Emma understood, and that gave Molly more relief than she’d ever thought possible.

“I’ve missed you all these years, Moll. I wish you had told me sooner.”

She felt her sister’s pain from across the table. “I’ve missed you, too. I was just a mess for so long and I had to figure myself out. Plus, I’ve harbored all this anger and resentment for Carter.”

“And now?”

She shrugged. “We talked it out the night of your wedding. Or I yelled at him and told him how I felt. But it just seemed like I was rehashing old hurts. I had to let it go. I can’t do over the past and make it turn out differently, and he feels like shit over what happened. Neither of us are the same people we were back then.”

“Carter’s a good guy, Molly.”

“Yeah, so I’ve noticed since I’ve been back. I had this image of him in my head all these years—the image was of the boy who hurt me. It’s like I froze him in time in that one moment, making him this awful person. That’s not who he is and I had to leave that Carter in the past.”

Emma pushed her plate to the side, and waited while their waitress came by and refilled their glasses.

“And now?” Emma asked. “It seems like you’re spending some time with Carter.”

“I am. He’s still the fun, romantic, sexy guy I used to know, and I’m getting to know the man he’s become.”

“You like him.”

“Yes.”

“And you’re obviously having sex with him.”

Such a weird conversation to have with her big sister. “Well, yes.”

Emma grinned. “So you put the past behind you, and you’re enjoying the now.”

“That’s it exactly,” she said, then took a sip of her own iced tea. “I’m living in the moment, having some fun with him.”

“Is that all there is? Just the now?”

“I can’t have a future with him, Emma. I’m not staying in Hope. Once Mom is back on her feet, I’m out of here again.”

Emma’s smile disappeared. “Why?”

She shrugged. “Because I like the travel and the opportunities I can have when I move around.”

“That sounds like a line from a brochure, not how you really feel, Moll. Maybe you should listen to your heart, and give Carter—and Hope—another chance. You might fall in love all over again.”

That wasn’t going to happen. She’d loved Carter once, and he’d broken her heart. She’d never open her heart to him again.

Fun and sex was one thing.

Love? Never again.

Chapter 20

IT WAS HALLOWEEN, one of Carter’s favorite days of the year. And even better, it was on a Saturday, so he spent the day prepping the house. He’d e-mailed and texted invites to the party he was having tonight and had shopped for all the booze and food he was going to need. Now all that was left was the prep.

He’d cleaned the house from top to bottom and he’d bought candy for the kid portion of the night, which would take place early. After nine, the adult portion would start, though whoever wanted to come over early and help hand out candy could do that. He hoped people would show up early. The more people around to share Halloween with the kids, the more fun it would be.

Bash wasn’t going to be able to make it since he was running the bar tonight. Too bad for him, because Carter could throw one hell of a party. He’d done these every year, and while the weeknight ones were fun, the weekend ones were legendary.

When the doorbell rang, he grabbed a paper towel to wipe his hands, then went to the door.

Molly being there surprised him, since she’d told him earlier in the week she wasn’t sure she was going to be able to make it until much later in the evening. Since it was only two in the afternoon, it was a shock to see her on his doorstep.

“Hey,” he said. “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve been given a reprieve. Emma and Luke showed up at the house after Emma got off work. She wants to cook for Mom and Dad tonight and help them hand out candy.”

“So you get a night off?”

She gave him a smile. “I do. So I hope you don’t mind, but I hightailed it out of there before she changed her mind. Luke said to tell you they’ll be over after the candy portion at Mom and Dad’s.”

“Okay.”

“I thought you might need some help for the party tonight.”

“I’m glad you’re here. I hope you brought your costume with you.”

She held up a bag. “Wouldn’t leave home without it.”

“Care to give me a hint as to what you’re wearing?”

She pulled the bag close to her chest. “Not a chance. You’ll have to wait for tonight to see it.”

He grinned. “All right, then.” He eyed the bag. “But now you’ve got me curious.”

“Do I? Good.” She came inside. “Where can I set this stuff down?”

“You can have the master bedroom to get ready, so put your things in there.”

She was hoping he’d say that, because she had plans for him for later, and it involved his bedroom. She went in there and laid her purse and bag down, then came back to find him in the kitchen making of all things a cheese ball.

“Aren’t you all domestic?”

He looked up. “I don’t know about that, but I can read a recipe.”

She went to the sink to wash her hands, then rolled up her sleeves. “What can I do to help?”

“Slice some celery and carrots, and then make dip?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Positioned side by side, they prepared the snacks for the party. She enjoyed being with him in his kitchen, and he was obviously one of those rare men who didn’t mind cooking. He finished an incredible cheese ball, then prepped a few other appetizers. Molly knew a lot of men who would have just propped their feet up and watched football, then presented their guests with bags of chips and some salsa.

Though he did have a game on in the living room, so they watched while they worked.

“That kid who plays quarterback for Texas is killing it,” she said while she made artichoke dip.

“Oh, Nathan Riley? Yeah, he’s really good. His dad is a pro quarterback for San Francisco. Following in the family footsteps, I guess.” Carter paused, then looked at her. “You follow football?”