Join me and Jake for drinks tonight?

Already have plans. Thanks anyway. Tomorrow?

“Plans,” he muttered. Who did she know in Charlotte? It didn’t matter, because he hadn’t earned the right to be nosy about her personal life. Despite his little talk with her at Poor Boy’s, she was keeping him firmly in the friend zone.

Pick you up at five. Have fun. Friend zone or not, he couldn’t stop himself from adding, Be careful and call me when you get in.

K 

Motioning for the clerk, he indicated the necklace he wanted to see. Smiling, the woman gently removed it from the case and displayed it on black velvet. Diamond, sapphires and emeralds gleamed under the store lights. The gold chain was delicate, like the pendant.

“I’ll take it.”

“Would you like for me to gift wrap it, Mr. Ambrose?”

Melanie would probably like that. “Please.” He’d give it to her tomorrow as a thank you for putting up with him and cheering him on between meetings. She’d worn a pencil thin skirt, with a fitted suit jacket, her hair in a soft up-do as she sat at his side. Each little under-the-table pat on his knee made him feel ten feet tall and bullet proof.

He was really going to miss that when he moved.

***

Pouring himself a glass of Southern Comfort, he wandered around his house. April had been the one to pick out the floor plan, the neighborhood and the interior designer. It was perfect, or it had been.

April had taken her favorite pieces of furniture and all the artwork. The rest, she had said, he could sell on eBay or donate to Goodwill. He hadn’t done either, yet.

He sat down on the leather sofa in the media room, grabbing the remote. For almost forty five minutes, he watched his old races—the times he’d won and lost. And crashed.

Then he watched his last race, the one where he’d hit the wall so hard that his car had crumpled around him like an accordion.

Wincing, he clicked off the television. Yeah, he missed racing, but he did not miss the recovery time or the look on his mother’s face when he first opened his eyes in the hospital. Come to think of it, everyone he’d known had visited him, including Melanie.

Then again, Melanie had been a part of his life in some way, shape or form since he was eleven. Smiling, he leaned his head back and thought about his earliest memory of her.

He could see her clearly: Sunshine-colored hair, face full of freckles and big brown eyes. He’d been playing football on the playground and she’d asked to join in. The other boys had said no. Then she’d looked at him, batted her lashes, and he’d felt sucker-punched.

Hell, he still felt that way around her.

The doorbell rang, pulling him out of his memories. Rising from the sofa, he set his drink down on the way to answer the door.

A grin kicked up the corners of his mouth as Jake Henley walked in. “Hope you don’t mind, but I brought along an old friend and his guest.” Then Jake’s voice dropped, “Didn’t have choice. Chase beat my ass at the last stoplight. Told him where I was going, before I knew who was with him. Sorry.”

Carter shrugged. “Maybe he can contribute.” While breaking his balls.

Chase Montgomery stepped inside, shaking Carter’s hand. “Thanks for having me.”

Just as he closed the door, April breezed through. “Fancy seeing you here. Love what you’ve done with the place.”

Shit. No damn wonder Jake was sorry. “Come on in. Make yourself right at home,” Carter muttered to himself as he joined the threesome in his kitchen.

April cozied up to Chase, batting her big blue eyes at him. Nearly two years ago that same move had sent him chasing after her, pursuing April like she was the two million dollar purse at Daytona. A year ago, watching her do that would have sent him into a jealous rage. He would have shot off his mouth, then they would have had angry make-up sex.

Tonight, however, it didn’t even register. He smiled and reclaimed his drink, he took a long pull.

Despite April’s over the top flirting, Chase didn’t seem interested. Then again, Racing Royalty could have any woman he wanted around here. Hell, last year the man had dated the Princess of some European country he couldn’t remember the name of, their images splashed on every magazine and online gossip blog.

“A toast to my man, Carter, for knocking it out of the park today,” Jake said, lifting a glass. “Charlotte’s restoration car business won’t know what hit ‘em.”

