by Nicole Vidal
“Who are those from?”
“The team.” I shake my head and pull the huge bunch up the stairs.
“What time do we need to leave for Jake’s?”
“We can go whenever, but we need to be there by four. Why?”
She slides her arms around me and looks up at me. “What would you like to do until then?”
“Let’s go sit on the roof.”
She follows me upstairs. I settle into the corner of the couch and open my arms to her. She moves into my arms with her head against my chest. The contentment with Calliope in my arms is the last thing I recall before my alarm blares.
Chapter Twenty Seven
Connor
Groggily, I silence the alarm. Once I realize it means we have thirty minutes, the fog lifts quickly. The last thing I want to do is move. Holding Calliope is sheer bliss, and I want her always.
“Hey, beautiful. Wake up.” I crunch forward and press a kiss to her temple.
A mewl falls from her soft lips. “That feels nice.”
I smile. “Baby, we need to get moving. We fell asleep.”
Her eyes flutter open. I want to stare into them for the rest of my life. “I need to change my shirt and grab a sweater or hoodie.” She cranes her neck and presses her lips to mine.
Fifteen minutes later, we’re headed to Jake’s. “Even though you met everyone briefly earlier, except Jill and Cam, let me know if you get overwhelmed.”
“What does your family know about me?” Her voice is low and laced with concern.
“My family doesn’t know anything other than you’re with me. You can share as much or as little as you want. You can trust the team and Norah to keep your story private until you share it yourself.” She doesn’t realize it yet, but she’s about to gain a host of family—my family, every last facet of it.
She nods. I pull up to the house and park in front of the barn. I open her door and offer her my hand. She links our fingers and exhales. I take a step toward the house, but she doesn’t move.
“Can you remind me again?” She’s nervous.
“Always. My parents are Ed, a history teacher, and Joyce, a social worker. Connie and Ben are Jake’s parents. Jill and Cam are Jake’s siblings, but we’ve been friends our entire lives. They’re my siblings too, even if not by blood. They will love you.” Like I do.
This time when I take a step, she moves with me. When we step inside, Norah and Maia rush over to us.
“Hey, girl!” Maia hugs Calliope.
She hugs Norah and then greets her. “Hi, ladies.”
Both hug me as well. Calliope hasn’t let go of my hand though. I’m running through all the reasons she would be nervous. She meets new people every show. There is only one reason she would be concerned. This is her, not Carys.
“Could you give us a minute, Norah?”
“Sure.”
I lead Calliope into the guest suite to the right. I cup her face, drawing her gaze up to mine. “I’m sorry.”
Her expression is blank. “I’m confused. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I realized the real reason you’re terrified. I’m asking you to trust all these people at once with Calliope, not Carys.”
Her mouth curls up into a small smile. “I’ll do anything for you, including facing your seemingly large, loving family as Calliope. Yes, it’s going to be hard sharing me, but I want to be yours.”
“I would love nothing more than to be yours too.” I dip forward and kiss her softly I pull away. Otherwise we’ll be in here too long. I open the door and follow her out. My hand links with hers as we greet all the guests together.
Jill and Cam are the closest. She extends her hand to Calliope. “Hi. I’m Jill. This is my brother, Cameron.”
“Pleasure to meet you both. Thank you for the amazing meal, Jill. The dessert was delicious too. You’re talented.”
Jill smiles. “Thank you.”
“I believe you deserve a thank-you as well, Cameron, for helping set up.”
Cam nods and excuses himself.
“Don’t mind him. He’s the broody, silent type and doesn’t accept praise well,” Jill offers.
“I understand.”
“So how did you meet?” Jill asks.
“Jake assigned Connor as my personal security for my tour.”
“Oh, what do you do?”
She takes a deep breath before replying, “I’m a singer.”
“Cool. It was great meeting you and chatting, but I need to help in the kitchen.” Leave it to Jill to put Calliope at ease even if for a short time. My family are good people. They know we handle security for some of the most rich and famous celebrities in the world. Yet here it doesn’t matter that Calliope is Carys.
I lower my mouth near her ear. “Breathe, sweetheart. You have officially met everyone here except Nolan.”
Goose bumps rise on her skin from my proximity. Before she can respond, Connie joins us.
“Happy birthday, Connor,” Connie says after hugging me. “Hi, Callie.”
“Hi.” Her hand tightens in mine again.
“How did you two meet?”
“Blackthorne is handling security for my tour,” Calliope replies.
“What are the odds of two of my boys meeting accomplished, beautiful women through work? Now I can focus on Cam.”
I smirk at her. Connie always says what she means. It’s endearing. It also means she likes Calliope. Even more, she sees Calliope makes me happy. Connie is absolutely right.
“Thank you.”
“Of course, dear. Now, don’t you worry about Joyce. The only thing that matters to her is Connor’s happiness. Honestly, I haven’t seen that smile in quite some time.”
I squeeze her hand.
Connie continues, “I should get back into the kitchen. I look forward to seeing more of you both.” She leaves and is quickly replaced by Jake and Nolan. I release her hand and set my arm around the small of her back, drawing her closer to me.
