by Cathryn Fox
I head downstairs, and Kaitlyn lifts her head from her coloring book. “Miss Davis,” she says. “Can we play the piano again?”
I relax. I wasn’t sure if this was going to be awkward or not. I’m about to answer, when Callan comes into the room, my coffee refreshed. “We don’t have time today, kiddo. We all have places to be,” he says. “But, if Miss Davis can fit you in to her schedule, we can set up some lessons over the summer.”
“Really, Daddy!” she squeals and jumps up and down. “Yay!”
“One thing,” I say. “How about when we’re at home you call me Gemma.”
She shrugs. “Okay. When can we start, Gemma?”
“I’m going to be away this weekend. How about I look at my schedule and we’ll plan for when you get back from your grandparents.”
“That’s when I’m getting Gilbert. Maybe you could come and help us pick him out.”
I hesitate for a second and Callan rolls a shoulder, leaving it up to me. “We’ll see,” I say.
“Kaitlyn, go brush your teeth and finish your packing. We’re leaving shortly.” Callan’s knuckles brush mine, and he nods toward the kitchen. “Breakfast is ready.”
Delicious smells reach my nose and my stomach grumbles. My breakfast usually consists of coffee and toast, but after building up an appetite last night, I’m game for something meatier. “If it’s anything like your pizza last night, I’d say I’m in for a treat.”
I follow him to the kitchen and lower myself into a chair and he puts a box of cereal in front of me. My jaw falls, and Callan laughs.
“Chocolate Puffs, breakfast of champions.”
I shake my head at him, but I totally love how funny he is. He’s not had it easy, but he’s so easy to be around.
“I’ll stick to coffee, thanks.”
He takes the box away and sets a plate with scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast in front of me.”
My stomach grumbles louder. “Now this is what I’m talking about,” I say and pick up my fork. I dig in and moan as the flavors hit my tongue. “This is delicious.”
“I aim to please.”
I grin at him. “Consider me pleased.” He sits beside me. “Did you already eat?”
“I ate with Kaitlyn.”
I frown. “Sorry I slept in.”
“Don’t be. It’s Saturday.”
“Next time, I’ll cook for you.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I shake my head. “I don’t know why I said that.”
He opens his mouth, about to answer, but Kaitlyn comes into the room. “I can’t find my pink bathing suit.”
“I’ll help you.” He pushes to his feet, and I go back to finishing the food on my plate. They both appear back in the kitchen by the time I’m done. I rinse my dish and set it in the open dishwasher.
“All set,” I say and pick up my purse. “Wait, what did I do with my phone?”
“I think I saw it on the coffee table. You were on it last night when I came downstairs after tucking Kaitlyn in.”
“I only lose it about ten times a day.”
I find it on the coffee table, and cringe when I see all the texts from Brad.
“Everything okay?” Callan asks.
“Yup,” I say and five minutes later, we’re piling back into the car, and I note the suitcase and duffle bag Callan is putting in the trunk. Kaitlyn sure packs heavily for her grandparents’ place. In the back seat, Kaitlyn plays on her children’s iPad, and I sing along quietly to the song on the radio.
“You have a really nice voice. I never knew that.”
“Thanks. Singing lessons when I was young.”
Warm contentment settles in my stomach as I take in Callan’s profile. It’s going to be hard going to his place once a week to give Kaitlyn lessons, and keeping my hands to myself. He awakened my body in glorious ways last night, ways unlike any other man. That thought fills my stomach with dread. Dammit, I want to go to my parents, but on the other hand I’m really sick about it. Maybe I’ll get lucky and Brad will be on shift. It’s wishful thinking.
“Something on your mind?” Callan asks, when he turns to find me staring at my lap.
“No, I’m good,” I say and force a smile.
“Yeah, I hope you don’t play poker.”
“I’m that easy to read?”
He reaches across the seat, takes my hand into his and gives it a little squeeze. “It’s going to be fine, I promise.”
I nod, even though I know it’s not going to be fine or something he can promise. I’m not even sure why he’s saying that to me. I guess he’s just being kind and supportive. I go quiet, and Kaitlyn perks up when we pull into his parents’ driveway. I smile. I have fond memories of hanging at this house when we were in high school.
The front door opens and out walks Mr. and Mrs. Ward. Kaitlyn unbuckles, jumps from her seat and dashes up the steps for a hug. My heart swells.
“That’s sweet,” I say.
“Yeah, it is. Kaitlyn is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
I angle my head and take in the love shining in his eyes as he gazes at his daughter. “Do you think you’d ever have more?”
The words are barely out of my mouth before he’s giving me a fast, “No.”
“Okay,” I say, the look on his face tearing at my heart. He loved and lost and he’s so goddamn frightened to lose again, he won’t even try. A guy like him deserves a good woman in his life, in his daughter’s life. “I’m sorry, that was none of my business.”
“I don’t mind you asking. You can ask me whatever you want. It’s just that more kids aren’t in the cards for me. What about you, Gemma? Do you want kids? Is it okay if I ask that?”