Piercing grey eyes met Carter’s. “Finally made up your mind, huh? Thought you’d stay in Holland Springs.”

“Actually, that’s what I needed to talk to Jake about. Mind if we go in the other room?”

April tossed her hair. “I’ll be happy to keep Chase occupied.”

Just as Carter and Jake left the room, Carter bumped a picture with his hip. He stopped, picked up the frame and set it back in place.

“Already been occupied by you, darlin’. Or did you forget that time I showed you how to drive stick? Practiced in every car I owned until you got it right,” Chase said, his voice low, but Carter heard every word.

“You’re a bad boy, Chase Montgomery,” April cooed.

Still he felt nothing and kept walking. That’s really what had driven him and April apart, at least on her end. She wanted a bad boy twenty-four seven. Only once Carter committed to a woman, the bad boy took a backseat to the dedicated boyfriend.

Jake waited in Carter’s office, standing near the French doors that led outside.

“I’ve been thinking—”

“A dangerous pastime for you, man.” Jake grinned, his white teeth flashing the million dollar smile he was known for. He ran a hand through his hair, blue eyes gleaming with humor. “So what’s on your mind?”

Carter relayed his dilemma, then waited for Jake to mull it over.

After a few minutes, Jake said, “You should definitely open your business in Charlotte.”

“That much I already knew, but I’m not sure if it’s the best option.”

“Charlotte’s where you have the contacts, the social life and clients,” Jake pointed out.

Carter looked out through the French doors at his backyard. Pool lights gleamed under the water while steam rose from the top. “Definitely don’t have that in Holland Springs.” Unless he counted spending time with Melanie as his social life. He really should have invited her over to swim in his pool. Then he would have been able to watch her splash around, her breasts bobbing as she floated on her back.

He gave himself a mental shake and turned to face Jake, only to spy April standing in the doorway, looking like a cat that had caught the canary.

“Need something?” he said. How much had she heard?

“Looking for the ladies room.”

“What are you doing here? I thought you couldn’t be torn away from my mother.”

“Had an appointment with my hair dresser.” She let out a little huff. “Bathroom?”

Shaking his drink, he listened to the ice rattling around. “You picked out the house, April. I’m pretty sure you know where everything is located.”

“That I do.” Blowing him a kiss, she sauntered away.

“Damn good day when the two of you broke up,” Jake said from behind him. “Anyway, how about going into business with me? I know my way around cars and finances.”

“Don’t I know it, Mr. MBA,” Carter said, bumping his fist against Jake’s. “I’ll give it some serious consideration, but in the meantime, let’s get rid of my guests and get the hell out of here.”

Chapter Twelve

The minute he stepped foot into King’s, Carter knew Melanie was here. A cute waitress, wearing all black, led him and Jake to the club’s VIP section on the second floor. From up here he could survey the entire dance floor, but the flashing lights and columns made it difficult for those on the lower level to see him.

A flash of sunshine-colored hair caught his eye and he found his girl in the center of the dance floor, shaking her cute ass with her arms in the air. Dressed in a flirty skirt and hot pink halter top, she had the attention of every man in the place. A slow grin kicked up the corners of his mouth as she wagged a finger at the guy who’d come up behind her and scooted away.

Jake joined him at the railing.“Is that—”

“Yep.”

“Damn. She’s really filled out since last I saw her.”

“She looks the same and you keep your damn eyes to yourself,” Carter growled.

Melanie pulled a laughing woman out on the floor and the two began to dance.

Jake laughed. “How’s your sister, Zoe?”

“In a relationship.”

“Dude, I’m just yanking your chain.” His buddy ambled over to the long silver sofa and sat down, spreading his arms along the back. “Mind if I invite some ladies to join us?”

That’s exactly what he needed. Or so he thought.

Jake ticked up his chin and two women, dressed to kill, sauntered over. One joined him at the balcony. She opened plump lips and he held up his hand.

