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I dry my hair with the blow dryer Freya gifted me. It tames my unruly hair into long, soft waves, taking me from a simple islander to a Hollywood starlet in four minutes. In my imagination, at least. I put on my expensive, glossy makeup, dabbing my lipstick as she taught me. I shimmy into the red dress, pairing it with black heels.
He was right. I should have bought the heels to match.
We have a fun night out. The show is okay, but the comedian’s humor is a bit crass for me. As for sushi, give me a fried haddock from the Chippie any day.
We fall asleep in one another’s arms. When I wake, he’s already gone. A cup of tea sits on my nightstand, nestled in the electronic warmer he bought me, and a slice of lemon cake waiting for my breakfast.
The cake looks fantastic, but my stomach clenches, that niggling doubt surfacing in Callum’s absence.
What did he mean?
I need to clear my head.
After getting dressed, I go to the garden, leaving the French doors that lead to the kitchen open wide. It’s such a lovely day. In the shed, I grab my apron, trowel, and knee pad, nestling back to the bed I was weeding yesterday before I left to get ready for the Playhouse date.
I’m lost in my work when Callum comes striding out to join me. Leaning against a low brick wall, he watches me. “Did you have fun last night?”
“Last night was amazing,” I answer, thinking of the sexy shower, the fun of getting fancy, and the time spent alone with him.
“I love trying new things with you,” I say. “I’d love to keep trying new things with you.”
“Same,” he says with a peaceful grin.
“But,” I add, “if I’m to make such a commitment, I need to know what you’re hiding. If I’m to stay, Callum, if I’m even to consider becoming your wife?—”
“My wife?” His eyes go wide. “You’ve never said that before.”
My pulse quickens. “Did I say that out loud?”
“Aye and you cannae take it back,” he laughs. His face looks so happy I can’t help but not take the admission back.
“Well, I just said it. And I will think about it. Only, I’ll have no secrets between us.” I stare at him, wondering what he’s keeping from me.
“And?” he says.
I stand, brushing my hands along the front of my apron. “I’ll start,” I say. “I don’t like sushi. Even the fried kind.”
“I could tell,” he laughs. “Your adorable wee nose was wrinkled up the entire time.”
I put my hands on my hips. And I wait. “Now, you tell me yours.”
I need to know what he’s been keeping from me, how he’s tampered with my life.
And how uncovering his secret will impact this delicate relationship we’ve created.
Chapter Seventeen
Callum
She’ll have no secrets between us. The thought of her keeping information from me makes my blood boil. She’s been teaching me so much. One of those lessons has been that I have to put myself in others’ shoes, so to speak.
Not that I’d ever be caught dead in the pink gardening wellies she wears, but still…
I know what she means.
“No secrets,” I say.
Her voice is soft, but her gaze is steady. “Aye.”
