Page 88 of Something Borrowed

Even though it was only three sentences, it felt like a speech. A terrifying speech.

Cal took her face gently in both hands and stared into her eyes. “You don’t need to tell me a thing. I know who you are now. That’s what’s important—and who we are going forward, that’s important. The past doesn’t define us.”

It was a lovely sentiment. And maybe it was even partially true. The past doesn’t define us, but it does shape who we become, especially until we’re aware of its power and actively choose to let it continue to mold us—or not.

“I—”

“Shhh,” Cal said, then kissed her again. “I know you,” he repeated.

She could feel Angel shaking her head. He means well, but he’s not right—not in this.

Devil scoffed. Why can’t you ever just be happy? Why do you always want to wreck things? And who are you to tell someone else what they need to know? The ego on you.

Was that true? Was it arrogant to think she knew more about what Cal needed than he did?

“Nothing could change my growing feelings for you, Vic,” Cal said into her hair. “And I’m tired of dwelling on the past, instead of looking ahead to what might be next.”

That clinched it. Maybe it was selfish of her to even want to share. Maybe she was looking for exoneration from him and that was unfair. Also, she was the one who needed to forgive herself—and let go and just keep doing things differently going forward.

“Okay then.” She lifted her face to him again.

“Yes, okay then,” he said against her mouth, and she could feel his smile.

All too soon, he was asking if she wanted to watch the ball drop on TV or to count it down themselves. She blinked. How could it be the cusp of midnight already?

“The hours we spend together disappear, don’t they?” he asked, reading her mind.

She smiled and nodded.

He got up from the couch and returned moments later with the champagne flutes from the table and a bottle so cold it steamed lightly in the warm room.

“Let’s count down ourselves,” Vic decided as he poured them both generous servings of bubbly.

“Agreed.”

“And let’s both make a silent wish right on the dot of midnight.”

“I love it.”

Cal set his phone face up on the coffee table with the clock app open. They both watched it till there were only eleven seconds left. In unison, they looked up, locked eyes, and Cal took her free hand. Vic’s heart jumped in her chest. The expression on his face, the warmth in his gaze. Had anyone ever looked at her with such transparent affection before? They chanted down from ten together.

One. Without saying a word to sync themselves, they both closed their eyes.

When Vic opened her eyes, she felt a bit teary. Her wish had been so simple. Please let this be real this time. Please let the feelings we both seem to have be true.

Chapter 42

The first day back at the office felt different. And not because of all his new feelings for Vic. Because Carrie dropped a bomb at 8:35 am.

“You couldn’t have waited till I had my first cup of coffee in me?”

“Nope, sorry, bro. I couldn’t even wait until I’d had my first.” As if to prove her point, Carrie sipped from her mug and let out a contented “Ahhhh.”

Cal shook his head. “It’s all well and good for you to be making all-is-right-with-the-world sounds as you slurp, and I am happy for you. That goes without saying. But I’m sad for myself—and that’s the mother of all understatements.”

Carrie nodded. “I’m going to miss you too. And this.” She motioned around their small office. “I really appreciate you giving me the job when I so desperately needed one and for being my rock, just the way you always were when we were kids. But this is the right move for me. I’m ready now.”

Cal had always suspected the day would come when Carrie was ready to move back to her old life and the place she’d lived all her years as a wife and mother raising her kids. He just hadn’t expected it now. He thought they’d have another year or two.