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He shook his head and took a deep breath. Skye whimpered and dragged me into the street to Cal.
“Hey,” I said, putting my hand on his arm. “Talk to me.”
He turned to face me, his eyes searching mine. “I’m not ready for this to be over.”
My heart pounded in my chest. “This” was everything to me, but I still didn’t know what it meant for Cal. “Me either,” I said, and all the tension seemed to leave his body at once.
“I know DC is a drive, but we could meet halfway some weekends,” he said. “Maybe take turns driving the whole trip.”
I shook my head. Our time apart had taught me I couldn’t do casual, at least not with Cal. Even if I was staying in Peace Falls, I couldn’t fall back in his bed unless he wanted more than my body.
“Ok,” he said, pacing back and forth. “I could join a practice in Northern Virginia. It might take a while, but I’m sure I could find one.”
“You’d move for me?” I asked, my chest filling with warmth.
He stopped and grabbed my hands. “If that’s the only way I could have you, yeah.”
“Sounds like a lot of effort for a casual hookup,” I said, taking a step back from him.
His face fell. “I’m messing this up. When I said I don’t want this to end, I meant I want more, not more of the same. You said you cared for me. I hope that’s still true because I’m in love with you.”
I was so startled I dropped Skye’s leash and fumbled to grab it. “I’m sorry,” I said, blowing out a breath. “It’s kind of hard for me to believe you. Words are just words.”
Cal nodded. “You’re right. Which is why I’m asking for the opportunity to prove to you they’re true.”
“By moving to Northern Virginia?”
“If that’s what it takes,” he said.
“You’d leave your job, your family, and your friends for someone you just started seeing?”
“Not someone,” he said, putting his hand on my face. “You. The most beautiful, kind, funny woman I’ve ever met. The person I want to hold every night, and the one I think about all day long. You’re it for me, Rowan. I feel it. I understand you may need more time, and that’s ok. That’s all I want. A chance to prove that what I’m feeling is real.”
“You’re Caleb Cardoso.”
“And you’re Rowan Stevens,” he said, raising an eyebrow at me. “Sorry, I refuse to call you by the asshole’s last name. I hope you plan to change it back.”
I nodded.
“So, Rowan Stevens,” he said, stepping close. “When do we leave?”
“Um, never,” I said.
He stepped back. “I’m sorry,” he said, his eyes sad. “I shouldn’t have put you in this position, especially when you were kind enough to keep seeing me professionally. Forget I said anything.”
“No, Cal,” I said, rising on my toes to wrap my arms around his neck. “I just meant I’m not moving to DC. I’m staying in Peace Falls. Poppy and I are going to open a bakery together.”
He rested his head on my shoulder and pulled me close. “Thank God. I hate NoVa. The traffic is a nightmare.”
I giggled. “Yeah, that alone makes me believe you a little.”
“Both of you have rooms nearby,” Principal Twillings shouted. “Stop canoodling in the street.”
“Lay off them, Twill,” Mrs. Adams yelled from her own porch. “Just because you’re a dried-up old fart doesn’t mean the rest of us don’t appreciate a good show.”
I glanced around. The neighbors had gathered to watch us, including my entire family, who were standing on the sidewalk in front of our house for a better view.
“Kiss her already,” Poppy shouted, wearing nothing but the oversized shirt she’d slept in. “I have shit to do.”
