Before You Go

Chapter Thirteen

It's been seven days since I last saw Carter, and around five seconds since the last time I thought of him. I groan silently to myself, disgruntled at the fact how much he's affecting me when I promised myself I wouldn't let him.

It's not exactly a bad thing, it's just not best thing either.

I've been working all week, and my current workload is enough to distance my mind from Carter for the day.

"You know, those aren't due until next week." Barry says as he enters my office carrying a brown paper bag. He places it on my desk. "A man named Carter brought this over. He's outside and insists to be let in."

"What?" I perk up at the mention of his name.

"I take that as a 'no'." he says and is about to turn around when I call his attention. "This must be the mystery man." he says with a laugh.

I furrow my brows together. "He's been here multiple times already."

"I just became your assistant yesterday." He says. "Agatha had me swamped before you became my boss."

"Can I come in or not?" someone joins our conversation. Barry and I turn to see Carter's head peeking through the doors. "I'm coming in anyway."

He strolls inside my office and Barry eyes doesn't leave him. I have to smack him with the papers I'm holding to get him to stop gawking at my boyfriend.

My boyfriend.

"Christ, Val. You can't blame me." he whispers hastily, rubbing the spot on his arm that I just hit him. "He's quite a looker."

"I got you lunch." Carter says and motions his head to the bag Barry had just placed on my desk. He looks tired, but still very much handsome with his tie loose and the top buttons of his dress shirt undone. His well kept hair opposing the bags under his eyes.

"I didn't know you already arrived." I stood up and greeted him with a kiss. "Thank you for lunch."

"I would've given it to you personally if Mr. I'm-her-assistant-and-she's-busy over here just let me in." he narrows his eyes to Barry who raises his hands up.

"It is true." Barry says in defense.

"Stop pestering Barry." I poke is shoulder and he laughs.

"I won't take much of your time. I'm exhausted and in desperate need of sleep." He says and pulls me close. "I'll see you tonight?"

"I have work tomorrow."

"You're an adult." Carter rolls his eyes. "And it's just dinner. It's not like we're going to stay up all night and party."

"We don't have work tomorrow." Barry chirps in the conversation. "New year's eve."

I let out a sigh and narrow my eyes to Barry. "Side with me next time."

"I'm just telling the facts here." He says and leaves us alone in my office.

"Do you not want to come over?" Carter frowns and asks me once we're alone.

"What? No. I'll be there." I say and give him a kiss.

He reaches into his pocket and grabs a set of keys. He dangles it in front of me. "I had mine duplicated so you have your own set to my place."

"What a coincidence." I say and pull out a key from my pocket. "I got you a key to my apartment as well."

"We even think alike." He grins at me, showing the little dimple on his cheek. "God, I missed you, Val." he murmurs and buries his head on my shoulders. "I'd love to sit here and watch you work but I really have to rest."