My breath caught a little, and I was undeniably a little weak and nervous.

I hesitated for a few seconds before picking up the phone.

Carter's low voice came through, "Back at the office yet?"

"No, I went back to my store. Aren't you busy? Why did you have time to call me?"

"I suddenly missed you." He whispered, and after the words fell, he added one more word, "Really."

That one word rattled my heartstrings and my heartbeat spiked.

"Nicola, I'm afraid I won't be able to go back with you tonight, will you miss me?"

I didn't expect him to ask that out of the blue, and I...