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Still, this all posed a probleeron too long if they weren’t able to reconcile what they both wanted in life, especially if Carter really wanted a child She knew he cared for her, but she also got the impression that he would like a chance to father his own flesh and blood Itout that way as of yet

Kayla let out a long sigh as she gazed up at her handso her head It’s not fair…

“What’s not fair?” he asked with a frown

Kayla felt a scorching heat rise in her cheeks Had she really just said that out loud?

“I… uh…” she began, desperately searching for the right words to explain herself Her head was fuzzy with drunkenness, and she found the task even … um…”

Carter frowned at her, narrowing his eyes suspiciously “About what? We’re not really going to have this conversation about the coain, are we?”

“No,” Kayla said “No, really It’s nothing like that I was thinking about so else”

“Well, don’t keepfaintly as he trailed his fingers over her bare calves He looked so weary “Tell me what’s on your mind”

Kayla hesitated just a moment more, but she kneas no use As tipsy as she was, she was practically a fountain of truth The words cahed, powerless to stop them

“I feel bad that… that Mo to carefully choose her words despite the fog shrouding her brain “I feel bad that she’s gone so much of the time, and that even when she’s here, it’s like she’s… not really here You know?”

Her stepfather nodded solemnly “I know,” he said, “but it isn’t that simple Your mother is as dedicated to her job as I am, and…”

“But she doesn’t need to work, does she?” Kayla interrupted “Not with you taking care of her”

Carter took a breath “Well, that’s not the only reason she works, sweetheart She has a… drive A desire to do so more”

“What about your desires?” Kayla asked him “Don’t they matter?”

“Everyone has to look out for their oants and needs,” Carter said, though from his tone, it was clear he didn’t entirely believe it “You can’t rely on somebody else to fill that void for you And your mother knows that That’s part of the reason why she works She finds it fulfilling”

“Yeah, well, I don’t want to be anything like her,” Kayla said, folding her arms

Carter s or two from your et anything you wanted”

Kayla squinted at hi there was so more like her mom, and the look on his face all but confirmed it He averted his eyes, cleared his throat, and rested his hand on her knee, obviously embarrassed

“Well,” she said slowly, looking her stepfather up and down “Maybe you’re right Maybe I could stand to learn a thing or two froets me what I want”

He shifted again, wetting his lips and shooting a sideways glance at her “And what do you want, Kayla? Obviously, you don’t want to run the business”

She sat up on her elbows, thinking “I’m not sure, honestly I’ve always been into art—illustration, in particular, but… you always told me that wasn’t a viable career option”