Love Me One More Time by Laura Burton

Chapter 5

Mom and I pack so fast; we’re like a pair of bank robbers in a vault with two minutes on the clock. I’m forced to call a cab and have him park two blocks away. Then my mom and I take our bags and sneak out the back. Good thing I already brought my bag in from the car, otherwise I’d be getting on the plane with nothing but the clothes on me.

The trip to the airport is a blur as my mind races with a montage of images so real, I can’t separate memories from fantasy.

Carter and I holding hands, walking barefoot on the beach. Then laughing and dancing the night away, with a hall full of people clapping out a beat.

Carter and I snuggled up on a sofa. He’s stroking my back and kissing my hair, then covering my body with his.

The scent of his cologne floods my memory and I take a deep breath, basking in blissful thoughts of golden sunrises and magenta evening skies.

I know from my coaching job that the brain serves whatever you think about, regardless of whether it’s healthy, logical… Or even possible.

So, of course, my mind throws me forcefully into this forbidden mental place with Carter… This place where I wake up on brisk mornings, throw open the French doors of my balcony and see Carter running around with our dog, the gentle waves lapping at his ankles.

He joins me in the kitchen, and we make breakfast together; French toast with extra cinnamon. The way he likes it.

We talk about the day ahead with hope and positivity. We share affirmations with each other, and then just before he leaves for work, he wraps me up in his arms, his eyes dancing, and I rise on tiptoes to give him the sweetest kiss on Earth.

It’s chaste and gentle, but filled with so much love that it fills our world with a little more light.

Then we break apart, and Carter whispers the four little words he’s said to me so many other times in the past.

I love you, ZoBo.

The cab comes to a sudden halt, jolting me out of my head. I blink several times, shocked at how vivid and real those visions were.

“Are you all right?”

I turn to my mom. She’s eyeing me like I just confessed I was Elvis Presley.

“I’m fine-d.” The word comes out weird, like my nose is blocked.

I sniff, wipe tears from my eyes, and try again. “Fine-ed.” Ugh.

My mom pulls me in for one of her warm hugs. “It’s all going to be okay. The media will soon grow bored. You’ll recover from this. I promise this isn’t the end of your career.”

She thinks I’m emotional over the social media storm. But at this moment, I couldn’t care less about if I never land work again. I have enough money in investments and property to live on for the rest of my life. And I honestly don’t think I care what people think of me anymore.

But I can’t tell my mom the truth about my feelings right now.

Carter and I are through. He made it perfectly clear that this weekend was a simple business transaction. And the sooner I accept that, the better.

“Thanks, Mom,” I whisper.

The cab door opens and Carter’s fresh face appears. He leans in, and before I can recover from the shock, offers me a hand. “Good evening.”

Our hands touch, and the contact takes my breath away. I’m surprised he didn’t jump back in shock.

Can’t you feel it too?

I search his face for the tiniest sign of anything, but there’s nothing there. He pulls me up and out of the cab, then leans into the cab again to help my mom. I’m suddenly wondering if it’s too late to back out.

Can I really just pretend I’m his fiancée, when I still feel so deeply for him? It’s like I’m swimming in an ocean of my own tears. The layers of deceit are so deep, I’m sure to lose myself in the mix of reality and fantasy.

My phone pings. It’s apparently been going off the entire ride. A message from Jay pops up on my screen. I read the text and gulp. His words are so perfect, I can’t help but wonder if I somehow sent my thoughts to him.

On second thought, I think you’re right to get away. Keep your head low and let me deal with the media. This is my job after all. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. We’ll regroup when you get back. Jay.

So,Jay thinks it’s a good idea to stay out of the public eye. Well, my only other option is to spend the weekend alone in my lake house, probably watching the news on repeat.

At this point, I’m not sure which option seems more depressing.

“I’m surprised by your choice of transit.” Carter’s voice drags me out of my thoughts. “Huh?”

He nods to the taxi cab driving off in the distance. “And no security… Aren’t you worried about your safety?”

I frown at Carter as I follow him to the chartered plane waiting for us.

“What did you expect? A fancy limousine and team of bodyguards? That draws far too much attention.” I shrug.

Right now, I’m far less concerned about my physical wellbeing. My emotions are riding shotgun.

What’s the job title for protecting someone’s heart? Because I need one of those.

My mom clears her throat and I smirk at her.

Oh, that’s right. That’s her job.

“Zoe is rich and successful now, but she’s never stopped being down-to-earth. She remembers where she came from.”

I half-expect my mom to launch into a verse and some dance moves; from Jenny from the Bronx. But she keeps her cool.

Carter’s smile stiffens as we climb the steps up into the plane. “I wouldn’t expect any different.”

Carter’s family plane looks just as sterile and swish as I remember it. Everything is eggshell white; the window frames and tables gleam under the aircraft’s artificial lights. Carter takes a seat by a window and stretches his legs out like a cat getting ready for a nap. I’ve lost count of how many times we got on this plane together all those years ago. Carter would take me to Sanctum, his family’s island, for spring break, summer vacation, and even New Year’s Eve a few times.

When I was younger, I’d look around in awe at the cream leather seats and cashmere carpeted floors.

There’s an array of snacks on the shelves, and if I remember correctly, a big-screen TV hidden away behind one of the cabinet doors.

