“I’ll bet they’re rocking late into the night. Besides, it’s not that late. Let’s check it out.”

“All right.” She grabbed her jacket and they were out the door.

Carter was going to make her smile and take her mind off her worries, at least for a couple of hours.

Chapter 12

AS MOLLY HAD suspected, the festival closed up at ten p.m., and it was ten thirty by the time they got there.

“Not a problem,” Carter said. “I checked my phone and there are some late-night venues continuing on at some of the clubs. We’ll go to one of those, grab something to eat, and listen to some music.”

“Providing we can get in. Some of those events are sold out in advance.”

“Then we’ll find one we can get into.”

She took a deep breath. “Hang on. Let me make a call.”

She grabbed her phone and punched in Delia’s number. “Hey, Dee, it’s Molly. I’m in Austin to pick up my things, and a friend of mine and I would like to check out the music here for the festival. Do you think you can get us in somewhere?”

She smiled at Delia’s rapid-fire voice, then smiled. “You’re great. Thanks so much.”

She hung up and gave him directions to Lambert’s. “We can also eat barbecue there.”

“Perfect.”

They had to park a couple of blocks away, but it was a nice night so the walk wasn’t bad. There were a lot of people out and about because of the festival. Molly couldn’t believe she’d totally blanked on the musical festival this weekend. Then again, her head had been filled with details about her mom, and rushing back here to get her things, not hanging out and listening to music.

She gave her name to the hostess when they got inside.

The woman smiled at her. “Delia said you’d be coming. Head on up to the bar.”

“Thanks,” Molly said.

They got a table and a waitress came by.

“Drinks only, or do you want food as well?” the woman asked.

“We’re starving,” Carter said, so the waitress produced a menu.

They ordered and the waitress dashed off.

“It helps to know music people, doesn’t it?” Carter asked.

The seats they’d gotten were good. Not so far up front that they’d be blasted by the music and not be able to hear themselves think. Delia knew where to seat them. “I guess so. Delia’s a pretty great boss. I’ll miss working with her.”

The music was outstanding as well, and the food was great. Molly had to admit this was much better than grabbing fast food and hiding out in the apartment the rest of the night.

Carter seemed to enjoy the music, relaxing after he’d consumed his ribs and getting into the band that was playing. Since he wasn’t focused entirely on her, she could watch him, the way the corners of his mouth tilted up when he smiled, the easy way he sat back in his chair. He always seemed so comfortable in his own skin, so at ease no matter the situation.

While she was profoundly uncomfortable—especially around him.

She was going to have to get over it.

He finally shifted his gaze toward her, giving her a smile that rocked her all the way to her toes. It wasn’t a heated smile, just an enjoying-the-band-together kind of thing. Yet to Molly, the connection between them was still there, and it disturbed her greatly.

She’d really let him have it the night of the wedding, pouring out her anguish and anger. She’d all but slapped him and told him she hated him.

Yet here he was. He’d driven her all the way down here and hadn’t expected an apology. And now he was relaxed and smiling.

What kind of guy did that? Most men would have shut her out of their lives completely, left her sitting on the side of the road to fend for herself.

Not Carter though. Yes, he’d dropped the ball all those years ago, but they’d both been so young. Was she wrong to still blame him for that when there were so many other honorable things about him?

“Are you enjoying the band?” he asked over the loud music.

She nodded. “Yes. They’re great.”

He grinned. “I’m glad we decided to go out.”

“Me, too.”

He turned away to watch the band again, giving her more time to watch him.

She didn’t want to still be attracted to him. She wanted to feel nothing at all for him. Yet, after all these years, there it was. The smoking-hot chemistry she’d felt for him when she was fifteen still lingered. Despite all the baggage and trauma she’d suffered because of her relationship with Carter, the bottom line was, she was still attracted to him and there was no point denying it.

When the band took a break, she stood. “It’s getting kind of late, and we have a long drive tomorrow.”

He looked up at her. “Are you tired?”

“Kind of.” She wasn’t tired at all. She was keyed up, confused, all too aware of Carter, and she wanted to go hide in her bedroom.

“Sure. We can leave.” He got up and she grabbed her jacket. Carter was right there to hold it for her so she could slip her arms into it.

Why couldn’t he be a giant douchebag? Why couldn’t he have turned into some arrogant ass she couldn’t stand? Instead, he was courteous and nice and, if it was at all possible, he’d become even better-looking with the passage of time.

So unfair.

He drove them back to her apartment. “I’ll wait while you use the bathroom first.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

She went in and washed her face and brushed her teeth, then came out. Carter had a book in his lap and was lounging on the sofa. She went into the bedroom and grabbed a pillow and blanket.

“Here you go.”

He took it from her, and their fingers brushed, sending lightning strikes to every part of her. She quickly pulled her hand away, but she could tell from the look he gave her that he must have felt it, too.

“Molly . . .”

“Good night, Carter.”

He gave her a long look before nodding. “Night.”

She went into her bedroom and shut the door, pondered locking it, but then realized how ridiculous that would be. He wouldn’t come in. She took off her clothes and got into bed, staring up at the ceiling in her darkened room.

For some stupid reason, she wanted to go out there and talk to him. But about what? What could they possibly have to say to each other? It would only lead to more pain on her part. She was already in enough emotional trouble just being near him.