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“It did. Aiden joined us. He’s going to work with Chris on the days I can’t.”
“That’s really nice of him.”
Cal started laughing, the deep, rich sound sending ripples of some emotion through my body. Lust. Longing. The feeling strong and indescribable. “Oh, yeah. Theo hates you right now.”
I felt a smile tug at my lips. Cal might pretend not to care, but he’d been texting Theo while we talked.
“I should have come inside with Chris. I clearly missed out on that monkey bread.”
“I’ll make it for you anytime.”
“How about tomorrow?”
I laughed. “I could probably fit that into my schedule.”
“Could you fit a picnic in as well? Eating one. Not making it.”
“Caleb Cardoso, are you asking me out?”
He paused a moment and my cheeks heated. Maybe he had a work event he needed to attend and thought it’d be smart to bring a patient who hadn’t bashed him online. Or a church picnic. He didn’t strike me as particularly devout, but maybe he was one of those evangelical types that was encouraged to bring a friend to Sunday service. Then again, those people typically didn’t have hot, no-strings sex.
“I am,” he said, so quietly I almost didn’t hear him.
“Oh, ok,” I said, suddenly nervous. “Well, in that case, I might make something else. Monkey bread is really sticky. Too sticky for a picnic. It would draw in ants, and we don’t want that.”
Cal chuckled. “No, we do not. I’m sure whatever you bring will be delicious.”
His voice had dropped to a sexy timbre as he spoke, and my stomach flipped.
“How’s eleven, tomorrow?” he asked, returning to his normal tone.
“Sounds good,” I said, suddenly very warm. I needed to stop panting before my brother came back. “Bye.”
I ended the call before he had a chance to say anything else.
“Did you tell him you’re leaving?”
I glanced over my shoulder and found Chris standing in the kitchen doorway, his hair still damp from the shower. “I texted Pop to make sure she was ok, and she filled me in. So, does Cal know? It’s pretty shitty either way. Either you told him before you told me, or you’re going out with him when you know it can’t last more than a couple weeks.”
“Chris—”
“And don’t tell me it’s none of my business, Ann. You’re my family. Both you and Cal. I don’t want to see either of you get hurt.” He stopped and shook his head.
I opened my arms. He crossed the kitchen and wrapped me in a tight hug. “I didn’t tell him or you about the job offer because I haven’t seen it yet. I honestly don’t know if I want to take it. Cal knows I plan to move from Peace Falls as soon as I find a job. I promise, I’d never do anything to jeopardize your friendship with him.”
Chris pulled away. “DC sucks. There’s nothing but traffic and politics and assholes like Brad. Plus, if you stay in Peace Falls, you can come to all my games this fall.”
“Noted,” I said, giving his back a pat. “But you have to make the team first. Let’s plan some meals. But not here. If I have to sit in those wooden chairs, I might cry.”
He grabbed a notepad and a pen as I settled on the couch. For the next hour we looked up recipes and made a grocery list. The whole time, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I’d enjoyed being with my family and Lauren since I’d been back, and how much I’d miss them if I left. I did my best not to think about Cal.It was too soon to tell if he’d be something to keep me here or the push I might need to leave.
Chapter twenty-one
Cal
Rowan answered the doorin a little blue sundress that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her hair was down in long waves again, framing her beautiful face.
“Wow,” I said, leaning in to kiss her soft cheek. “You look amazing, but I screwed up.”
