“When I’m pleased with my man and I bring my A-game. So I’d recommend you start making nice with me if you want some of that action.”
My lips find hers, and I kiss her slowly and deeply. When I end it, I say, “Out of everything you just said, all I heard were the words ‘my man’.”
She’s silent for a beat. “You never stopped being my man, Luke Hardy. You just never knew it.”
48
Callie
Family.
I never realised what I was missing out on until I became part of Luke’s family. Sitting around the table over dinner, with this family, I feel so much love and acceptance that my heart could actually burst.
Sean crawls onto my lap and rests his head against my chest while wrapping his arms around me. He’s been my shadow all afternoon, which is cool, because if he wasn’t mine, I’d certainly be his.
Luke smiles at us as he reaches for my hand. Since we’ve spent all afternoon with the family, we haven’t had a chance to talk about what’s happening between us. I’m okay with that, though, because I think we’re on the same page now.
“So,” Estelle says with a clap of her hands. She’s so happy to be here with us all. Her glow burns bright. “Sailing is booked for eight tomorrow morning.” Looking at Avery, she asks, “What have you decided, darling?” I smile at the relationship they’ve formed. Estelle has become the mother to her she hasn’t had for most of her life.
Tyler answers for Avery. “She’s not going. I’ll stay here with her.”
Avery scowls at him before looking at Estelle. “I’ve decided not to go. But Tyler will go with you. I’m going to check into the day spa instead.”
Tyler opens his mouth to respond, but I cut him off. “I’ll stay with Avery. We can have a girls’ day.”
She hits me with a grateful smile.
Sean shifts so he can look up at me. “No, I want you to come sailing,” he grumbles.
I take hold of his face with both my hands. “We can go sailing another time.”
“When?”
“When we get home from this trip we’ll organise a day. How does that sound?”
His face lights up with a smile, and he nods. “That sounds good.”
My eyes meet Luke’s.
No words are exchanged, but I know what’s behind the expression on his face. He’s wondering what I mean by ‘when we get home’.
Estelle continues, “You girls will have breakfast with us?”
“Yes, I will,” I reply.
Avery agrees also and Estelle beams. “Good. I need my girls at breakfast.”
My girls.
Family.
After dinner, we all take a walk along the beach, laughing the whole time. Even Avery and Tyler put aside their bickering and have some fun. When they let their issues go, they are something else to watch. Her eyes sparkle and his body language screams out how much he wants her. I always knew they had something; I just hope they can find their way to it.
As we stroll back towards the resort, Luke’s arm slides over my shoulders and he pulls me close. We slow down while everyone keeps moving forward. “You know what I’m looking forward to?” he says.
I glance up at him. “What?”
“Sailing with you.”