Open Case File [COMPLETED]

Something Unexpected

"This is what I needed," Ashley said, leaning her head back and breathing in the heat.

The other two girls murmured their assent. Carter was already sweaty and didn't understand how this was supposed to be comfortable. After a minute where they all adjusted to the room, Ashley lifted her head and gazed around the group.

"Alright," she said. "Let's get to the real talk."

Carter had no idea what that meant. She thought all of it had been real talk. On the way there Ashley and Ali had covered topics ranging from the stock market to change in fashion trends to customer complaints.

"I want to know how you've managed to handle your Keller brother," she said. "Brock and I got engaged relatively quick and so I know that there are still things I need to learn, that's why I want to ask the experts."

Eva gave a soft laugh. "Well, after three years I would say that I've come to know Clint's ins and outs. But I also know that as far as Keller brothers go, he's more in touch with his emotions and so doesn't struggle with voicing them as I know the others might."

Ali let out a groan of annoyance. "Getting James to tell me what he's feeling is like building a computer form scratch except you don't have all the parts." She shook her head. "Honestly, he would more easily go jump off a building if I asked him than tell me what he's feeling."

Carter laughed, knowing that was true for James. "That sounds like him."

Ashley nudged Carter's arm. "What about Donovan? Is he all closed up like a clam?"

Crossing her arms, Carter sank back against the wall. "Sometimes. But honestly, we've been married so long that I know what he's feeling without him telling me. I can sense where his thoughts are. I understand what certain silences mean. So asking him what he's feeling isn't a challenge when I can read what he's feeling."

"I envy you," Ali said, huffing.

"I don't know Clint as well as that," Eva said. "But I wish I did."

"Same," Ashley said. "Sometimes I know what Brock is thinking and other times I'm lost at sea."

Carter felt her shoulder relax.

"Okay," Ashley said, pulling her long blonde hair over her shoulder and braiding it, a thing Carter could do but with messy results. "What is the most romantic thing your Keller brother has done for you?"

At this Ali grinned and rested her chin in her hand. "I will say, James, isn't afraid of being romantic, so that definitely makes up for his other failings. For our first anniversary, he covered my apartment floor with rose petals and cooked dinner for you. Surprisingly, he's an amazing cook."

All the girls made appreciative noises and Carter smiled, remembering how Donovan had been roped into helping James cook for the occasion while Carter had spread the rose petals.

"Clint surprised me by flying out to a conference I was part of in Florida and taking me out to dinner on a yacht," Eva said.

"That is romantic," Ashley said. "When I was back in San Diego, Brock took me on a picnic on the beach. We spent the whole night there staring up at the stars."

When all eyes turned to Carter, she froze. When it came to romance Donovan hadn't ever done the grand gestures like picnic's on the beach, dinner on a yacht, or rose petals everywhere. It wasn't his style and Carter wasn't sure she would enjoy it, which was probably why he never tried it. Their romance was simple.

"Come on, Carter," Ali said. "What is the most romantic thing Donovan has ever done for you?"

Though it was nothing like the events the other girls mentioned there was a moment that stuck out from everything.