He pauses and I figure Jeff is talking. I feel like I’m in an alternate universe. What is Reed doing here? More importantly, why is he insisting on going to dinner with me?
“I’ll tell her. See you then.”
“Katie’s postponing it for a couple of days. She needs to work through some things with Jeff.”
“She does,” I agree.
“So, that’s settled. What time are you supposed to be at the Johnsons?”
“Were you invited to dinner?” I ask sarcastically.
“Actually, yes. Mrs. Johnson made me promise to come by anytime.”
“She did?” I’m not surprised, it’s just I feel the walls closing in on me.
“Yep, when I had dinner there the other night. You’ve turned into a really good cook, by the way.”
I can feel myself blushing. “I took online cooking classes.”
“You did? With all the work you do, how did you find time?”
I shrug uncomfortably. “I like to stay busy.”
“What’s for dinner tonight?” he asks, making me frown.
“How do you know I’m cooking?”
“Because I know you.”
“Not really, you haven’t seen me in years,” I argue.
“So, you’re not cooking,” he says, but he’s grinning and clearly, he already knows my answer.
“We’re having spaghetti. I’m going to make it there.”
He smiles. “Then, let’s get a move on. I’m suddenly really hungry.”
He stands up and reaches down for my hand. I stare at him for a minute, my gaze dropping down until I finally put my hand in his and let him pull me up.
I’m so confused, but at the same time, I’m glad that Reed is here.
What’s wrong with me?
CHAPTER 15
Reed
“I can’t believe you had Rook all this time!” Callie exclaims while the Johnsons laugh.
“You’re not my partner, Callie. You can’t let important information like that out.”
“I don’t remember you being so sneaky, Reed Lane,” she nags, and I laugh.
God, who would have thought that I’d have this much fun playing Rook with Henry and Esther. Looking at Callie’s face—slightly pouting because she hates losing—I can admit that I’ve not had this great of a time in fucking forever. I lean back in my chair and look at her—really look at her.
There’s no way to explain why I still love her. I can’t comprehend how precious the look on her face is and how her features are all so fucking familiar that they feel like they’re a part of me. It just is…she just is.
Trying to explain what I feel for her is like explaining why rain falls from the sky. It just happens, a miracle that we take for granted, but it’s a miracle just the same. That’s what Callie is to me. I’ve always known that, although I can admit that I forgot how potent she is.
“I don’t think of myself as sneaky. I’m more like stealthy,” I joke.
“Don’t you think that means the same thing?” she laughs.
I wink at her and am instantly rewarded with her blush.
She shakes her head at me, but she’s smiling and much more relaxed than I’ve seen her since I got back in town.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I want another piece of that cake Callie brought over,” Mrs. Johnson says.
“Not me. I couldn’t handle another bite,” Callie laughs.
“Well, I know my Henry does. What about you, Reed?”
“Sounds good,” I laugh.
“I’ll get up and help you. Maybe if we fatten Reed and Henry up, they’ll stop beating us.”
I look at Callie, feeling this happiness that I’d forgotten. “That sounds like you’re playing dirty.”
She shrugs and goes into the kitchen with Mrs. Johnson.
“You still care for her,” Mr. Johnson says.
I shrug. “She’s Callie,” I answer, and I guess that explains it all.
“Does she know?”
“Nah, I mean, it’s been five years.”
“Five years is nothing when a good woman gets a hold of you.”
“It’s not like that. For all I know, Callie has a boyfriend. I have a life in Tennessee now.”
I stop talking because I sound like a damn pussy. Maybe Kingston has a point. I’m not back in Macon but a few days and I’m already being wishy-washy. It might be time to start channeling Ryker—the man the public and most of the people I work with see every day. The man that, admittedly, I never allowed myself to be around Callie. I mean, she loved me once and I’m still the same person—just a hell of a lot more bossier. It’s a side effect of overseeing a multi-million-dollar career. I learned early on that no one cares about your career more than you do.
“Callie’s not seeing anyone. She hasn’t since you left. Oh, there are men that would stand in line for her, and some do. She doesn’t notice them, though. She spends some time with that fancy new pastor at Macon Baptist. He’s a nice enough guy. He would love nothing more than to hook his wagon to Callie.”
My fist tightens as I hear about some man interested in Callie. A preacher. Jesus. He could probably give Callie the kind of life she deserves. He’ll be settled in town with a nice house, a picket fence, and babies. Lots of babies.