He meets my stare. “Lots.” His fingers brush mine as he takes a wet glass from me. “Most of them include you.”
I can’t help but grin. “Funny, most of mine include you.”
“Mam said we were joined at the hip,” Callan says.
“I think she was right.”
Callan’s smile falters. “I wish things had been different. I wish we could have added more happy memories until we had too many to count.”
“Can’t we do that now?”
Callan dips his gaze. “I’d like that.” He gnaws his lower lip. “Do you think we could make enough to drown out the bad ones?”
I go from giddy-happy to having my heart stuck in my throat. “I don’t know, Cal.”
He shakes his head. “Ignore me. It was a daft thing to say.”
“It wasn’t.”
He sighs. “I should go.”
“Back to Niamh’s?”
He nods.
“She must be thrilled that you’re staying.”
“I haven’t told her yet.”
I gape at him. “Why not?”
“Because nothing’s set in stone. What if I can’t find work or somewhere affordable to live?”
“Do you have to work for someone else? Plenty of electricians are self-employed.”
Callan grimaces. “I’m not sure I want the uncertainty or the headache of figuring out all the tax stuff. Plus, I’d need to promote myself and—” He shakes his head.
“It just so happens I live with someone who’s a dab hand at marketing.”
Callan tilts his head. “You do?”
“Yes. You’ve met him. Preston. Admittedly he promotes children’s books, but he’s also been helping promote the My Kinky Housemate app. I think he could help you out.”
“I—”
“Can’t?”
Callan nods.
“Yes. You can. If you want to stay, we’ll make it happen.” I squeeze his shoulder. I want to tell him I’ll make it happen single-handedly if I need to. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re not alone, Cal.”
He sways as tears well in his eyes. I keep my hand firmly on his shoulder, bracing him.
“You’re still my protector,” he whispers. “After all this time.”
I put my arms around him. The hug is awkward at first. Callan immediately tenses. But as I hold him tight, he relaxes and wraps his arms around me. I can feel his heartbeat and the warmth of his breath on my neck. It’s been so long since we’ve been this close. I want to bury my nose in his hair and inhale his scent. I want to hold him in a way that makes him believe everything will be okay.
I let him go and step away.
