Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
She beams. “Do you think your mom thinks I’m crazy for coming here? I was just going to call, but I was so worried, I came instead.”
“Not at all. If anything, she’ll appreciate how much you care.”
She brushes her fingers along my cheek. “I kept checking my phone for something from you. I almost even checked the sky for a smoke signal.”
I smile, stroking my hand along her back. “Yeah, I don’t know how I let you go without getting your number.”
“A lot was going on.”
“I know, but you best believe, you aren’t going anywhere without giving it to me this time.”
She grins. “Maybe I won’t, so I don’t have to leave.”
I grin back at her. “I’d love that, but I think I need to apologize. I feel like I’ve dropped the ball left and right with you.”
She shrugs. “Just adds some drama to our story.”
We share another smile, and I ask, “Can I take you out this weekend? On a real date.”
“I’d love that.”
I lean in, kissing her top lip. “Me too.” She kisses me back, and against her lips, I ask, “When do you need to leave?”
She shrugs. “Curfew is eleven, but I don’t care.”
“I don’t want you getting in trouble.”
“I don’t want to leave.”
“I know, but you have a meet tomorrow,” I remind her, but I really don’t think she cares. She cuddles deeper into me, and I wrap my arms tighter around her. “Want me to ride back with you? I can have Owen follow with my car to bring me home.”
She nuzzles her nose into my neck but doesn’t answer me right away. Instead, she says, “Guess what.”
“What?”
“I’m asking Nico to be my dad tomorrow.”
I grin against her temple. “You love him a lot.”
“So much,” she says, holding me tight. “I’m really excited. I know he’ll say yes to adopting me, but I’m still nervous.”
“Don’t be. It’s gonna go smoothly.”
“I hope so. He donates so much money to the team and the autism center. I’m hoping he’s impressed by both.”
“Callie, he’s going to be completely blown away, just like I am when I see you in your element.”
She leans her head back, meeting my gaze. “Will you be up for going to the meet tomorrow?”
“I am. I gotta tape your ankles.”
Callie’s lips curve ever so sweetly, looking like a sexy little kitten. “If you aren’t up to it, I understand.”
“I’ll be there,” I promise.
She kisses me below my jaw, setting my body on fire. “I can’t wait.”
“Me either,” I say, gliding my hand along her hip, running my fingertips over her skin that is showing from her shirt riding up. “It’s going to be a great day for you.”
“I hope so. And don’t let Nico hold you back from talking to me,” she says, and she uses an almost teasing tone.
I might have done that before, but after tonight, I refuse to allow his upcoming arrival to ruin everything Callie and I just shared. Instead, I kiss her temple and whisper, “I’ll only be focused on you.”
She tips her head back, meeting my gaze. “No pressure to show out, huh?”
I grin, squeezing her hip. “You show out without trying.”
Her face lights up, and our lips meet once more as my body quivers with the anticipation of what is happening between us. I didn’t share a lot, just enough to feel good and better about how everything has played out. I want to take her advice, protect my peace, but I also want to fight to think about myself the way she thinks of me. I am well aware people are put in your life for all kinds of reasons, but as our lips move together, I know there was no way in hell I would have ever seen Callie coming.
nineteen
Callie
I’ve been planning this since I asked Aviva if she thought Nico would want to adopt me. While I’m exhausted after getting back to the house, well past curfew, it can’t derail my excitement. I had expected to be nervous, but that’s not the case at all. I’m stoked. When I see Aviva and Nico get out of the car in the parking lot of the Autism Center of Bellevue, I’m bouncing on my heels. Nico goes to the back to get Vance, I assume, but Aviva, she looks for me like I knew she would. When she sees me, she grins so widely, my heart almost bursts in my chest.
Oh, I love my sister.
She comes toward me, and I meet her halfway, our embrace tight. Aviva’s hugs are one of my favorite things in the world. As she holds me, I close my eyes, taking in her citrus scent as time stops around us. When she pulls back, she looks down at me, grinning as she cups my face. “I swear Nashville looks good on you, Calliope.”