“Callie, please meet Nolan.”
Nolan extends his hand to her. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“You as well.”
“Everything good over here?” Jake asks.
“Yes. Do you have information?” I wonder aloud.
“Nothing pressing.”
“Okay, you can share later or tomorrow. You should be aware though, Callie decided she wants to go to New York, even if she doesn’t perform.”
“We should meet then. How about eleven at the office tomorrow? Callie can hang out with Norah at the shop, and then we can have lunch.”
“That works for me. Calliope?”
“Yup, sure tomorrow.”
I lift my gaze past Jake and find all the women looking in our direction with smiles on their faces. They aren’t even trying to hide their brazen stares at her. “Jake, stand still for a minute.” I take a step back and turn Calliope to face me in front of Jake. I need to look in her eyes to make sure she’s okay. She seems content with how things are going so far. She shared and talked with three people already, and she’s not shaking anymore.
Calliope sets her hand against my chest. “Come closer.”
I lean down so only I can hear her.
“I’m good. I promise.” She presses a kiss near the corner of my mouth.
I nod as she moves back beside me with her hand intertwined with mine. Norah and Christoph approach next. She hands me a water and drags Calliope into the kitchen.
Jake and Christoph laugh as Calliope’s fingers skim away from mine. She may be across the room, but I already miss her beside me.
“How’s it going with Callie?” Christoph asks.
Fantastic. “You both know me well. I have things a certain way. I don’t like them disturbed.”
“Yup, completely. So do I,” Christoph answers.
“Me too,” Jake offers.
I raise an eyebrow at him. Jake is borderline obsessive about his order. “She has completely flipped my world on its axis. I don’t ha
ve the urge to fix it, and I can’t imagine it going back to before.”
“Damn! Is she yours?” Jake asks.
Yes, mine. I love the sound of that. “If she’ll have me.” I don’t plan on sharing more yet, although we have already loosely talked about our future.
Norah and Connie summon Jake to the kitchen.
“Duty calls.”
“Good for you, man,” Christoph tells me.
“Thanks. What about you?” We may have served together, but like me, Christoph prefers solitude and keeps his personal life private.
“I have someone in mind. I need her to see me as more than the guy who’ll drop everything to fix something or change a flat tire.”
Interesting. “Someone I know?
Jill takes this exact moment to usher us to the table. It isn’t until we take our seats that I realize Christoph didn’t answer me.
Calliope sits right next to me. I set my hand on her thigh, which is flush against mine under the table. She crosses her left hand over her lap, setting it on top of mine. It’s perfectly steady.
My mom stands with her glass in hand. “I would like to say a few words. Thank you to each of you for joining us today. After we lost Mara, the last thing I wanted to do on this day was celebrate. It took a little more time than I would like to admit to realize that today is still about my son. Happy birthday, Connor. To the newcomers at our table, welcome and I hope to see you for many more family dinners in the future.”
They raise their glasses and toast me. While I take a sip of my drink, I scan the entire table, which somehow accommodates all of us. The only newcomer is Calliope. My mom never misses a thing.
We dig into our meal, and everyone chats amongst themselves. After eating a delicious dinner that included roasted chicken, glazed carrots, mashed sweet potatoes, and brussels sprouts, the men wash the dishes. It’s how it works around here. The ladies cook dinner. The men clean up. I can only imagine what the ladies are asking Calliope, considering the men are ribbing me something fierce.
Chapter Twenty Eight
Calliope
I can do this, for me. I will do this, for him. For us. Pushing aside all my fears and worries, I follow Norah through the French doors toward the ladies outside. Apparently, men washing dishes is a thing here. I have to admit, it’s refreshing, and I truly love it.
“Don’t worry. It’ll be fine,” Norah assures me.
“Thanks, Norah. I’m less nervous than I was initially. While I meet new people each week, it isn’t as me.”
“Connie and Joyce are amazing. As you know, my mom passed away before I even met Jacob.” Norah grazes the triple heart necklace on her neck. “Both were welcoming when I met them at a dinner much like this one. It wasn’t for an occasion but a regular family dinner, which they host at least once a month.”
“That sounds wonderful.” When my parents were alive, we had dinner each weekend. Regaining that tradition would be an immeasurable addition to my life.
“It is,” Norah replies.
I walk beside her and join the rest of the ladies on the stone patio near the edge of the lawn. Tank and Sabre are running circles around the fenced area chasing a ball.
“Tell us more about you, Callie. Where are you from, your family, and what type of music do you sing?” Joyce asks.
Norah sets her hand on my forearm.
“Thanks, Norah. I can do this.”
Norah nods.
I steel my nerves. I can do this for me and for him. “I have only shared my story three times before now. Connor was the second person I shared with in the last twenty years. I was born in New York. It’s just me. I don’t have a family. My parents worked together at Cantor Fitzgerald in the North Tower.” I pause to keep my composure, and Joyce takes my hands in hers. Connor’s assessment of his mother’s compassion and dedication is wholly accurate. She wouldn’t have given up on me. “I grew up in the foster system. Once I aged out, I signed a recording contract. My stage name is Carys, and I sing pop music. However, I want to change the genre of my music soon if I can figure out how to make it happen.”
