Hate to Date You (Dating #4) - Monica Murphy Page 0,91

dresser drawers. It’s a Saturday night, and while I guess we could be out at a bar drinking and hanging out with our friends, I’d much rather be here with him. At his condo in the unfashionable Marina—my nonna’s words, not mine—eating pizza before we most likely settle on the couch and watch a movie.

We’ve created a little life here together, and it’s so sweet. So perfectly normal and comforting. I never thought I’d feel this way, but I need this. The normalcy. The sweetness. The jokes and the sex and the compatibility that Carter and I share.

I’m suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, and tears spring to my eyes. I grab a fresh napkin, discreetly dabbing at the corner of my eyes to stop their flow and hoping Carter doesn’t notice, but it’s no use.

I’m flow-blown crying.

Carter spots the tears immediately, dropping the half-eaten slice of pizza on his plate. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

I shake my head, my throat thick with unspoken words and feelings. I’m being ridiculous. I know I am, but it feels so good when he tugs my barstool closer to his and he wraps me up in his arms. His mouth is pressed against my forehead and I smash my face against his naked chest, which I’m getting damp with my tears.

“You’re scaring me,” he murmurs against my temple when I say nothing for a few minutes. Just quietly cry into his skin. “What’s wrong, babe?”

Oh, I love it when he calls me babe. I used to think that kind of thing was so cheesy, but now I live for those babes. He doesn’t say them enough. But I’m greedy for just about everything he gives me.

I pull away so I can look at him, and his expression is pained. He gently swipes the tears away from my cheeks with his thumb, his brows furrowed, his forehead wrinkled as he watches me. I think my five minutes of crying is adding years to his face—he looks a little wrinkled. He might pop a few gray hairs here if I don’t stop.

“I’m crying because I’m happy.” My voice is a little shaky and I try to smile, but instead a fresh wave of sobbing washes over me and I close my eyes with a dramatic little wail. “I’m so grateful you’re in my life.”

He holds me close once again, a chuckle escaping him. “You have a weird way of showing it right now.”

“Oh, shut it,” I tell him with a little hiccup as I pull away. “I just…my emotions feel so big when I think about you. About us.”

He studies me for a moment, his expression gravely serious. “I’m in love with you.”

My chest goes tight. “You are?”

He nods, pressing his lips together before he lets loose a long exhale. “I don’t say the words often. I never really have. But lately every time I’m around you, I want to tell you how I feel. I’m afraid it’s too soon, though. Do you think it’s too soon?”

I slowly shake my head, my tears drying up, just like that. “I’m in love with you too, Carter.”

His entire face brightens. All those premature wrinkles are gone. “You are?” he says, repeating my earlier words.

I nod. He pulls me in close and I sort of topple off the barstool, both of us laughing. I adjust myself, standing in between his legs, wrapping my arms around his neck as we stare into each other’s eyes.

“I love you, Stel. So much.” His voice is filled with raw emotion, his gaze shining with so much love. I think of what my nonna said.

When you know, you know.

And right now, in this very moment, I know. I love Carter Abbott.

Leaning in, I press my mouth to his once. Twice. “I love you too,” I murmur against his lips.

The kiss deepens in an instant, and his hands slip under my T-shirt to grip my butt cheeks. “Are you going to stop crying now?”

“Yes. Definitely.” I laugh. “My tears are all gone.” My chest is light. My heart is full.

My life is…

Perfect.

Want more? Eleanor’s story is next with Rate A Date, the next book in the Dating series, coming July 14th! Keep reading for a sneak peek!

Rate A Date Sneak Peek!

Chapter One

“You need to find yourself a man.”

I blink at my friend Kelsey, who’s slowly weaving back and forth in her seat, trying to point at me but her arm waves back and forth so it’s like she’s pointing at everything she sees. I think she might be