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“A little.” Marie’s start in the world was tough to talk about but Callie felt like someone who would listen and understand without question.
“I sometimes worry about that on the days my mother has clarity. I don’t want her to feel like she’s missed out on things, but then, if she remembers how long it’s been then maybe it’s inevitable?”
“I don’t know if it compares,” I answered honestly. “But it’s a strange kind of guilt. When I was twenty-seven, I was in a motorcycle accident. I was always stupid and reckless with that kind of thing.”
“Oh my god.” Callie’s eyes widened, then she smirked lightly. “A hot thought, though. You in motorcycle leather.”
“Thank you.” I grinned. “I ended up falling for the use that took care of me and we had a fling. More than a one-night stand but nothing to write home about. Then she upped and moved away and I never heard from her again. I moved on with my life until two years ago when she turned up on my doorstep, sick, with Marie in tow. My daughter.”
That day still felt like a fever dream, even after all this time.
“Lucy was dying. She wanted to ensure Marie came to her dad because no one else was there. It was a hard transition from party boy to father but I’m doing my best. I’m lucky Marie is so gracious.”
“Poor kid,” Callie mused. “I can’t begin to imagine.”
“She’s a tough kid. The hardest part for a long time was the questions I had. Why Lucy stayed away and why she didn’t find me sooner but they all felt… pointless. She didn’t have much time left, and I was not a responsible man so I couldn’t blame her.”
“You? Not responsible?” Callie giggled. “Unheard of.”
“Oh I know,” I nodded seriously, laced with light sarcasm. “In my youth, I was a right rascal. In fact, that scar Kane has on his right eye?”
Callie nodded, her brow furrowing in thought. “Let me guess, you both had a very manly, very important wrestling match.”
“Nope. A drunken brawl over who was the beer pong winner.”
Callie burst out laughing and the sound brought a wide smile to my face. Her tinkling laugh was gorgeous. Infectious actually, and I couldn’t help but grin at her.
“I can’t imagine Kane being that kind of guy. You, for sure. Sawyer, maybe. But Kane?”
“We were all reckless and stupid back then.” Before life got in the way. “Kane had to shoulder a lot of his family money and that kind of responsibility sobers a man up quickly. Sawyer’s mother died so he had to step in with his father and I was just the reckless, broken third wheel four beers deep until Marie turned up.”
“Wow,” Callie breathed, crossing her legs and turning her attention back to Marie. “It’s kind of nice then, isn’t it? That you’re all coming back together for this brilliant new project that helps people. I don’t know much but I do know Sawyer’s been a bit lighter with you around. Kane too. It’s just… nice.”
Callie was right. It was nice. And so was she.
The wind picked up, ruffling through her brown hair and causing many of the strands to catch the sun. Amber tones glowed through her hair, and when she glanced at me with a smile, her brown eyes looked like honey.
Not once did Callie consider that we were all happier because of her. She saw a renewed friendship and didn’t even factor herself into the situation. It was adorable, and a strong urge rose inside my chest to kiss her.
Maybe not in front of Marie. Not yet.
“Come to dinner.”
“What?” Callie’s head whipped around.
“Come to dinner. I’d love to have you, and I know Marie would.” Not wanting to give Callie the chance to back out, I turned and called to Marie. “Do you want Callie to come for dinner?”
“Yes!” Marie yelled back, dropping down from the monkey bars. She sprinted over at top speed. “Please come! It’ll be fun and maybe Dad won’t be so boring when he’s doing the dishes.”
“Hey!” I exclaimed, sweeping Marie up into my arms. She dissolved into giggles and squeals as I tickled her sides and tummy. Callie’s laughter joined in like music, and we almost felt like a family for a few moments.
That was a dangerous thought. I knew better than to entertain those kinds of feelings about Callie but I couldn’t help it. Being around her felt so natural.
“See?” I laughed, setting Marie down the right way up. “You can’t say no.”
“Okay,” Callie chuckled, her cheeks pink once again. “I’ll come to dinner.”
“Yay!” Marie threw herself into Callie’s arms and I narrowly managed to drag the cake out of the way before there was any kind of disaster.
