Open Case File [COMPLETED]

A Normal Day

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Light from overhead illuminated the living room. Outside was a canvas of glowing windows and a darkened sky. Piles of supplies and trash littered the floor. The smell of wood and paint told of a day well spent and a task completed.

Carter took a step back, admiring the view. The bookcase looked good, but that wasn't what she was looking at. Donovan was kneeling next to the structure, hammering in the final nail, the muscles in his arm pushing against his shirt sleeve. There was a thin layer of dust in his hair and he was barefoot.

If Carter was being honest with herself, she really didn't blame Ashley, he was something to stare at. But that was the thing, he was her man to stare at, no one else's.

"You can stop staring at my butt," Donovan said, finishing up.

"Now why would I do that?"

Standing, he faced her, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"She's really got you riled up, hasn't she?"

Annoyed that what he said was true, Carter crossed her arms.

"What do you want me to say? You knew her before I knew you and clearly, you liked her."

Donovan wiped his hands on his pants. "I never said that."

Carter cocked her head at him. "Donovan, when have you ever known me to be stupid? You don't interact with a woman like that because you like her personality. Also, the fact that you told me she was a lifeguard means you mostly saw her in a bathing suit."

Caught in a tight corner, Donovan closed the distance between and cupped Carter's face.

"Okay, yes that might have been the case but as you said before, I knew her before I knew you. How was I supposed to know that a more gorgeous, brilliant girl waited for me? That would seem almost too good to be true."

Carter hated herself. Hated how a single person could make her feel so completely worthless in only a matter of seconds.

"She's glamorous," she said.

Donovan dipped his head, his gaze cutting into her. "And you are incredible. I can't say with all certainty, but I'm guessing Ashley doesn't know how to neutralize a man with only a hammer."

This pulled a breath of a laugh from her, but nothing more.

"I don't want to go," she said.

"Okay, we won't go."

"Just like that?"

"Who do you think I care about? My wife or some woman I used to know."

There was so much conviction in his voice that Carter could feel the claws of jealousy and insecurity retreating.

"I don't have her number but I'll call the restaurant and tell them to let her know we couldn't make it."

At that Carter felt the full force of how reactive she was being. She placed her hands on Donovan's chest and smiled at him.

"Don't," she said. "It's fine. We'll clean up then I'll take the first shower and get ready. We don't want to be late."

He eyed her, but when she didn't retract what she said, he nodded. They cleared away the evidence of their normal Saturday project and Carter took the first shower. By the time that Donovan was returning from his, she was standing in front of the mirror, fiddling with her hair. Behind her, Donovan paused.

"The last time you wore that dress was during our engagement party," he said.

Carter met his eyes in the reflection.