He was just telling the truth. That’s how he sees me.
Pressure weighed on her chest—loss, regret, frustration, and pain. So much pain.
Megan gave Fin a challenging look. “Oh, cut it out. You know exactly what I mean. It’s not an insult. It’s who she was. She didn’t care about make-up or clothes. She didn’t even brush her hair half the time.”
A slow, delicious smile kicked up the corner of Fin’s mouth. “Wild thing.”
Jesus. Julian knew nothing about her past. He didn’t need to hear her old nickname or see the way Fin looked at her—like they’d just stumbled out of a closet with their hair mussed and her panties balled up in his pocket.
“I’m going to find our seats.” Callie got one step away when she heard Fin say, “Know how I became an extreme athlete?”
“I didn’t know you were an athlete, but I’d like to hear the story,” Julian said.
“Fin.” Callie gestured to the table where her brother stood waiting for the guests to settle. “Aren’t you making a toast?”
“This won’t take long.” He turned back to Julian. “We were snowboarding. Me and my brothers and Callie. Right there.” He lifted his beer bottle to the Tetons. “We wound up on this spine we’d never been on before, and we were all just flying. Time of our lives. Well, this one”—he pointed the bottle toward Callie—“flew off the edge of a cliff. Jesus, it was like…” His thumb rubbed his lower lip. “I thought I’d lost her. No way could anyone survive a fall like that. And it all happened so fast, it wasn’t like we could do anything to save her. One minute we’re tearing down the mountain, the next….she was gone. I wanted to jump off right after her, but Will, my brother, grabbed me.” He gestured with both arms what a bear hug would look like from behind. “I stood there watching her sail—free falling—sure she was going to hit a rock and crumple into a broken heap. But you know what she did?”
She doubted anyone would notice the unease beneath Julian’s fixed smile. He listened with rapt attention, yet the undercurrent of what the hell pulsed through him. He looked like he’d blinked and opened his eyes to find himself surrounded by Oompa Loompas.
But whose fault was that? She hadn’t told him any of this.
“What?” Julian’s tone was bright, interested.
“She landed it. She fuckin’ landed it. Never seen anything like it.”
Callie remembered the moment vividly. She had been in freefall. The world had gone silent, a blur of colors: white, bright blue, green. A strange stillness had settled over her, her entire being on heightened alert. The earth had come up fast, mostly rock, but a patch of glistening white called to her and she’d leaned in that direction. She hadn’t prayed or screamed or anything. Just remained perfectly still and focused.
And when she’d landed on deep, powdery snow, her bones rattling, her teeth clacking, she’d felt a heady sense of elation.
But the best moment came later when she’d come to a stop, heart flopping in her chest like a live fish on a dock. She’d looked up to see the stunned faces of all four Bowie brothers. At that point, the older ones had already made a name for themselves in snowboarding and skiing competitions in the state. They were big, brawny, fearless athletes. All of them had stood there gobsmacked.
But it was Fin’s expression—the awe, the pride—that stuck with her. She’d never doubted Fin’s love. He’d always been hers. But in that moment, he’d given her something else: a profound sense of confidence.
“And on that note,” Megan said. “I’m going to sit down.” She took off through the crowd.
The moment she left, Julian said, “So, piecing things together here, you two dated?”
“Ah, I wouldn’t call it dating.” Fin’s tone conjured tangled sheets and sweaty bodies, deep, sensuous kisses, and fists full of hair.
The shock of it had Julian’s eyes going wide.
Oh, dammit all to hell. Heat spread through her limbs, and perspiration prickled under her arms. What have you done?
She was an idiot not to have filled him in on her past. But, honestly, while they’d known each other for two years, they’d only been dating six months. As friends, they’d talked about their classes, dinner plans, and gallery openings. So, when they’d started going out, they’d been long past those getting-to-know-you conversations.
Thinking back, though, she realized he’d never asked. He’d known she was from Wyoming, had briefly and occasionally chatted with her parents on FaceTime, but he’d never asked about her exes or old friends or anything. He’d never wondered what she’d been like before he’d met her.
After the party, she’d answer all his questions. “Fin and I dated in high school.”
Julian gave a broad smile. “And, more importantly, you snowboard?”
A couple of times over the years, he’d invited her on ski trips with his family, but she’d always declined. Even if she could afford to ski in Aspen, she couldn’t give up a week’s pay to go on vacation. “Well, we live in the mountains. Everyone here does.”
Okay, enough chitchat. She’d embarrassed Julian, and she had to make it right. Grabbing her boyfriend’s hand, she forced a tight smile. “It was wonderful catching up with you.” Before turning away, though, she caught the disappointment in Fin’s eyes.
Wow, this was not going how she’d expected at all. She’d pictured giving Fin a cocky eat-your-heart-out smile when he saw how well she’d turned out. She’d never imagined he’d look at her like that. She led Julian to their table, unused to his body being so stiff and unyielding.
With a hand holding his suitcoat closed, he leaned across the table and shook hands with their tablemates. Then, he held a chair out for her. Tucking in close, he said, “I would’ve appreciated a little warning.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“Callie, sweetheart.” A stout woman approached with her arms open wide.
Callie popped back up and leaned into her aunt’s embrace. “Hi, Aunt Muriel.”
She smelled of cough drops and bacon from the canapés. “It’s been too long. How’s my favorite girl?”
Her uncle pried her loose and hugged her so hard her feet lifted off the grass. Her heel slipped out of her shoe, so when he set her back down she had to reach for Julian’s arm to steady herself.
“I didn’t recognize you.” The elderly man clamped his big paws on her shoulders. “Your aunt said, Oh, there’s our Callie, and I said, Where?” He gave a hearty laugh and then turned his attention to Julian. “Isn’t she a stunner? She used to—”
Oh, God, no. No more stories. “Uncle John, Aunt Muriel, I’d like you to meet my boyfriend, Julian Reyes. Julian, this is my Aunt Muriel and Uncle John.”
Her handsome, polished boyfriend gave her uncle a firm handshake. “Wonderful to meet you. I’m so pleased to finally meet Calliope’s family.”
“We’re so proud of her,” Aunt Muriel said. “Two college degrees. And just look at her. Sweetheart, you take my breath away. I can see that New York City’s everything you wanted it to be.” She pressed hand over her heart. “We’ve missed you so much. I’m sorry we didn’t make it for your graduation.”