Fearing The Worst

Mackenzie Moss lounges on the couch, thumbing through her phone like she’s waiting for something to crack open the night. The front door swings and Carter Cruise walks in, relief painted across her face. ‘Hey, babe,’ Mackenzie says, springing up to meet her, pressing a kiss that Carter takes without hesitation. Mackenzie asks how class went. Carter shrugs, says it was a marathon and it isn’t over—she has to head back out to help a classmate with a project. Mackenzie’s smile dims. She rubs slow circles on Carter’s arms and keeps her voice light. ‘With who?’ she asks. ‘Janet,’ Carter answers. Mackenzie nods, trying to place the name. ‘Haven’t seen her in ages. I was hoping we’d finally have a night in—feel like you’ve been a ghost lately.’ Carter looks cornered, murmurs an apology, promises more time soon. Mackenzie bites her lip, admits it feels like she’s being shoved aside. Carter swears she isn’t and that lighter days are coming, then slips out the door. Mackenzie dials Janet, face tightening as Janet says she’s got no clue about any project. Mackenzie stammers that she must’ve misheard and hangs up, worst thoughts burning behind her eyes. Later she catches Carter in a red-and-blue pizza uniform. Turns out Carter took the gig to stack cash for an engagement ring. She wants forever, starting with Mackenzie. Mackenzie’s eyes go wide; she grabs both of Carter’s hands and blurts that she’d marry her tomorrow if she asked. Doesn’t need diamonds—just a quarter-machine plastic ring would do. Carter grins, jokes she thinks she’s got a quarter in her pocket right now, and they laugh into another kiss. Carter backs Mackenzie onto the bed, peels her shirt up, and takes one rosy nipple between her lips. Mackenzie arches, moaning as Carter tongues the tight pink bud, tension cracking open into pure, hungry heat.