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She had seemed timid, but now she embraced the kiss. I felt her relax, and a small sigh escaped from her as the kiss deepened. I brought my hand up to Darcy’s neck, the very place I had imagined kissing moments earlier. As I cupped her head in my hand, my fingers moved up into her hair. I relished the intimacy of the moment and the way Darcy seemed to press back into my hand even as she opened her mouth further to me.
I was shocked when she moved forward and closed the gap between us, pressing her full body against me.
“Darcy,” I whispered, wanting nothing more than to get closer. I needed more of her. I pressed back against her eager body and walked her to the wall, putting my hand behind her back to protect her from the hard metal of the fuse box. There was fire in her eyes, and I met her lips again, matching the passion Darcy was showing me.
But just as I started kissing her again, Darcy pushed me aside, both hands pushing hard against my chest.
“I have to go,” she said as I stepped back. Darcy slipped out of the closet, leaving me blinking as the light from the hallway filtered into the small space.
5
DARCY
Istood at the counter, my heart pounding as I sorted through mail for maybe the tenth time that day. Callum was going to think I couldn’t read or something. But it was the only thing I could find to look occupied with when Callum walked out from the back hallway.
For the second time that day I had run away from him. I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment as the door behind me swung open. I kept my eyes down, unable to look at him.
“Darcy,” he said. Without warning a wave of desire flushed through me as I remembered the way he had whispered my name in the back closet. He crossed in front of the counter and I was glad to have the large desk between us.
“Is everything okay?”
“Sorry,” I said, though I kicked myself for apologizing. It felt like I had spent all day trying to make amends for my actions.
“Did I …? I’m sorry if I misread something back there.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said. My eyes were still on the mail. It felt too strange to meet his gaze. The truth was, I didn’t even know why I had run. Kissing Callum had felt good. Maybe too good. When I felt his body press up against me, all thoughts seemed to fly out of my head. I only felt desire and longing, stronger than I had in a long time. It left me feeling confused and overwhelmed. And I had to get out of there. I had spent nearly ten years hating Callum Jones. I couldn’t let one afternoon with him erase all our history together.
“I really am sorry,” Callum said. There was confusion in his voice, and I glanced up to see him run his hand over his face, as if washing away our encounter. Was he upset? I wanted to explain all the things I was feeling, but I couldn’t figure out how to form words.
“I just got out of a relationship,” I blurted out. When I was cornered in a bar, some guy begging to buy me a drink, this had become my go-to response. If some client asked me to dinner, I always had it in my back pocket to let them down easy. I wasn’t sure why I was pulling this excuse out for Callum when, in reality, all I wanted was to reach across the counter and pull him back in for another kiss. But it felt like something that might excuse my strange behavior back there.
“Right,” Callum said, and it sounded like he might know the story. I made a mental note to yell at Liz for telling her brother about my failed engagement.
“I’m not in a place to jump into something else right now.”
“Of course. I get it.”
“Plus, my dad passed away.”
Oh my god, why are you telling him all of this? It was like I had no control over what was coming out of my mouth. All I wanted was to sink into the floor behind the counter and disappear.
“Liz told me about that. I’m so sorry.” For a moment I thought he might come around the counter to put a hand on my back or try to hug me. But before he could, I walked away, intent on keeping as much space between us as possible.
“It’s alright,” I said, as I rearranged empty flower pots that were perfectly fine where they were. I just needed something to keep me busy until Callum took the hint and left me alone.
“Look, I’m playing a show tonight at the Music Hall. I’d love it if you came.”
The gentleness in his voice made me look up at him despite my determination to do anything but. I was touched he wanted me to come to his concert.
“I set it up so my manager would let me come home. He’s always looking for opportunities to get my name out there and play more shows. But it’s just me—no band. So, I’m trying out some of my acoustic stuff.”
As he spoke, I recognized a tentative excitement in his voice, as if the idea of performing on his own was something he was looking forward to. Did I also sense some nerves? I had to admit I was interested to see what the show would look like. I was familiar with the loud and energetic shows he usually played with his band. Seeing Callum alone onstage with his guitar would be a much more intimate experience.
“Sounds like you’re excited about it,” I guessed, and I saw a genuine smile spread across his face.
“Excited but scared,” he said, and I was pleased with myself for picking up on those emotions so clearly.
“You’ve performed in like a hundred countries,” I laughed. “How are you scared?”
