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 all

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 reason he’s keeping his tone down. He must be in

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,

talk to you about it. Your head is not’ the only one which has been fucked up by this.” His tone is ravaged; I know Arrick better than most, I’m one of the few people he openly gets emotional in front of, and this is so not him to be like this when surrounded by others. I hate that this is hurting him as much as it’s hurting me, but I have to be stronger, I have to do what’s

you and get some sanity back. Maybe after that, we can see each other ... but not until then.” A knot of

that ... What if you need me? What if I need you?” He sounds desperate, his voice

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