“No,” I say, smiling despite myself. “Because of Declan.”
“Stop it right now, Callie.” He takes my chin in his hand and tilts my head back so he can see my face. “Stop beating yourself up. Calm down and go back to sleep for a few hours.”
“Will you stay?” I ask, holding onto him like he’s a lifeline.
“Always, you know that.”
We both sigh as we cling to each other, and I feel him fall asleep, his chest moving rhythmically with each breath, and that makes my eyes heavy, and I follow him into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter Sixteen
Callie
I haven’t seen him at all since he walked me to my car Monday night. He’s called twice, and texted a couple of times, but that’s it.
He’s backing away, and I feel so powerless because there’s nothing I can do to stop it. He feels the way he feels, and that’s that. We have a standing dinner date on Wednesdays, so I’m looking forward to seeing him and really talking. It’s always been so easy to talk to him, this shouldn’t be any different. Is it going to suck? Yes. But damn it, this sucks too, and I’d rather have some answers.
I’m at the bar before noon to go over the books and to take a look at the space next door that just went up for sale. I’ve done well enough in the past three months that I am seriously considering an expansion. I’d like to add a dance floor and maybe even a full kitchen for a menu.
It’ll be expensive, and would require quite a renovation, which excites me. Adam arrives around one to look at the other space with me. I don’t say much to the realtor as we look, but I can picture it all perfectly in my mind.
It’s going to be badass.
When we say goodbye to the realtor and return to the bar, I turn and give Adam a wide smile. “I loved it.”
“It’s going to be a ton of work,” he says, returning my grin. “And I agree, it would be awesome. Can we afford it?”
“Here’s the thing.” We sit at one of the tables. “I don’t think I can afford it alone. I can probably get a loan, using the bar as collateral, but I’d rather not have to do that.”
“Callie, I have plenty of money,” Adam says. “I’m happy to loan it to you.”
“I don’t want a loan, Adam, I want a partner.”
He sits back and narrows his eyes. “A partner.”
“Absolutely. You’re just as invested in this place as I am. Probably more, actually.” I lick my lips and tuck my hair behind my ear. “I can’t run this place without you, and we already bounce ideas off of each other like partners. Let’s just make it official. I told you from the beginning, my dad should have left it to you.”
“Are you sure this is what you want? Absolutely positive?”
“I’m sure.” I nod and smile at my friend. “So, are you in?”
“I’m in.” We shake hands and then laugh, excited all over again. “Call the realtor chick and tell her she has a sale.”
I make the call, and she assures me that she’ll get the paperwork started right away. Just as I hang up with her, a text comes in from Declan.
I won’t be able to make it to dinner tonight. I’ll see you later.
And just like that, my bubble is burst. I sigh in disappointment, but before I can think on it too hard, my phone rings with a number from Denver.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Cal,” Keith says, making me raise a brow. “It’s good to hear your voice.”
“Okay,” I reply, not sure what else to say. “What’s up?”
“Well, I’d like to see you,” he says, and I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at it.
“Wait, you called Callie Mills. You know that, right?”
“You’re exactly who I meant to call, Callie,” he says, a smile in his voice. “I know it’s been a few months.”
“It’s been eight months,” I reply. “And I don’t have time for this.”
“I’ll come to you,” he says. “I know you’re busy with the business. I don’t expect you to clear your schedule for a trip.”
“How kind of you,” I reply and roll my eyes. “But the answer is still no, Keith.”