But everything looks smaller now, somehow. And that doesn’t make any sense. Sure, my bank balance has swollen considerably since Carter and I were together. But I’m pretty sure I haven’t grown any taller over the last decade.

To my dismay, my mom is making noises of wonderment and touching everything. She caresses the leather before she takes her seat, then fiddles with the silver salt and pepper shakers on the table. This isn’t her first time in a private plane. I chartered one for her birthday. I’d just landed a huge coaching gig with several high profile clients and I wanted to spoil my mom with a trip to Vegas.

We didn’t even gamble.

We just camped out in the all-you-can-eat buffet, went to all the shows, scored VIP badges, and met with the performers backstage.

My mom was especially excited to meet Donny Osmond––who I kept reminding her was several years older. “I love a silver fox!” she replied, her grin turning devilish.

“So, how have you been?”

I look away from my mom to see Carter is leaning forward and staring hard at me.

My stomach starts doing standing backflips.

“Fine,” I reply. Without a “d” on the end this time, thank goodness. But the pitch is a bit too high to sound convincing. “How have you been?”

Carter opens his mouth, I guess to reply, but then his brows go up and his gaze moves to my side. I turn my head sharply, and my mom is standing right behind me, with her arms crossed. She’s looking at Carter with so much fury, I’m sure steam is about to start pouring out of her ears any minute.

“Oh no, you don’t!” she says.

It’s a good thing looks can’t kill, otherwise Carter would be nothing but a smoking pile of ashes right now.

I wince as I remember all of the bad things I’ve said about Carter over the years. “I’m sorry, what?” Carter asks. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Yes. Yes. You’ve done a lot of things. And honestly, I don’t know how you have the nerve––”

“Mom!” Maybe bringing her along was a bad idea.

“No, your mom is right, ZoBo.” Carter isn’t even shrinking under my mom’s glare. “I feel terrible about this whole situation.”

His words diffuse the ticking bomb inside of my mom and her expression softens. She clearly didn’t expect Carter to be so agreeable.

He shoots me a look and I still can’t read him. What is he feeling? Anger? Fear? Regret? Indigestion?

All of the above?

He clears his throat and laces his fingers together. “When my grandma started to get… confused, it was a tricky situation. But we could manage just fine, until she wanted everyone at her birthday party… Everyone, including Zoe.”

I shut my eyes. He thinks my mom is unhappy about the ruse. And I’m sure she is, at least a little. But the real reason she hates Carter is because he broke her baby girl’s heart. And that, to a mom, is an unforgivable sin!

Sooner or later, I’m going to have to own up to the truth about how we really broke up. But if I can get away with not opening that can of worms for a little longer, I’ll keep my mouth shut for as long as possible.

“I know it’s a lot to ask… Bringing you both out to visit with my family, pretending that we’re…” Carter stops and scratches his neck, looking at the floor. For the first time, I can read his face, and there’s sadness in it.

It’s horrible, but my heart does a little happy dance at the sight.

He continues. “But I’m hoping that I can make this experience as positive as possible. I’ve already booked you both a massage as soon as we get to the resort.

“Resort?” My mom repeats. I lean in to mutter in her ear.

“Carter’s family owns a resort… Didn’t I tell you that?”

The corner of my mom’s mouth twitches. Resorts mean hot stone massages, room service at 3am, four different types of saunas, all-you-can-eat buffets...

My mom hasn’t enjoyed that kind of luxury since Vegas.

She seems to follow my line of thought, because her face is breaking into a smile, but then she turns serious again and raises a finger.

“First, we need to establish some ground rules.”

Carter and I exchange looks. I guess my mom missed the memo that I just turned thirty, not thirteen.

But I resist rolling my eyes… Because then I would be acting like a teenager. I listen instead, with mild amusement, to her list of boundaries.

“Rule number one: no kissing. If people want to see a kiss, it’s a peck only.”

Carter’s cheeks dimple. I can only imagine where this is going. “Rule number two: do not feed my daughter. Not even a grilled cheese sandwich, you hear me?”

Carter’s lips form one tight line and his eyes bulge as he tries to hold in a laugh. He stays composed somehow, and nods. I smirk.

“Yes, because we all know nothing screams seduction like being hand fed a greasy, grilled cheese sandwich,” I say, not bothering to cover up the sarcasm in my tone. Carter snorts, but recovers himself as my mom shoots us both a stern glare.

“Rule number three: No bathing, swimming, or laying on the ground together.”

“We can’t swim?” I ask, cocking a brow. These rules are ridiculous. There’s no way I’m keeping any of them.

“Swimming is dangerous… things get confusing very quickly. You’ve seen the movies.”

“What movies are you thinking about? Jaws?” I quip back.

“Which brings me to rule number four,” my mom continues, undeterred. “No funny business.”

Carter snaps his fingers. “There goes my stand-up comedy plans for the family talent show.”

Now it’s my turn to laugh.

“I’m serious,” my mom says. She plants her hands on her hips and elbows me in the process. “I don’t want you two getting mixed up in this make believe nonsense. You’ll end up doing something you’ll both regret.”

I frown. Now I definitely regret bringing my mom along. I glance at Carter, and he looks back at me with a shrug. I can tell he’s thinking, Why’d you have to bring Jiminy Cricket?

He rests a hand on his heart. “I’ll be on my best behavior, I promise.”

My mom hums in disapproval.

“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”