The Carrero Heart - Beginning (Friends to Lovers)

I have finally unpacked the clothes I want to keep handy, into Arrick’s spare room wardrobe, and every other box is piled neatly in the corner. I know with the speed the Carreros get things done, I should have an apartment sooner than later. I’m looking forward to having my own space though and if last night is anything to go by, staying here will get harder as time passes. The sooner I move out and get some distance, a real step up in my life, get this show on the road, so to speak, the sooner I will feel better.

The drive home was strained, mostly silent, and Arrick hasn’t even tried to talk me out of my mood. He left me be to stare at the scenery, lost in my own thoughts and listen to the radio. Four hours of music and heavy silence, with only the odd conversation about food when he stopped at a drive through-u. I have literally lost all will to even try today, and he is doing what he does best. Submerged in his head, mulling over God knows what and presenting that cool facade to the world as though he hasn’t a goddamn care. It makes me feel like punching him in the throat.

I’m hurt and angry, and I want to shake him until he realizes he loves only me, whether it’s true or not. This is driving me insane, and I wish he had never said anything at all about his feelings, wishing I was back to never knowing that he cared at all. I wonder if I should have stuck to the plan of cutting him off and keeping him out, because I know it would be less agony than this dangling on a thread thing he has me doing now. This isn’t how true love is supposed to be; he is supposed to know he loves me, and only me, and throw everything else aside to be with me.

Why did I have to fall in love with a guy who over thinks, over analyses and cares too much about everyone and everything, to just go with his gut? Why did I have to fall for the one guy who is not an asshole, and won’t just do what he wants selfishly when other people are involved?

“Dinner is here.” Arrick ducks his head into my room and gazes at me expressionlessly, no hint of anything in his tone at all. We have only conversed when needed since we got here, and we’re going through some sort of passive-aggressive standoff. He seems as uninterested in resolving this as I am. Tired of the atmosphere and left me to unpack while he did whatever it is he does in his study when he disappears in there.

I don’t respond, just drop the makeup bag I’m holding on the bed and follow him out to his open-plan lounge. Unaware he even ordered dinner for us and surprised that it’s this late already. The growing dimness of the skyline alerts me to the fact it’s evening and my day has passed in a blur of driving, silence and being pissed off.

He’s set up the food on the dining table at the far wall by the long wide windows; the sun setting in that little corner, and the smell of food makes me realize I’m starving. My stomach grumbling and taking over the constant aching weight inside of me to give it some respite.

out invitingly and neatly presented. Arrick normally orders from one on the east side religiously, but I always claimed that this one was far superior. I catch that quick glance my way as

from the menu; my favorites, all of them in fact. Even things he always refuses to order simply because he can’t stand the smell of them. He’s really thought about this, even though it’s just food, and I start to unload a selection to my plate with the chopsticks, smiling a little, yet I still want

knows how to get under my skin, and the small glances and that little smug half smile of his, that I’ve noticed his attention to what I like. An Arrick peace offering, because flowers were obviously not going to be repeated, and he knows I would never toss food out a window. I break into a small smile and shake my head, not meeting

with his, playfully cute and still being coy. I can see his face without looking up, see him watching me with that half smirk

I answer flatly, digging into my food heartily with the hunger of a starved stray. Not ready to forgive him so easily, just on principle, because I think I should make him suffer for a little longer. That kiss was special, amazing, and his willingness to dismiss how it felt, and act like it was nothing, is still getting to me on

that could melt icebergs. If they had him on the Titanic, then I am sure it would have avoided all disaster on the strength

to answer it. He has this intercom thing which disables access to his floor via the elevator if he wants privacy. To get up they have to use the front desk and call up for him to accept it, or if you have a key card and his passcode, then you can get up without buzzing. Whoever it

don’t even acknowledge when I hear him buzz whoever it is in. I

side of the table for a moment, I glance up, wondering what he’s doing, and realize

He’s weirding me out and anxiously hovering beside me, and he suddenly crouches down on his haunches so he can get more level with me and

you to behave, and not throw your dummy out, for like one night. Even if you’re still pissed at me.” He frowns at me and I look at him like he’s gone nuts. Scrutinizing his face intently and questioning him with

the hell he’s on. Arrick hesitates, takes a deep breath, and