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.

mouth. I see it coming a mile off, the way his eyes focus on mine

our bodies inching together so we touch in every way and his own hands get buried in the under the layers of my hair, angling so he can kiss me properly. It reminds me of the night Emma had Ava, only so much more intense and he doesn’t pull away. He kisses me until a passing honk of a horn makes us break apart, giggling awkwardly when we realize we have probably been making out in full view for minutes. Oblivious to everything and the fact we

sort of public displays of lovey-doveyness, just made love to my mouth

caught in the tender moment even if we are no longer lip to lip. I nod, unable to formulate a reply while he looks at me exactly this way. Heart bounding crazily in my chest and

could undo the past, but I can’t. I do not, however, plan on making the same mistake ever again and losing this. You’re mine, Sophie. I finally know how it feels to kiss the girl you will only

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

swear. Hurting you hurts me too. I just want to make you

***

top of us when they finally show face.” I smile, stifling a yawn, very glad of the suggestion of some sleep. The sudden awakening this morning was bright and early, and

the door he locks it and heads back to my bed, taking a little run and jump so he lands in

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

apartment.” He watches me, frowning a little as I break into a smile, pushing him off so I can slide to

million times and for a moment it’s weird to see what exactly is a Carrero trait, rather than a Jake or an Arry trait.

leave me hanging and work for it?” Arrick’s expression turns serious, pushing his forehead against mine a little more. I shove him away playfully and give him