Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 103

Lana

I hadn’t thought anything of it when I left Briar with Amber. Carter didn’t want her alone in case he showed up. How was I supposed to know she would offer to take the pup to the bathroom? So happened, he had found her in that few minutes I wasn’t even aware of her absence.

Carter slipped into my mind when he walked off with Briar to get more food since the pups had basically eaten half of their lunch. 

“You were supposed to stay with her!”

“I know, I fucked up! She ran into him, you know? It's my fault.” 

Carter was quiet for a moment. Maybe confirming with Briar.

“He was bound to meet her eventually. I just have a feeling he waited until she was vulnerable and alone with the kids to make his move. She brushed him off, but I can tell the encounter unnerved her.  I just… what's done is done. Let's not let it ruin the rest of the day. I told her I knew who she bumped into and just to steer clear of him. I don’t want him cornering her again. Next time, she won’t have the pups for a buffer.”

“I really am sorry, Carter. I know she means a lot to you. She means a lot to me, too.”

“Hey, don’t go stealing my girl.”

“Not like that, Carter. I know she’s hot and I tease, but that's just to get under your skin. I love Briar like a friend, like a sister, so letting her down, or you down for watching her safety, tears me up. You should be able to trust me with that. I may not be high in dominance, but I will always look out for her. I just didn’t think she would walk away in the few moments I went to get snacks.” I told him honestly. 

“Nothing happened, he said he wanted to see her; he saw her. Let's just hope that's the end of it.” Carter's voice in my head went quiet as they walked up, and I beamed at Briar. My friend, whom I had failed, and she didn’t even know it, as she placed a plate of fried Oreos graciously in front of me.  I looked up at her and beamed but the worry in her face proved I hadn’t covered my regret that had obviously shone in my eyes.

“You OK Lan?”

“Yeah, I am now,” I lied as I picked up a delectable treat and bit into it. I got lost in my thoughts as they bantered. How was Carter doing this? Keeping all the secrets so easily? That’s right it was in her best interest. I sighed, suddenly not hungry as I forced myself to eat another. Secrets had a way of catching up with people.

“You know you're going to have to start telling her things soon?” I spoke into Carter's mind as I peered up over Briar’s head at him as she ate. He glanced at me, then down at Briar. Troubled thoughts were clear in that look.

“I know,” his voice ghosted back to me.

We ate and then we wandered around the fair trying out a few rides and games. Carter won Briar a giant stuffed unicorn and she won him a puppy holding a heart in his hands. I watched the clock. When the time was getting close I steered them to the food contests. First was chili then a hot dog eating contest. When it came to deserts I started hopping from one foot to the other. Carter eyed me curiously. When the dishes were announced they got to the fifth one and Briar's jaw dropped.

“You sneaky fucking bitch! I thought Carter ate the pie!”

“There was pie?” Carter asked aghast.

“There were two,” I pointed out.

“Yeah and you commended the second, after polishing off the first,” Briar accused.

“I liked it so much I stole it and entered it into the contest.”

Briar rolled her eyes. 

“Why? It's just a poor Appalachian recipe, it's nothing fancy.”

“Pfft, it was amazing and everyone should know it.”

Briar shook her head in disbelief.

The judges began taste testing and the crowd became quiet. Several moments later they came up to the microphone to announce the winners. A decadent chocolate cake got 3rd prize. A cheesecake 2nd.

“Bragging rights to the first prize goes to Briar Anderson with a buttermilk salted caramel pie. Briar’s jaw dropped and she didn’t know what to do as Carter and I pushed her forward. They handed her a ribbon and gift basket full of goodies and gift cards. She smiled nervously as a few pictures were taken and shook some hands. Everyone clapped and Carter and I whooped and hollered for her. She looked up from the commotion her eyes locked on something far behind us. Carter and I followed her gaze as he clapped from the back of the tent, his face turned up into a strange smile, his eyes glued to hers. Carter growled and I grabbed his arm, willing him to calm down when his sister popped up beside him.

“So your new toy knows how to bake.” she said dryly. Carter scowled at her and I dragged him off to the side to reel him in. What was her problem anyway?