“Hi, I’m Carter and I’m seeing someone.”

A little smile played on the woman’s lips as a cocktail waitress handed each of them a beer. “Hi, Carter. I’m Kelly and why aren’t you with her?”

He tilted the beer down toward the dance floor. “I am, only I really messed things up. So here I am, up here and relegated to the friend zone while I watch over Melanie.”

“You’re stalking her?” Kelly’s brow furrowed as she brushed back a long strand of blond hair.“FYI: I’m a self-defense instructor and I’ll totally kick your ass if you so much as try to go all—”

“No, nothing like that. I’ve been protective of her since we were kids. Kind of a habit now.” One he liked and had missed while he dated April. He took a long pull from the bottle. “Initially, I asked her to text me when she got back to her hotel room. Wasn’t planning on see her at all tonight. My buddy, Jake, picked out this place and she just happened to be here.”

Kelly didn’t look completely convinced but held up her drink. “Here’s to getting her back.”

Here’s to him not fucking things up again. He finished the last of his beer and joined Jake on the sofa, shrugging out of his coat. He kept one eye on Melanie while he and his buddy discussed strategy for Jake’s next race.

A little after midnight, Melanie waved good-bye to the group of friends she had apparently made and began to push her way through the throng of people. He jumped up, intent on catching her before she left.

“Where’s the fire?” Jake called out, his arms around the very lovely Kelly and her friend, Sharon.

Carter headed for the stairs. “Need to make sure she gets to the hotel safe.”

“Bring her with you tomorrow.” Jake threw Carter’s jacket at him. “I could use some inspiration.”

Catching his jacket, he flashed his buddy a grin. “Planned on it, but you can find inspiration elsewhere.”

“Holler at you later.”

Taking the stairs two at a time, Carter snagged Melanie’s arm just as she walked outside. A sharp elbow came flying back just as her foot stomped down on his toes. “Arrg!” He stumbled, nearly toppling her over.

“Carter,” she gasped, her brown eyes round. “I’m so sorry. I thought you were some random guy trying to cop a feel.”

Of her elbow? “Nope, just me.” He blinked, trying not to wince at the pain as he rubbed his stomach. “Wanted to give you a ride back to the hotel.”

“That’s nice of you, but I already texted a cab.”

“Good, we’ll share it.”

She let out a thick sigh. “Carter you don’t have to end your date just to take care of me.”

Raising his brows, he tilted his head to one side. So, she had seen him and maybe, just maybe she’d been dancing out there for his benefit. “I’m not on a date. Don’t get me wrong-I enjoy Jake’s company, but he’s just not into me.”

“So your love is unrequited, bless your heart.” Her lips twitched, then thinned. “Hopefully one of those girls you had up there can make it all better.”

“Rather be with you, making sure you get home okay.” The hopeful expression that had appeared on her face disappeared faster than the smoke on the water. He wanted to smack himself.

“I don’t need your misplaced sense of watching out for your sister’s best friend. I’m fine on my own.”

“Humor me anyway.”

The cab pulled up to the curb and Melanie moved toward it. Carter beat her to the door, opening it for her and sliding in once she was settled.

After giving the driver her address, he settled back into the seat. They rode in stony silence back to the hotel. Or at least she did. He spent most of the time trying to figure out the best way to get her to spend the day with him and give her the necklace he had stashed in his coat pocket.

Jesus Christ. He needed to man-up and do the direct approach.

“Come spend the day with me, out at the Speedway.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out the small box. “While we’re there, will you where this for me?”

Delicately arched brows dipped together as she unwrapped and opened the gift. Her eyes flew to his. “What’s this?”

“It’s yours.” He bit the side of his lip. “And it’s my apology, part two.”

“A girl could get used to this kind of apologizing.” Melanie glanced down, pulling on the delicate chain nestled within the box. A small hummingbird dangled from the center, diamond, emeralds and sapphires joined together to form its body. “It’s gorgeous.”