“You can, and yes, I’ve always wanted a big family. I’m just not interested in a relationship right now. I need time for myself, time to just heal emotionally, and I have a hard time trusting. It’s going to be a long time before I open myself up to anyone again. I might not ever, but I guess it’s the twenty-first century and I don’t really need a man in my life to have a child, right?”
“You’re right, you don’t.” His fingers lightly graze my arm. “But you opened yourself up to me,” he says, as he rakes his teeth over his bottom lip, his gaze going to my mouth.
A hard quiver goes through me. “Yeah, but that’s different.” I glance up to see Mrs. Ward still on the deck, waiting for us, while Kaitlyn drags her grandfather inside.
“I know. But I’m glad we went for it.” He squeezes my hand again. “Come on. Let’s go say hello.”
I open my door and step from the car. Callan grabs the suitcase from the trunk, and we walk to the steps together. At first Callan’s mother seems shocked that there is a woman with their son, but after she realizes who I am, she pulls me in for a hug.
“It’s so good to see you, Gemma,” Blue eyes the color of her son’s glisten with happiness. “It’s been too long.”
“It’s good to see you too, Mrs. Ward.”
She gives a little wave. “Oh, call us Colleen and Roger,” she says.
I smile and she waves her hand toward the door. “Can you guys come in for a coffee, get caught up?”
“I actually can’t,” I say, and crinkle up my nose because I’d love to spend more time here. “I’m on my way to the Cape for a family reunion.”
“How lovely, another time then.”
“That’d be great.”
Callan gives his mother a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll check in with you guys tonight. If you have any trouble, just call.”
“Don’t worry about us, we’re fine. You two go on and have some fun.”
I open my mouth about to tell her it’s just me going to the Cape, but Kaitlyn comes running back onto the deck to drag her grandmother inside.
We head back to the car, and I take in Callan’s profile again as he backs from the driveway. “What street are you on?” he asks.
“Major, just two streets over from the school.”
I hum along to the song as he negotiat
es the busy Saturday afternoon traffic, and when he pulls up in front of my townhouse, I reach for the handle. “Thanks so much, Callan.” I hesitate for a second. “When I get back from the weekend, we can discuss Kaitlyn’s lessons.”
He nods. “Or we can discuss them on the weekend.”
“What?”
He taps the steering wheel. “We can discuss them over the weekend because I’m coming to the family gathering with you.”
My head rears back and I bump it on the window. “Ow,” I rub my head, sure I’ve heard him wrong. Yeah, I might have thought about it, but I wouldn’t go so far as to ask him. That’s crossing the friendship line. Then again, we kind of did that already last night in bed.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yeah, just a bump, and I think I heard you wrong. You said you were coming with me?”
He scrubs his face, and he nods. “Yup, I am.”
“You can’t just…come.”
“Why not. I’m on my days off, and I already packed a bag. Hurry on in and get your stuff so we can get going. We don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”
“Callan, I need to change my clothes, get packed—”
He turns to me and takes my hand. “If you’re going to be long, I’ll come in and help. But if you think I’m going to let you do this weekend alone, when your douche-bag ex is going to be there, to intimidate you, or whatever else he might have planned to win you back, then you don’t know me at all.”
My heart turns over in my chest, as tears pound behind my eyes. I honestly can’t believe he’s suggesting this. I wouldn’t in a million years ask, even though having him by my side would certainly send a message, and…I also really like hanging out with him.
I glance down and twist my shirt in my hands. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking. Now go get your stuff.”
I take a deep breath. Am I really going to let him get involved in my troubles? Although, judging by the stubborn set of his jaw, I’m not sure I have a choice.
I open my mouth and close it again, and a moan crawls out of his throat. “Are we about to have our first argument as a couple?”
I grin at that, a warm but weird sensation taking up residence in my stomach as I consider that. “No, we’re not. I’ll get my stuff.” I reach for the door and turn back to him. “Thanks, Callan.”
“You bet.”
7
Callan
The closer we get to her parents’ house, the more agitated Gemma becomes. I reach across the seat and take her hand. “You okay?”
She nods. “I’m actually looking forward to seeing my folks and my sisters. Do you remember Amanda and Nicole?”
“I remember Amanda the most. She was the funny one. Always carrying on and cracking jokes.”
“Funny one? The annoying one, you mean.” She rolls her eyes. “She always liked to embarrass me. Still does. She’ll probably do the same to you.”
“Oh yeah.”
She purses her lips. “Although, she never really tormented Brad.”
“Maybe it’s just a big sister thing.”
She shrugs. “I guess.”
“Did she like Brad?”
“To be honest, she never really said one way or the other.” She frowns, and glances down. “Come to think of it, they never really interacted very much when we’re all together.”
“Maybe he couldn’t pull the wool over her eyes.”
“It’s possible. She’s never said anything to me. Well, that’s not exactly true. After we broke up, she told me…” Her words fall off and she bites her bottom lip.
“What?”
“She told me...” She cups her face.
“What?” I ask and laugh.
“She told me to hook up with some random hot guy and fuck Brad right out of my mind.”
