all of a sudden? My mind went over everything I'd said that could've possibly offended him, yet I still came up with nothing. He obviously had some  unspoken issues.