“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 negotiates 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.”