I laugh at that. “I’m glad you took her advice.”
She laughs with me. “You’re not random, Callan.”
“But you’re saying I’m hot though, right?”
“My God, are you twelve?” she asks, but she’s laughing so hard tears are in her eyes. The tension in my shoulders ebb away. I like that I can distract her like this.
“Maybe your sister only teases people she likes,” I say.
“Yeah, maybe. I guess we hope she embarrasses you then.”
“Well that’s something to look forward to I guess.”
“Both my sisters became teachers, too.”
“Like your mom.”
“You remember?”
I nod. “Do you spend much time with them?”
“Not as much as I’d like. We were all pretty close growing up, though.”
“Only child here.”
“Did you want siblings?”
“Yeah, I actually did.” I’m sure Kaitlyn would love to have siblings, but that’s just not in the cards for us. I stare at the road; cars pass in a blur. Am I depriving my daughter of a fulfilled childhood by closing myself off to the idea of a family and more children? Shit, I guess I never thought about that before.
“I think it’s my turn to ask if you’re okay?” Gemma says, dragging my focus back.
I scratch my chin. “Yeah, sorry. I zoned out there for a second.”
“Want to talk about it?”
I shrug. “Just wondering if I’m doing right by my daughter, you know.”
She puts her hand on my legs. “You are. You grew up without siblings,” she says, smart enough to know where my thoughts have gone. “You turned out all right.”
I grin. “You say that now. Wait until after you spend the weekend with me. You’re going to see all kinds of crazy.”
She laughs, and it lightens my mood. “I’m sure I’ll still like you, Callan. Wait, weren’t you voted most likeable in our yearbook?”
“I was able to hide the crazy. What were you voted?” I ask and cast her a glance.
She chuckles. “Most likely to end up on Broadway. Probably because of my music and dancing.”
“That’s right, you were in all the school plays.” I nod and relax into my seat. “I forgot about that. I forgot that look on your face when you used to dance.”
“You remember that?”
“Yeah, you were so happy. Dancing was an outlet for you, wasn’t it?”
“It was.”
“Like you could be free.” She nods. “You’ve sort of lost that, Gemma.” Her body tightens, and she looks away. “It’s okay,” I say. “You can tell me.”
“I haven’t felt free in a long time.”
My stomach coils. Her ex had taken a lot from her and dammit, if I don’t want to give it back. “Maybe you can dance for me sometime.”
“I take it you mean privately,” she says and whacks my stomach.
I grab her hand. “Of course, I mean privately and preferably with a pole,” I say to lighten the mood. But it doesn’t change the fact that I want happiness and the euphoria that comes from dancing back in her life. “How is it you always know what I’m thinking?”
“You’re a guy,” she states, and I laugh out loud.
“That I am.”
“But you’re a good guy, Callan. I need that in my life right now.”
“Yeah, you do,” I say.
“Just up left here. The one with the triple garage.”
“Every house has a triple garage,” I say. The homes here are gorgeous. Gemma takes a big breath and lets it out as I pull into the driveway, which is already filled with cars. I kill the engine, and we step from the car. “Nice place.”
“It’s gorgeous,” she says as I pull our bags from the trunk.
“Wait, I just thought of something. Are your parents going to make us sleep in separate rooms?”
“I’m a grown woman, Callan. Of course not.”
I take her hand in mine, and dip my head. “They’re not going to like this—us—though, are they? They want you back with Brad?”
“They do, but they always liked you, Callan.”
I glance around the big estate, take in the perfectly manicured lawns. “At least we don’t have to pretend.”
“What do you mean?”
“We’re pretty good together.”
“Yeah, we are,” she says with a smile. “And really, they just want to see me happy.” She tries to take her bag from me, but I toss the strap over my shoulder.
“What kind of an impression would I make if I let you carry your own bag?”
“You’re kind of an old-fashioned guy, aren’t you?” She holds her hand up. “I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. I actually like it.”
Without thinking, I lean into her and place a soft kiss on her lips. I break it and her fingers go to her mouth, lightly linger there as warmth moves into her cheeks, staining them a pretty shade of pink. “What was that for?”
I’m not really sure, and I probably shouldn’t admit that. A movement near the front door catches my attention. “It was for our audience,” I say.
Her gaze flies to the front door, and she grabs my arm. “It’s Brad,” she says through clenched teeth, her body tightening all over again.
“It’s okay,” I say and take her hand. Presenting a united front, we saunter up the driveway. Brad’s dark eyes are pinned on me.
He stands to his full height when we reach the bottom step. “I didn’t know you were bringing a friend,” he says.
“Brad,” Gemma says. “This is Callan Ward. We’re friends from high school.”
I laugh. “That was then. We’re a lot more than that now, babe.” I slide my hand around her and drag her close. She smiles up at me and I know we’re putting on a performance, but my heart beats just a little faster at the warm gratitude in her eyes.
“You didn’t tell me you were seeing someone.” Brad squares his shoulders, his anger barely contained. What a fucking asshole to think she owed him any sort of explanation. He’s not her keeper. No one is.