Chapter 3They Said I Was Too Wild for Him. They Were Right.

The only reason I stopped being mad at Carter was that he bought an SUV.

He knew I loved driving heavy-duty trucks, but after getting together with him, I stopped going off-roading in the countryside and sold my old rig.

My anger vanished into thin air.

I made a pot of soup, walked into his office, and said excitedly:

"Baby, I made chicken soup. Let's eat together."

Carter rejected it immediately. "I can't. I have a lunch meeting."

I frowned. "Alright, then have some when you get home tonight."

"Carter, that Thai place on West Street is actually pretty good," a woman said as she suddenly pushed the door open.

She looked a little surprised to see me. "And who is this?"

"My girlfriend," Carter stood up, then turned to me. "This is Miss Dupont."

Chloe Dupont stepped forward, incredibly poised and natural, and shook my hand. "I always wondered what kind of amazing woman could tie Carter down. I finally get to meet you today."

I just smiled and stayed quiet.

Carter put his hands in his pockets. "Tara, head back first. Miss Dupont and I have business this afternoon."

But Chloe took the initiative to invite me. "Oh, don't be like that! It's nothing serious, just grabbing lunch. Let Miss Evans come with us."

"Alright then," Carter agreed.

Turns out, the "lunch meeting" was just a meal between the two of them.

The way Carter agreed made me acutely aware of the difference in his attitude. He was never that accommodating with me.

On the way to the restaurant, they walked side by side, chatting animatedly.

Every time I tried to interject.

Chloe would miraculously find a topic Carter was deeply interested in and talk right over me.

Gradually, I fell behind, putting distance between us.

At the restaurant, Carter pulled out Chloe's chair for her first, paused, and then pulled out mine.

I could see it clearly. I was only enjoying Carter's gentlemanly behavior by riding on Chloe's coattails.

The waiter handed the menu to Carter.

Carter raised a hand to stop him. "Give it to the ladies."

The waiter looked enlightened and handed it to Chloe. "My apologies. The girlfriend should order first."

As soon as those words hung in the air, everyone froze for a second.

Anyone with eyes could see that they looked like the perfect match.

And neither of them bothered to explain the misunderstanding to the waiter.

We finished the meal in suffocating silence.

As we were leaving, Chloe grabbed my hand. "Miss Evans, please don't mind what happened. You're Carter's real girlfriend."

I pulled my hand away. "I know."

Carter frowned.

Chloe playfully stuck her tongue out, turning to look at Carter. "Carter, I hope your girl doesn't put you in the doghouse tonight!"

Carter's brow relaxed. "Don't joke like that. Tara isn't that petty."

I finally got a compliment from him, so why didn't I feel happy?

Watching the picture-perfect harmony between the two of them.

I felt like a complete third wheel.