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)
“I just want what’s best for you,” Nico says softly. “I want you to be as happy as you’ve made us.”
I take Evan’s hand in mine again. “And I am, not only because of Evan, but because of how loved and supported I am by you guys and Vance.”
He nods and then looks at Evan. “I’m sorry for taking digs at you. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Thank you,” Evan says, but he’s wary. So am I.
“But I still don’t like you, and I still don’t want you with Callie.”
“Jesus Christ, Nico,” Aviva groans, and Evan nods.
“That’s okay. We don’t have to like each other. We just have to respect each other for Callie.”
Nico swallows hard. “I can do that.”
Evan reaches out his hand, and Nico takes it, shaking it. And I know that doesn’t solve everything, but at least it’s a start. At least we’re all on the same page and have the chance to move forward. I feel good about my decision. I know it was hard for everyone to hear, but it needed to be said before it was too late. My heart hurts a bit because I wanted to be able to say I had a mom and a dad again, but that isn’t in my cards.
What is in my cards is Evan.
He looks at me before he grins. “I guess we’ll just have awkward holidays, then?”
I agree as I wrap my arms around his neck. “Really awkward and tense until he comes around, but there will be French toast.”
“I do like French toast,” he says, pressing his nose to mine. “But none of it matters because I’m here for you and only you.”
I grin, moving my nose with his. “I love you, Evan.”
His eyes fall shut as he pulls me in closer, “Callie, my love, I love you too.”
When our lips meet, my heart swells in my chest. This wasn’t how I thought this trip home would play out. I fully expected to go back to school with parents, but maybe that was where I’ve gone wrong all these years. I wanted a “real” family, when the one I had was more than enough. I always thought I was missing someone, but I already had it all. I am who I am because of my past, and it took hearing Evan’s words about me to make me realize it.
Oh, Evan.
I knew the moment I found out he was coming to Bellevue that I wanted to get to know him and take my shot. What I didn’t know at the time was that I was taking my shot for a chance with a man who needed me as much as I wanted him. A man to inspire, to remind who he is, and to support at every turn as he does for me. A man who has taught me what love truly is and has made me laugh more than I could ever have imagined.
A man I’ll truly love for the rest of my life.
thirty-eight
Evan
“So, what you’re saying is, I can’t beat Nico’s ass?”
I give my brother a dark and annoyed look. “No. We are moving forward. He doesn’t like me or want me with Callie, but we will respect each other.”
Owen doesn’t seem to understand or want to understand. “Are you sure he doesn’t like me? I’m a hoot and not fucking his wife’s sister,” Owen says, and when I glare, he laughs. “I kid. If he hates you, he hates me because I hate him.”
“There it is,” I say, shaking my head.
“And I still might hit him with my stick—on accident, of course,” he admits, and I roll my eyes.
“Don’t. Just let it be. I don’t want to make anything worse for Callie.”
Owen blows out a breath. “Fine, I’ll refrain because Callie is sweet and is good for you. I can’t believe she canceled the adoption.”
I shrug. Honestly, I can’t either. The whole breakfast this morning has played on repeat in my head. I’m trying to figure out if everything I said was good enough and if I truly fought for myself and for Callie. I think I did, but the outcome is so shitty. Callie doesn’t get a mom and a dad, but she says it’s better this way. “She had good reasoning, not wanting to blur lines and to keep the roles the way they should be.”
“True, because what if Aviva and Nico divorce. Then what? Ya know?”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way,” I say, surprised I hadn’t. “You’re right, though.”
“Yeah, it sucks. I know Callie’s hurting over the whole thing, but I think she made the right choice.”
“I do too. I just hope she doesn’t regret it if anything were to happen between us.”
I feel his gaze on me, and when I meet his eyes, he has a serious expression on his face. “It wasn’t about you, Ev. It was about the reasons she gave. Don’t get in your head about this.”