“I had time while you were driving home. I ran into the city and grabbed it,” he shrugs like it was nothing.
“I thought you were avoiding getting out, so the press didn’t find you?”
“Cities are safer than Macon. A hat over my head, dark glasses, it’s all good. Although the people here have been cool. I’ve had some approach me for pictures and things, but for the most part they leave me to myself.”
I nod, still not quite ready to believe everything he’s done to make me comfortable.
“Callie?” he prompts. I can tell he’s worried—which is the last thing I want. “Did I mess up, baby?”
“No. How could you? All this is above and beyond—especially considering how late it is,” I assure him. “I just didn’t expect it,” I finally confess.
“Then, what’s wrong?” he asks.
I don’t know how to tell him everything I’m thinking. It’s probably best I don’t anyway. He might freak out if he knew what I was feeling. So, instead of making a fool of myself, I just turn into him and hug him close. “I think I just forgot how truly good you are, Reed.”
“Don’t forget that I can be really bad, too,” he murmurs in my ear.
I can feel the goosebumps scatter across my skin, and my body instantly becomes heated.
“I remember,” I exhale, moving out of his arms. I can feel the heat in my face, but it pales compared to the fire his words have started inside me.
“I should warn you it’s been a long time since I had to help with this kind of thing. But the female stuff you always liked to use—including your lavender soaking salts are on the sink in the bathroom. You can use that in the morning, but I figured you could use the rest of it tonight.”
I find myself walking to the sink to look at them. Sure enough, there is a huge container of the lavender bath pellets that I love. I haven’t had any in a while because they are really expensive. When I buy them, I always use the store brand, but these are the real deal. I almost gasp when I see both tampons and pads. There are like four boxes of each, and every box is a different type. I turn to look at him, a question on my face. I’m rewarded when he is the one to blush this time.
“I don’t exactly buy that stuff, so the girl at the store told me the most popular brands and I just grabbed those…”
I want to speak, but I find I can’t. I walk the rest of the way to the sink as if in a trance. I touch each item in shock. Reed also purchased the razors that I use—again name brand not the store ones I purchase. Shampoo and conditioner are also on the counter. I don’t buy that particular type anymore. I’ve switched to something different, but these are the exact ones that I would have bought five years ago. Which means…
“You remember the stuff I liked to use the last time you were here.”
“Of course, I do, Callie. I could never forget anything about you.”
“Thank you for all of this. I’m not sure what I ever did to have you in my life…”
I feel tears start to sting my eyes. Thankfully, Reed gives me a lopsided grin. Then, he leans down and kisses my forehead.
“How about you change into my T-shirt I laid out for you, and I’ll go make you some of that tea you always liked.”
“Oh my God, you bought ginger tea?”
“You like it,” he shrugs.
“God, you’re so sweet,” I tell him, my words filled with love. I doubt he knows that and it’s probably a good thing. It’s best if he doesn’t realize how much I love him—or need him. “I don’t really need tea, though.”
“Are you sure, Bluebird?”
“What I want more than anything is you holding me tonight and feeling you next to me.” I watch his beautiful, full lips tilt up. He walks me backwards. I follow his lead, my gaze never leaving his face. “Umm…”
“I’m going to undress you and then we’ll get in bed together, baby.” As he’s talking, he pulls my shirt off. I let out a ragged breath.
“Maybe I could go use the restroom and freshen up first. It was a long drive.”
Understanding lights his eyes. “You do that, and I’ll go make sure the house is locked up and all the lights are off.”
“Sounds like a deal.” He kisses my lips briefly. I watch him walk away but as he gets to the door, I stop him. “Reed?”
“Yeah, honey?”
“Thank you for all of this.”
“It’s nothing, Callie.”
“You’re wrong. It means more than you know.”
He doesn’t say anything right away. He studies me. “I’ll be back in a couple of minutes, Bluebird.”