Open Case File [COMPLETED]

Returning To Work (Part 10)

Slowly, Donovan's anger fizzled out, leaving him hurt that there was a part of Carter's life she'd left him out of. In the private gallery, Carter easily attached a bug to the correct painting's frame. The assignment was accomplished, but Donovan didn't care. All he cared about was leaving the museum and this Tyler Hayes behind.

When Tyler led Carter back into the museum's main atrium, he paused. Donovan saw the hesitancy in his manner and knew what was coming next. Part of Donovan didn't even blame him. When Carter smiled it felt like no one else in the world existed. What man would not want to hold onto that?

"Here it comes," Mason said, reading what Donovan had.

Donovan really wished Mason had a mute setting.

"Carter," Tyler said. "Though I appreciate the woo and awes, I want to know if we can still make up for lost time. Will you have dinner with me tonight?"

Donovan watched, seeing the surprise in Carter's spine. He almost smiled. For someone as smart as her, she still found it shocking when men found her attractive. Seeing everything around her so clearly, she was often blind to herself.

"Tyler," Carter said. "I've been a complete idiot."

Tyler laughed. "I don't think you have. I found you as brilliant as before."

"Of course," Carter said, like her intellect was never in question. "I mean an idiot about where I stand relationship-wise."

"Oh." Tyler nodded and took a step back. "Seeing someone?"

"Married, actually."

"Oh, wow...um..." Tyler rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't see a ring."

"I know, it's probably on my nightstand. I take it off at night. If you want, you could have dinner with my husband and me."

Donovan would rather shoot himself than sit through a meal with this man, but he didn't bother voicing his thoughts. Mason would only make fun of him. And Donovan didn't need more reasons to want Mason dead. 

"I'm going to pass on the offer," Tyler said. "I know I would find it intimidated meeting the man who managed to win you." At least that proved Tyler had brains. Tyler dipped his head. "It has been a pleasure seeing you again, Carter. I hope you have a wonderful life."

"I hope the same for you, Tyler," she said.

With a fleeting smile, Tyler walked away. Carter stood watching him while Donovan watched her. There was something in her body language that he couldn't fully understand. Was it regret? Longing? He didn't know.

By the time, Carter returned to the van, Donovan was busying himself with a project, keeping his back to her.

"Well done," Mason said. "Who knew you had the ability to woo someone."

"We should head back to the Bureau," Donovan said, not looking at Carter. He didn't want to. He still felt the pain over seeing how easily she smiled with Tyler. "We can write up our reports."

Carter said nothing, instead she hooked her hand around Donovan's arm and spun him around. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him.

It was not a light kiss. And it was not a kiss that Mason should be witnessing but it seemed she didn't care.

"Gag," Mason said. "Some of us don't need to be seeing this."

Carter pulled back, but ignored Mason instead, she smiled up at Donovan.

It was then he saw how different her smiles were.

With Tyler, though her smile had come quick it was filled only with surprise and friendliness. It held none of the warmth or deep affection that Donovan saw in her smile now. A smile that was only meant for him.

But even as his hurt faded, he found himself asking the question.

"Why him?"

Carter didn't need more than that, she understood.

"Because he reminded me of a girl I used to be. One that devised a reckless plan to get the school's recluse to notice her. The girl I need to find again." She ran her hands through Donovan's hair. "And he reminded me of why I fell in love with you."

Though Donovan had wanted to know everything that happened between Carter and Tyler in the past, he found he no longed cared. In the end, he still got the girl.

"I guess this means I can't kill him then," Donovan said. 

Carter laughed and Donovan savored the sound, his Carter had come back to him.

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*hands you cake*
(That's right, what are you going to do, cause you can't have your cake and eat it too.)

Go ahead! Tell me you love and what you thought of this chapter that you wanted since I introduced Tyler! 💬💭🗯

I'm not going to lie, you almost didn't have an update today. I've been busy this with with editing and formatting A Secret Service that this was barely finished yesterday.

But! It's complete and I hope you're happy with it!! ☺️

That's all I got to say, I have work on the book I have to get to!

Oh! And if you're curious about the updates to the published version then go read Carter Getting Published. I tell you all you and don't want to know! Also that's where I'll post the cover reveal! Which should he soon!

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