Valentine's Dream: Love Changes Everything / Sweet Sensation / Made in Heaven

“You came in for a quick meeting before flying over to Germany.”

“It was also Becca’s birthday. We’re going to go through this every time we see each other.”

It was a statement, not a question. Grace felt bad that she’d given him the impression that she didn’t want to see him, but she also felt that she’d been put on the defensive.

“I was working. I was distracted. There was so much going on at the gala, and...”

“Relax, Grace. Apology accepted, okay?”

She glared at his profile. “That wasn’t an apology.”

“Look, I’m going to rewind the tape back to the beginning of the evening, and we’re going to start over.”

Grace was surprised at how relieved she felt that Carter had adroitly smoothed over the awkwardness. It also annoyed her that he didn’t seem nearly as unsettled as she felt.

“If you want,” she agreed.

“You first,” Carter said, giving her a brief glance.

“Carter! It’s so great to see you,” Grace exclaimed with exaggerated excitement. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to be in New York? I would have baked a cake.”

He grimaced and shook his head. “Be careful. Don’t overdo it.”

Grace stared ahead. “I’m being real now. I was shocked to suddenly see you. And it is nice to see you. Honest.”

He chuckled, his wide smile showing white, even teeth, and his eyes almost squinting in amusement. “Okay. I’ll accept that. Sorry I didn’t let you know I was coming, but I didn’t find out myself until early this morning.”

“Why so last minute?”

“Actually, not so last minute. I knew a few days ago that the firm was offering me a new position that would mean moving to New York.”

“Oh.”

“There was a lot to consider. Do I want to move to the city?”

She waited, not hearing any definitive answer. “Did coming to the dinner tonight have anything to do with the offer?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. I flew in early enough to meet my new colleagues, to see my new office, to look over a few apartments I can choose from to lease until I decide on more permanent housing.”

“Oh.”

He started laughing. “Oh? I can’t decide if that means you’re surprised, happy, disappointed or what.”

“It just means oh,” Grace said noncommittally.

“Fine. Anyway, once I knew I was attending the gala, I called your office. They said you were busy getting ready for an event this evening, so at least I knew you’d be on hand. I thought I’d surprise you.”

“Well, you certainly did that,” Grace murmured a little dryly. She glanced at him. “Are you really going to move to New York?”

“Looks like it,” he said, glancing her way again. Silence spread between them for almost a full minute before he spoke again. “Is that going to be a problem?”

Grace shrugged. “Why should it?”

For the rest of the ride to her house, they managed to keep the conversation on the safe topic of his job, which was as financial executive for an international corporate firm. Grace got questioned about her position as events coordinator for a private library, a major step up from working in guest services. They talked about mutual acquaintances and family. About Madison and Becca, her two young children. About Benson. They reached the quiet and orderly suburban community in Westchester, which lay immediately north or the city, in about forty minutes.

“You’ll have to take me to the station. I left my car there this morning.”

Grace gave Carter directions. Her late-model Honda Accord was among only five cars remaining in the commuter lot. She got in and started the engine, and Carter followed closely behind her as she headed home.

They finally reached Grace’s house in a quiet residential neighborhood of spacious detached homes. The raised ranch, which she and Benson had considered their starter home, intending to move once he felt more secure in his position as one of several deputies in the mayor’s office, was on a quarter-acre lot set back from the street. It had a modest circular drive and was landscaped with several trees that provided a natural but subtle screen from passing vehicular and pedestrian traffic. There was still quite a bit of snow around the property.

Grace turned into her driveway, and Carter pulled in behind her, turning off his engine. She thought that he would get out of his car to say good-night, and when he didn’t, she climbed inside instead. Immediately, the suburban stillness closed in around them. The warmth from the car heater began to quickly dissipate.

Grace wasn’t sure why, but she waited for Carter to say something first.

“Before I forget, I have something for you,” Carter said. He reached behind her seat and grabbed a small, gold-toned shopping bag with red-and-gold ribbons tied to the handles. He set it in her lap.

Grace stared at the bag without touching it. She felt a peculiar sensation, a cross between surprise at the unexpected gift...and suspicion.

“What is it?”

“It’s the goody bag the company prepared for all the guests. I took one for you.”

She looked at him and half smiled in exasperation. “First Carmen and now you?”

“Who’s Carmen?”

“Oh...never mind. Why are you giving this to me?” Grace asked, poking through the red tissue paper to look inside.

“Because there won’t be a thing in the bag that I want or can use. The goody bags are for the women guests. It’s yours.”

“Thank you. But isn’t there someone else you can give it to?” she asked.

Carter shifted in his seat so that he could fully face her. His gaze was thoughtful, but also faintly amused.

“Is that your way of asking whether I’m seeing anyone?”

Grace turned her head away in a haughty manner. “I wasn’t trying to be nosy.”

“There is someone I’m interested in. The relationship is still new, but I have high hopes,” Carter explained.

“Well. That’s nice,” Grace murmured, checking to make sure she had all her things. Taking her house keys from her purse, she added, “You never liked any of the women Benson tried to set you up with.”

“Benson had no idea what kind of woman I want.”

“He could be opinionated, but I know he meant well.”

“I know he meant well, too,” Carter agreed.