14

I slowly felt myself waking up, I furrow my eyebrows in confusion wondering where I am. I blink adjusting to the light as I feel a body pressed against mine. Then I remember I'm at Karter's in New York. I smile as I turn around to see Karter snoring, he looked so cute when he's sleeping.

I slowly untangle my body from his not wanting to wake him up and grab the shirt he was wearing last night putting it on, due to our height difference it fit me like a dress. I decided to make breakfast for Karter before he wakes up. I check the time, it was 11:15 wow we slept in late and Karter's still asleep.

I was flipping some pancakes when I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist instantly making me beam, "hi birthday boy" I say without turning around.

"Why do you smell so amazing all the time" Karter snuggles his head in the crook of my neck placing a soft kiss making me giggle.

I put the pancake on the stack of the rest and turn the stove off. I turn around to face Karter, "Hope you like pancakes" wrapping my arms around his neck.

"You can give me poison and I'll still eat it happily," Karter flashes me a dimpled smile and I roll my eyes jokingly.

Karter's eyes travel up and down my body, "why do you always look better in my clothes than I do?" he bites his lower lip.

I shrug, "I don't know, I'm just hot I guess" I smirk at him.

Karter groans, "yeah you are" He starts leaning in for a kiss until we hear the elevator door open.

"Dad. We're here" I hear a boy's voice immediately making Karter move away from me.

We turn around to see Bruce and a blonde-haired green-eyed woman who I'm assuming is Emma walking towards us. I freeze oh gosh. This is not how I'd planned to meet them for the first time. I gulp anxiously.

"Hey buddy" Karter smiles walking towards them, giving his son a big hug than moving to Emma who was smiling at me giving her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Bruce's eyes go wide once he sees me, "Is that Maria Reed?" he exclaims, excitement prevalent in his tone.

Karter laughs as I step out of the kitchen towards him, "Yeah buddy remember I told you she was my friend" I smile looking at Bruce.

"Hi" I wave at him.

"Oh my gosh hi" Bruce smiles hugging my waist, "You're so pretty" he blushes lightly making me smile. I bend down and give him a proper hug.

"Looks like someone is trying to steal your girl" I hear Emma say to Karter.

"Your dad has told me so much about you, you're so cool!" I smile at Bruce pulling away.

"Mom and I were just listening to your song in the car!" Bruce says looking at me with dilated pupils.

"No way!" I say with a broad grin on my face.

"Bruce honey why don't you give your dad his birthday present?" Emma intertwines.

"Yes dad come here," Bruce says grabbing Karter's wrist and pulling him towards the living room.

I move towards Emma and smile, "Hi, it's so lovely meeting you" I extend a hand but she pulls me into a hug.

"I am internally fangirling right now ah," She says and I chuckle.

"I'm sorry I did not plan on dressing like this the first time I met Bruce," I say pointing to my attire, crossing my ankles in embarrassment.

Emma shakes her head and smiles, "Oh do not worry about it all"

"I still can't believe Maria Reed is dating my best friend" Emma squeals.

I smile, "He's great honestly I'm the lucky one"

"Well it was so great meeting you but I actually have a lunch date, so I'll catch you later" Emma smiles, hugging me yet again.

"Of course, good luck with the date," I say pulling away from the hug.

"Thanks, I'm really nervous." Emma grits her teeth nervously.

"You look stunning, go charm their pants off," I hype her up causing a wide smile to appear on Emma's lips.

"Will let you know how it goes," She says walking off and I nod.

She says something to Karter and gives Bruce a kiss on the forehead before stepping into the elevator.

....

"Do you like Los Angeles more or New York?" Bruce looks up at me.

I furrow my eyebrows in concentration really giving his question a thought, "Hmm I think I love them both?" I shrug, "I guess I haven't spent enough time in New York to pick."

Bruce nods, "All my favorite Youtubers live In Los Angeles, it looks so cool" he smiles ear to ear.

"It is, if you ever come you need to let me know and I'll take you to all the cool places" I say and a huge grin appears on Bruce's lips making me smile.

"Promise?" He asks hopefully.

I lift up my pinky, "Pinky promise" and Bruce interwines it with mine.

"Dad can we go to LA please?" He looks over to Karter who was watching us earnestly.

I smile at Karter, "Sure maybe during summer break kiddo" he says taking a sip of his coffee.

"What do you want for lunch Bruce?" Karter asks.

"hmm what do you want for lunch it's your birthday dad" Karter and I chuckle at his comment.

"I eat everything, what do you feel like eating today?" Karter shakes his shoulders.

"Whatever Maria wants to eat, I'll eat" Bruce says wiggling his eyebrows.

Karter laughs patting him on his head, "easy there kid"

"I mean who doesn't love pizza?" I shrug smiling at Bruce.

"Pizza it is then" Bruce announces making Karter and I laugh.

"Okay I'll place an order" Karter says getting up from the couch, "Peperoni good with you?" He asks me and I nod.

"Are you my dad's girlfriend?" Bruce abruptly asks once Karter is out of the room.

"Umm maybe you should I ask your dad that?" I beckon.

"If you guys kiss then that means your his girlfriend" Bruce's tone serious.

I giggle, "Well I kiss people in my music videos and in movies they aren't my boyfriends"

"Yes but if you kiss your friend, you are dating" Bruce says in a matter of fact tone.

Karter walks back into the room and notices my look of amusement, "What?" he mouths.

"Okay I'll ask dad then" Bruce says turning to Karter.

"Are you Maria's boyfriend?" Bruce asks Karter.

Karter looks over at me, "Yes I am" He says with pride.

Bruce crosses his arms, "Then why did you say you were friends before?"

I was holding in a laugh, "Sorry I just I don't know" Karter throws his hands up in defeat.

"Dad, I'm 8 now you can tell me these things" Bruce scoffs.

Karter chuckles, "Good to know, I will keep that in mind buddy."

....

Bruce hugs me tightly, "I had so much fun with you today" He says. I smile looking over to Karter and Emma both smiling at me.

I bend down to his height, "I had so much fun with you, when you're in LA you call me okay?"

"Yes promise" Bruce extends his hand and I shake it.

"Happy birthday dad" He hugs Karter and then is off with Emma who waves at us as the elevator descends.

Karter wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me towards him, "You were so good with him"

I shrug, "I tried"

Karter kisses my cheek, "You really are unreal you know that?"

I chuckle, "What do you mean?"

"Everything about you is just perfect" I blush at his comment.

"That's because I haven't shown you the dark crazy parts yet" I say tilting my head.

"Oh yeah?" Karter raises a brow as I wrap my arms around his neck.

"What are you hiding from me Maria Reed?" Karter looks into my eyes a sudden look of concern plastered on his face.

Oh so so much. I don't even know where to begin but I just don't want to lose you when you find out how dark and twisty I really am.

I smile leaning in, brushing off this sudden feeling I got and pushing my lips against him before he says or asks something else.