Page 66 of Finding Carly
“Come on,” Elodie said, standing up and holding out her hand. “I’ll go with you.”
“You know we aren’t at a bar, you don’t have to go in pairs,” Kenna said.
“I know, but it’s the girl code,” Elodie insisted.
“How about we move the party to the balcony?” Lexie suggested.
“Awesome idea. I’ll get some blankets,” Kenna said, jumping up from the couch.
“And I’ll grab the rest of the malasadas we didn’t eat earlier,” Carly said.
Hours later, as Carly lay on the couch and prayed the room stopped spinning so she could get some sleep, she couldn’t stop smiling. Tonight had been fun. She’d missed hanging with Kenna and the others. Shawn had taken so much from her, and he’d almost taken this away too.
She vowed to herself, listening to Elodie snore from the large beanbag in the corner of the room, to never let anyone come between her and her friends again. She also began to plot. She wanted what the others had. She wanted Jag. Wanted him to know how much he meant to her. And since she knew she was too chicken to come right out and say the words, she’d have to show him.
She didn’t know when, but she figured she’d know when the time was right. And that time was coming. She couldn’t wait.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
“You’re seriously not going to tell me where we’re going today?” Carly cajoled.
The days were going by surprisingly fast, and while both she and Jag were frustrated at the lack of new information about her situation, Carly wasn’t really dwelling on it anymore. Easier said than done, of course, but she was pretty proud of how well she was doing. She’d even gone down to the grocery store for the second time by herself the other day. Jag was working, and Carly felt stupid calling Kenna or someone else to come and hold her hand while she grabbed some butter. They’d run out, and she wanted to bake cookies to surprise Jag.
Jag and Slate had gone to her apartment and brought her car, an older model Ford Escape, to his complex a while ago. The trip to the store wasn’t as difficult as she thought it might be, going out the first time by herself. She kept her eye out for anyone who might be following, just as Elizabeth had taught her. Instead of looking down, or at her phone, Carly kept her chin up and met the eyes of the people she passed. It gave her the confidence she needed to get through the short trip.
It was her biggest baby step by far, and Jag had complimented her profusely. Carly knew he wasn’t happy that Shawn’s mysterious accomplice was still a viable threat, but as for herself…she was slowly coming to terms with the fact that they might never know. She couldn’t live her life hiding away, in that case. She was proud of herself for how far she’d come, though she knew without Jag by her side, pushing and being her cheerleader, she wouldn’t be where she was today.
He’d told her last night that he had a surprise for her today, but refused to tell her where they were going. His only clue was for her to wear closed-toe shoes.
“Are we ziplining?” she asked.
“Not telling. It’s a surprise,” Jag said with a smile. “But I think you’re gonna like it.”
Things with Jag were also going amazingly well. Yes, she was grateful for all he’d done to help her, but her feelings ran so much deeper. She enjoyed being around him more every day. He was funny, sweet, and even when they weren’t talking, just existing in the same place, she was comfortable and happy.
They still spent their nights cuddled together in his bed, their physical attraction as intense as ever. Their make-out sessions had gotten more intimate…but now that she was ready to take things to the next level, it seemed as if Jag was still holding back. Carly had no idea why.
She was ready for more. Ready to make love with Jag. But every time she tried to get up the nerve to make the first move, as her friends had suggested, something stopped her. Jag didn’t seem to be all that interested in having sex, and it was concerning. With every day that passed, Carly’s desire grew. She didn’t think he’d changed his mind about wanting to be with her, about dating, but in the evenings when they kissed, he backed off first. It was confusing…and frustrating.
“Carly?” he asked.
She realized she’d been staring into space while she was thinking. She turned to look at him. “Yeah?”
“You okay? You seem…introspective today.”
“I guess I am. But I’m good. I mean, sometimes I feel as if I’m on a roller coaster. Some days I feel like my old self, and other days I struggle to do so.”
“I think that’s normal. But I’m extremely proud of you.”
“Thanks. I’m proud of me too.”
Jag lifted their clasped hands and kissed the back of hers, sending goose bumps down Carly’s arm.
She noticed they were driving to the east side of the island, but still hadn’t guessed where they were going. She hadn’t spent a lot of time out here, had no idea what there was to do in the area. The road turned north and Carly could see the ocean.
“It’s so pretty,” she mused.
“I’d never even seen the ocean before I joined the Navy,” Jag said.
