“How was your flight?”
“Long. And I was sandwiched between two huge guys. I’m all for arm porn, but not on a long flight. I need my space.”
One of his hands is resting on the table, and it clenches as I say that, before reaching for his whisky. He throws some back. “Tell me about the last eight months. What have you been up to?”
“Pretty much just work and writing.”
“What do you do in your spare time?”
Clearly not guys.
“Not much really. I’ve gone out a little bit, seen some sights and met a few people, but mostly I’ve been writing heaps. I’ve almost finished writing two books. How about you?”
“Work and Sean keep me busy.”
I want to desperately ask him if he’s been seeing anyone. Avery’s told me he hasn’t, but maybe she just doesn’t know. I don’t ask him. Instead, I say, “Your mum sounds really happy. I love that.”
“I think this guy might actually last the distance.”
“Why?”
“Because he doesn’t put up with too much of her shit. He’s pulled her into line.”
I purse my lips. “See, why do you say it like that?”
“Like what?”
“When you say he’s pulled her into line, it insinuates she needed someone to do that for her. I don’t see her that way.”
“How do you see her, Callie?”
“I know your mum let you down when you were growing up, and she’s admitted that to me also. But I see her trying. And I absolutely adore her love for life and for love. She’s just trying to find someone to love her unconditionally, Luke. So what if she’s a little unconventional in her approach? Why does she need to be pulled into any kind of line?”
He thinks about what I say, but in the end, I don’t convince him. “I don’t understand her need for constant male attention. I never have. But George seems to be a man who does understand it. He humours her.”
“Well, let’s not forget, you also don’t understand the need to get married.”
“I’ve reconsidered my view on that,” he murmurs.
“I’m glad. Mostly because I figure that means you’ve moved past your hurt, and that was all I wanted for you. I’m so glad to see you happy, Luke. You seem more at peace with life.”
He rubs the pad of his thumb over the rim of his glass. “I’ve made peace with most things in my life. I’ve still got a way to go with others.” I can’t help but feel he’s talking about me.
“Hopefully, time will help,” I say softly.
He stares at me. “Hopefully, it won’t need to.”
My tummy flutters, but maybe I’m misunderstanding his meaning.
The waiter brings our food and effectively ends that conversation. After he leaves, we discuss the fact I haven’t eaten good Aussie food in ages and then just never return to the previous topic. I devour my steak and salad. So good. I’ve loved sampling the food in the States, but there’s nothing like coming home and eating the food you grew up with.
We decide against dessert because I’ve spent most of dinner yawning. I’m exhausted from the flight and sleep beckons so we make our way upstairs.
Luke’s eyes find mine as I unlock the door to my room. “Sleep well, baby.”
Baby.
I’ve missed hearing that word from Luke’s mouth.
“Thank you for dinner.”
His gaze dips to my mouth and my breathing slows. The time passes just as slowly while I wait to see what he does. A couple pass us, laughing loudly, pulling us out of the moment, and his eyes find mine again. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The only thing that stops disappointment filling me completely is the fact he presses his lips to my forehead and lays a kiss there before he leaves.
46
Callie
I wake the next day to a knock on my door. I pull the covers over my head and do my best to ignore it. It’s probably housekeeping. However, the knocking only gets louder and then Luke calls out, “Callie, you in there?”
I quickly check my phone for the time.
It’s just after eleven.
Jesus, I slept a lot of hours.
“I have coffee,” he continues.
Sold.
I shove the covers off and pad to the door. I don’t even care that my hair is probably a sight and that I never took my make-up off last night. I also push out of my mind that I’m wearing nothing but a sheer babydoll that barely covers my ass.
I need coffee.
He hands over the coffee when I open the door. “You just wake up?”
I nod and usher him in. “Yeah. Guess I was tired.” I take a sip of coffee. “Damn, this coffee is good. I owe you.”
He grins. “I’ll take lunch as payment.”
“You want me to buy you lunch?”
“No. I’m buying you lunch. I found a little Thai restaurant you might love.”