Surprisingly, sharing this time was a tiny bit easier than even with Norah and Maia. Jill and Connie are speechless. Perhaps I need to own my story, every part of it.
It’s Joyce who speaks first. “Can I hug you?”
I nod ever so slightly, and she tightly wraps her arms around me. In a soft, soothing voice, Joyce whispers so only I can hear her, “You gained our family when you captured my son’s heart. He may not have said the words yet, but I see it. He has been waiting for you for a long time. Thank you for making him smile again.”
I nod against her shoulder and add some space. “Thank you for raising the best man I’ve ever known.”
Joyce nods and pulls away but keeps a grip on one of my hands. “Tell us more about your tour.”
I share the details of my tour and the remaining stops. After that I will take a break, and then I have to work out the rest of the details. I plan to set up a meeting with Madeleine to discuss making changes to my genre and how best to handle it. I hear the French doors open and manly voices approaching the group of women.
Awareness courses through me whenever he’s nearby. I feel Connor before he touches me. He slides his arms around my shoulders, pressing a kiss to my head. I grip his forearms. I notice a small smile on the parents’ faces.
“Hi, gorgeous.”
Only I can hear him. Suppressing the shiver that runs over my skin is impossible. Everyone else keeps talking as if I’ve been here before. As if Connor holding me like this is completely normal, not like it’s my first time at his birthday dinner. Connor’s family is everything I wanted in a foster family when I was searching for a safe place to heal, especially the air of understanding that Joyce possesses. I’m sure it’s from her job.
We head inside and have cake for Connor, complete with singing and making a wish. He gifts me with a huge smile before blowing out the candles. We dig into the delicious cake that Jill made from scratch and chat for a while over coffee.
One by one people start leaving. It’s a workday for everyone else. Cameron left as soon as the cake dishes were finished.
Maia and Nolan are the first to say their goodbyes to Connor.
“Will you be training on Friday?” Maia asks.
“Not sure yet.” I hug her, and they follow the path around the side of the house. I don’t miss Nolan’s hand on the small of her back. I’m sure Jake and Connor don’t either.
Jill says her goodbyes quickly and hurries around the house. Christoph does the same. I thought he lived in the bunkhouse with Nolan and Maia. The last to leave are the parents. All four join us at once.
“Happy birthday, Connor.” Joyce hugs him tight.
“Thanks, Mom, for everything.”
I’m confident he means both parts, the toast and for welcoming me personally at dinner.
“You’re welcome. Will you be around for dinner on Sunday too, or will you already be in Boston?” Joyce asks.
Connor looks over at me. I squeeze his hand. I would love to stay for dinner on Sunday too.
“Let me verify with her team, and I’ll let you know.”
“Sounds good.” Joyce hugs me, followed by Connie. The parents leave, and we’re alone in the living room.
Connor closes the space between us. “How are you doing?”
“Your family is amazing.”
“They overwhelmingly said the same thing about you.”
I wrinkle my brow and rise on my toes to kiss his. “Ready to go watch your movie?”
“I have been looking forward to it all day.” We bid farewell to Norah and Jake and walk out to his truck.
“Do you have my phone with you?”
“Yes, why?”
“I want to email Madeleine to set up a meeting. Are we free before meeting with Jake at eleven? What about Friday afternoon?”
A devious twinkle appears in his eyes. “Yes, to tomorrow. I should review the fil
es Jake gave me for new team members before our meeting as well. I would prefer to keep Friday afternoon free if possible.”
“Okay.” I wonder what he’s planning. It doesn’t matter. Our date was fabulous. I take my phone and email Madeleine.
We pull into his garage and change to watch Mara’s favorite movie. We curl up on the couch, and Connor pushes a few buttons. The largest television I’ve ever seen in a home lowers from the ceiling. I’m in awe, which is saying something considering the movement of my sets during a performance.
“What are we watching?”
“Serendipity. Have you seen it before?” He leans against the corner of the couch with one leg against the back. I rest my head on his chest. One of his hands rests on the exposed skin at the dip of my waist.
I giggle. “I’m more of an action movie kind of girl.”
“I know, gorgeous. So that’s a no.”
I shake my head against him. “No, I haven’t seen it before.”
The movie starts, and I try to focus on the movie, not my emotions surrounding today and the utter perfection of his family. We need to talk about what we look like after my tour.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Us.”
He reaches over and pauses the movie. I note there is only about twenty minutes left.
“We can finish the movie first and then talk,” I assure him.
“As long as you promise to stay awake.”
I literally cross my heart. “I promise.”
He smiles. The movie finishes with Sarah and Jonathan buying gloves again but this time together on their anniversary. Despite my preference for action movies, this one was surprisingly good.
“What about us?” Connor asks.
That sounds wonderful. Us. I push on his chest to look into his eyes. “Everything. How far in advance do you know where you’re going for your assignments?”
“At least a few weeks. Yours was an exception. Why?”
“When my tour is over, I want to wake up with you as often as possible.”
He slides his arm around me and hauls me up to straddle him. “Does every day work for you?”