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Obviously this was a very bad thing, but she had no idea why he’d think she wanted to re-meet a man she’d already met Then it dawned on her: Carter had used the word ‘dated’ As if they were dating Or at least that’s what she thought he meant

Oh God, that’s what she hoped he er side door and slid out "I need some air"

"We’re in a convertible, with the top down" She followed hi on, but I only o of his arm, she flicked her hands in the air "All I know is that I was trying to flirt with you Badto Charlotte with h his hair, ht up in the front "I already had two years of that shit Trying toti is a deal breaker for me I’m honest and expect the same froh school, he had once told her not to wear her favorite sweater because the knit knots on it looked like nipples She’d taken a pair of scissors to that thing as soon as she’d gotten ho deal to me I don’t need this kind of drama in my life, especially from you," he said, his voice harsh "Jesus Christ, wo me around by my dick What more do you want?"

Melanie’s face drained of color, then her pouty lips thinned "You, Carter Ae" She sto as she headed to the road "Ginormous Enormous All the words that describe every man I’ve ever tried to please JERK!"

Everyher ar her around "Just how ?" Oh yeah, that didn’t sound jerky as hell

"I don’t have enough fingers and toes, and neither do you to help me count them all" Tears filled her pretty eyes "All a man has to do is tell me I’m pretty and I drop ht I was cute as a button while I cleaned his house So I took that eighty-five year oldworld Next week, I’ll get all swoony over the UPS guy telling e inhis hands over his face, he tried to"Dammit, woman Would you be serious?"

"Can’t I’er in his chest "But at least I’" He almost dropped to his knees and pounded the dirt field in frustration What the hell had happened in the last five minutes? He’d invited her ass to Charlotte with him, even said she could drive Chase’s car on the way and…oh , shit "Melanie, did you think that car is mine?"

"Who else’s would it be?" she cried, then ran back to the car "According to Ms Leah, you have a whole garage full in Charlotte"

Son of a bitch Why couldn’t he actually talk to her like a real person? Oh that’s right, he turn into a certifiable duan

"Don’t you Melanie ed her purse, pulled out her phone and walked past hirabbed her around her ht hi the side of her neck, he breathed in her coconut scent "I am a jerk"

"It’s not supposed to be like this," she said "You’re not supposed to be like this"

Setting her on her feet, he turned her so she faced him "How am I supposed to be?"

She searched his face Her eyes were red and her lips were swollen "Not like the rest You’re always tellingthe worst about ut, not that he didn’t deserve it He’d known Melanie since she was eight years old and he’d always looked out for her while he lived here But he sure as hell wasn’t being protective of her right now

She deserved better

"I’ain"

"That’s what they all say Anyway, Zoe’s on her way to getas she tucked her phone back into her purse "Things need to go back to the way they were before we ood of a word for hi to the balls of her feet, she pressed a soft kiss to his cheek "Thanks for letting me drive"

That one kiss almost had hi for forgiveness, until she relented Instead he shoved his hands in his pockets "See you tomorroork?"

"Nine am sharp," she said with an obviously forced cheerful tone "Bye, Carter"

He heard Zoe’s Ca as Melanie walked past hiot out of her car She gave Melanie a hug and then Melanie got in on the passenger side

"What did you do?" Zoe hissed

Carter stepped back He’d never seen her so ear"

"God, it really sucks to know that my brother is just like the rest"

"First her and now you I’e of his nose "I screw up"

Fisting her hands on her hips, she let out a disbelieving snort "You did more than screw up Melanie’s always been in lo--sweet on you Everyone around here knows it"

Yeah, they did Hell he knew it, but thought it was a crush Nothing serious, until nohen his sister had almost said love "Yeah, well everyone should know that I’ht he couldn’t be more of a jackass…he said shit like that

"Too bad you didn’t tell Melanie," Zoe snapped "Stay away from my best friend, Carter, or so help me…"

"What?" He crossed his ar his brows "You’ll write about it in your books?"

"Still trying to think of the perfect person to base the villain on" She tipped up her chin "Looks like you’re edging out the leading candidate"

"Like you know anyone who’s villainous," he said, gazing over his sister’s shoulder Melanie sat with her head facing the passenger sideYeah, he was the da a woman’s heart like some cold son of a bitch