The Carrero Heart - Beginning (Friends to Lovers)

The walk back is odd, we’re walking apart, my arms across my body as I feel like being by myself right now and not having the contact. I’m tired and emotional and edgy. He’s trying to make idle chit chat, intent on keeping us talking about any topic he comes up with and I am responding, but I am fully aware of his constant fixed gaze on my profile as we walk and it’s starting to make me nervy. I can’t relax with the way he seems honed into my every movement and mannerism.

“You can stop staring at me for like maybe five minutes.” I point out and smile when his eyebrows dip in that cute way he has. He looks away for a minute and then back again.

“You noticed, huh?” He acts coyly and shrugs my way. Not him at all, he’s always been super confident in every way and this seems weird.

“Just a little, you know … penetrating gaze latched onto my skull.” I giggle at him, even more so with how sheepish he’s become since I pointed it out and let go of the tension a little.

“I can’t help it. I spent months missing this view, dreaming about you, and I’m worried that if I look away you might disappear again.” His tone immediately turns serious and his eyes, although still facing my way seem less zoned in on me and I relax a little.

“I guess I know what you mean.” I agree, knowing that I too am getting used to his sudden presence again and it still feels unreal and dreamlike. That the last months are some sort of alternate dimension now. He was in my head so many times in his absence that his real presence isn’t quite normal to me yet either.

“I missed you. I know it was my fault, but it doesn’t take away how much it sucked. You’re like a sunset to me or a pretty view of a shoreline. Some people like art, they like watching the sea. I’ve always liked looking at you. You have a unique kind of beauty, and are the most breath-taking view on the planet.” The seriousness of his statement makes my heart ache suddenly and tears prick my eyes, knowing fine well he means every word and I don’t know how to react. There’s a silent moment as we both look away; he clears his throat and I fiddle with my fingers awkwardly. Affected by how sweet he can be and so genuine, still afraid to let him see that he gets to me though.

“You’re so lame.” I breathe out through intense emotional reaction, swallowing down tears and his laugh breaks the tension.

the most.” He reaches out and pulls me to him by the upper arm and finds no resistance. Bending in cautiously and slowly moving in towards my mouth. I see it coming a mile off, the way his eyes focus on mine as though seeking permission before he kisses me softly. His nose rubs

so he can kiss me properly. It reminds me of the night Emma had Ava, only so much more intense and he doesn’t

the guy who never seemed to do any sort of public displays of lovey-doveyness, just

to lip. I nod, unable to formulate a reply while he looks at me exactly this way. Heart bounding crazily in my chest and knowing this look

mine, Sophie. I finally know how it feels to kiss the girl you will only ever kiss again from here until eternity.” He whispers breathily, and my insides fall apart, the last ounces of doubt that I don’t want this with him falls around me and my heart bleeds

I respond shakily, parts of me on show that I’ve been too afraid to let him near

… I swear. Hurting you hurts me too.

***

crashing in on top of us when they finally show face.” I smile, stifling a yawn, very glad of the suggestion of some

Arrick lets me go and turns, walking across the plush carpet as he kicks off his sneakers. Getting to the door he locks it and heads back to my bed, taking a little run and jump so he lands in

on my bed gently, climbing onto my knees until I scoot closer to him. Arrick reaches out, catching my hand and tugs me over so I fall on top of him with a shocked yelp, followed by giggles as he rolls over on top of me, flattening me to the bed, pinning me down so he comes nose to nose with me, nestled against my body in a perfect fit. His eyes scan my face, the hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth and one

his chin on my chest, so he can gaze up at me, shuffling his body down the bed a little. I nod, letting my fingers tail that manicured set of eyebrows, down that chiseled face to the angular jawline slowly, following my progress with his eyes focus on mine. “Come home with me, Sophs, stay with me tonight at my apartment.” He watches me, frowning a little as I break into a smile, pushing him off so I can slide to my side to face him instead; his arms come around me, pulling me in so he can bring his nose back to mine. I guess letting him make out with me has brought back the ‘she’s never off-limits to me’ side of him once more.

nose against mine, the way I have seen Jake do to Emma a million times and for a moment it’s

pushing his forehead against mine a little more. I shove