21. #CoupleGoals
21
#CoupleGoals
ANDREW
Oliver: How’s Spain?
Me: Spectacular
Oliver: Yeah? And how’s Carly?
Me: Breathtaking
Oliver: DETAILS man
Oliver: Or at least more than 1 word
Oliver: Andrew?
Oliver: Buddy?
Oliver: So much for living vicariously through you…
C arly stood next to the bride, who was less radiant than she’d been earlier. The contradictory scents of mint and coconuts wafted off Hayley.
I was still reeling from what she’d said: You don’t need to go looking for love, Carly. It looks like it’s found you.
Was Carly looking for love? She’d denied it. She was focused on her career. She wouldn’t let another man into her life.
Certainly not a man like me. A lowly quant who had to fake-date someone to get a promotion. Though she’d agreed we were real. Did that mean she was starting to feel what I already did? That I had a chance with her?
She gave me a wry smile. A solid maybe.
I’d take maybe over no any day.
I laced my fingers with hers and leaned close to whisper in her ear, “Everything okay?”
Goosebumps rose on her bare shoulders. She smiled. “It is now.”
I put my arm around her shoulder. “Cold?”
“A little. But it’s fine.” She held up a hand when I went to take off my suit jacket. “I’m enjoying the respite.”
“Aw!” Hayley clasped her hands under her chin. “You guys are so cute. You need a picture. Carly, give me your phone.”
“Mine too.” I held it out to her, and the bride snapped us, first with Carly’s phone, then with mine.
She grinned at my phone before she handed it back. “You two are couple goals. Carly, Andrew is just what you need. He’s totally in love with you.”
Shit, was it that obvious? Would it scare Carly away? I tightened my grip on her fingers.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said. “We’re friends having fun.”
My insides chilled to the same temperature as Carly’s Cava.
“Fun? You’re both glowing. The sex must be amazing,” Hayley said.
Fun? Was that what Carly meant by real? As in, Andrew’s a real fun guy, but it doesn’t mean anything.
Actually, I was the only one who’d called us real. All Carly had said was that we weren’t fake. Maybe she was talking about the sex, which was amazing, but I’d hoped real meant more than sex.
A voice sounded from the end of the hallway. “Andrew, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
As I turned to face my mother, Carly took a step away from me.
“Hi, Audrey,” Hayley said. “So glad you could make it.”
“It’s been an interesting event,” Mother said. “I recommend you get back to your groom. He’s had quite a lot of whiskey.”
“Of course.” Glancing at Carly, Hayley twisted her fingers together, then whirled and scurried back to the party.
“If you wouldn’t mind, Carly,” my mother said in a voice I knew better than to disobey, “I’d like a word.”
Carly stiffened. I reached for her hand, but she shoved it into the pocket of her flared skirt. Her smile was dangerously false. “What would you like to talk about, Audrey?”
“Your relationship with my son. I’ve heard Andrew’s perspective, and now I’d like to get yours. Could you excuse us, Andrew?”
It wasn’t a request. It was a demand. But I was the one who’d insisted on the arrangement. I couldn’t abandon my date now. I stood straighter. “I think I’ll stay.”
“It’s fine, Andrew.” Carly’s voice was as steely as my mother’s. “I’ll join you in a minute.”
Our talk at the fountain about male power meant I couldn’t stay, not after she’d asked me to go. Though as I walked toward the bar, my heart remained behind with the two women I cared about. Two women who I wished weren’t frenemies.