Just like Gemma and I are great together.
She smiles, and her eyes hold warmth and happy memories as she briefly looks off into the distance. “Zoe always liked Tami. This would have made her happy.”
“She’s looking down on you right now and smiling, Melissa,” I say.
“I know she is. I bet she’s doing the same thing to you, Callan,” she says and gives my arm a little squeeze. “Listen, why don’t we all have a get-together soon.” She turns to me. “We’ll have dinner with Mom and Dad, and maybe I’ll make the big announcement with family all around us. I’m sure they’d love to see Gemma again.”
I nod, and she goes up on her toes to give me a kiss on the cheek. She touches my arm, gives it another little squeeze as if to tell me she’s happy for me. When she’s out of sight, I let out a breath.
“You okay?” Gemma asks her knuckles brushing mine in a supportive way.
“Yeah.” I rake my hand through my hair. “I thought that was going to be awkward.”
“I think she’s happy to see you with someone, Callan. Even if this is a fake relationship,” she says reminding me what it is and what it isn’t. “I’ve always liked Melissa.”
“She’s a good kid.” I grip the cart and head down the aisle. “Do you think it was weird for her and she was just hiding it?”
“No, I think she’s happy for us, and happy that you’re living your life again. You deserve that, Callan. If she was upset, she wouldn’t have told you about her engagement. That’s big news. She told you before her folks, and she wouldn’t have invited us to her parents’ for dinner if she didn’t like seeing us kiss.”
“Yeah, but this isn’t real, so we can’t really go,” I say.
She nods and turns away to grab something from the shelf, and for a brief second I wonder if she might want this to be real, too. But then I remember we want different things, and even if we didn’t, neither of us are ready for more, right?
We make our way down the rest of the aisle, and once we get our groceries, we head back to my place, and it’s so odd how being with her in my house, meandering around the kitchen as we put things away, feels so right.
As soon as we’re done, I pull her to me, and kiss her with all the need inside me.
“Wow, what was that for?” she asks as her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink.
“I think I remember you saying something about hurrying home so you could show me what brings you pleasure.”
“I don’t remember saying that,” she teases. “Look at you putting words in my mouth.”
“That’s not the only thing I’m going to be putting in your mouth,” I tell her with a grin and give her a slap on the ass to set her into motion. She yelps and darts up the stairs. I follow after her, happiness welling up inside me. I haven’t been this happy in a long time. Was Gemma right when we talked early the other morning? Do I deserve happiness? Is this what Zoe would want?
The truth is, the only one who seems to have a problem with me moving on…is me.
13
Gemma
The last month has been the most glorious month of my life. I’ve been staying at Callan’s place and sleeping in his bed. Once Kaitlyn is fast asleep, he sneaks in and warms me with his big body as he climbs between the sheets. Some nights we have the most glorious, fulfilling sex—honestly, before him I never knew sex could be so good—other nights we’d just cuddle and talk about everything and nothing. Each morning, Callan slips from the room and hits the sofa before his daughter wakes and begins her day.
Taking care of Kaitlyn has been fun, and I have to say, the more time I spend with her, the more time I think about having my own family. Only problem is, I might want the family I’m playing house with. Might. Okay, more like I want to make this situation between Callan and me permanent.
“Kaitlyn, grab this,” I say, getting her to help me put the last of the decorations on the float we all decorated for the summer parade. She takes the banner and holds it in place as I staple it. We stand back and admire our work.
“Well done,” I say, and Kaitlyn gives me a high five and bounces off. The kids, as well as the volunteer adults, have all been working hard to put the float together, and in less than an hour, we’ll all ride it as it’s pulled by the fire department.
I glance up and shade the late day sun from my eyes as Callan and his crew bring the big firetruck into the empty parking lot where we’re all getting organized. The world spins a little as he climbs from the truck and comes toward us. I grab onto the side of the float to keep myself upright.
“Gemma, are you okay?” Callan asks when he reaches us. Kaitlyn comes running over, throws herself into his arms, and he picks her up.
“I think I’ve been in the sun too long,” I tell him and he sets his daughter back down, and puts his arm around me. He leads me to the back of the truck, and I welcome the shade. I sit on the bumper and he grabs me a bottle of water. Kaitlyn dashes off to be with her friends as Callan drops to his knees. Going into professional mode, his gaze moves over my face.
“I’m fine,” I tell him, and put one hand on his shoulder. “You don’t have to go all first responder on me. It’s the sun and I didn’t eat properly this morning. I’m sure my blood sugar is just low.”
He
