The Carrero Heart - Beginning (Friends to Lovers)

Pulling my cell from my bag stubbornly, intent on ending this if it kills me, I swipe to my block list, find his name and press unblock. I at once follow it with ‘call’ before I lose my nerve or change my mind. I sit back, heart pounding through my chest and pulse rate erratic, but I must stop this once and for all.

He answers after two short rings, and I have to control the stab of pain that his voice gives me.

“Sophie?” He sounds shocked, yet emotional.

I pull myself together and sit up straighter. Taking a long deep breath to steady my inner chaos and center myself so I sound calm and mature. My stomach twists and my hands shake.

I state forcefully, trying to keep

then cut me off, Sophs. I told you we needed to talk about this.” He sounds strained, so unlike his normal cool self, and the noise in the background suggests he is at Carrero Corp. The hustle and bustle of office noises and the

need to, and nothing can fix this except space. What is talking going to do, Arry? Huh? Are you going to suddenly not love Natasha anymore and ask me to settle down and be your girlfriend?” It comes out nastily, hurt moving in, and I scold myself for sounding so pathetic. Hate myself for lashing out at him, when really,

is ravaged; I know Arrick better than most, I’m one of the few people

texting, and just leave me alone. Let me get over you and get some sanity back. Maybe after that, we can see each other ... but not until then.” A knot of emotion hits me hard in the throat, threatening to choke me, but I must stay tough on

... What if you need me? What if I need you?”

to be a better person, for me, and I’m trying to find a way to get on in life. I can’t do that if you keep pulling me back to you. If you care about me, like you say