‘And I’m not changing mine.’ Kristen used her supervisor voice, which meant I was the lowly student and had to listen to her. ‘We’ll chat once you’re home and make the decision together.’
‘Fine.’ I stuck out my tongue, resisting saying there was absolutely no way I wasn’t jumping at the chance to come back here.
‘I can sense you’re thinking obstinate things, so I’m going to go.’
We said our goodbyes, and I flung my phone onto the cushion beside me. Two seconds passed while I buzzed with suppressed energy, before I stood. Tim and Albert leapt up, using their impressive empathy skills to ascertain serious shit was going down.
‘I get to stay,’ I half shouted, half sang. ‘I get to stay here with Callum. Callum, who is simply the best not-human I know. And I get to do epically awesome work. And I don’t have to leave forever.’
I climbed onto the sofa and did a jig. The goats joined me and hopped around.
‘I need to find Callum.’ I jumped off the sofa and out of the middle of a more hoof-heavy-than-anticipated dance party. ‘I need to tell him I can stay.’
I paused midway to the coat rack. ‘And tell him I love him.’
Wow. What a thing to do. I hadn’t said those words before to anyone besides Dad and Lukey. I’d thought I loved Kimberley, had thought I was falling in love with Mark, but they had nothing on Callum. This massive feeling in my chest, this overpowering joy that I didn’t have to leave him—this was love.
‘Follow me, goats,’ I commanded.
I tugged on my coat and boots. Tim and Albert ambled outside while I stood on the cabin’s threshold. This could be my home. I could stay here and do work I loved. Be with the man I adored.
‘Fuck yeah,’ I muttered as I closed the front door. ‘Right. Do either of you have any idea where Callum is?’
Tim wandered off to chew a patch of grass. Albert, however, took his mission seriously. He bleated, then hopped around the side of the cabin. With nothing else to go on, I followed him.
I was too amped up to stay still. Either I’d find Callum, or he’d use his wolfy powers to find me. And I’d tell him I loved him, and about the job. Then we’d hug, for the first time in the knowledge we wouldn’t have to one day let go.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CALLUM
Iheard Aster and the goat approaching before they came into view. Taking deep breaths, I eased onto my knees and wiped the tears off my face. By the time Aster bounded up the hill, I was on my feet, my face the blankest mask I could make it.
‘Callum.’ The way Aster said my name before he threw himself into my arms was infused with such joy. It broke my heart all over again. ‘I have news.’
‘I heard.’ My voice was flat. That, along with the stiff way I was holding myself, alerted Aster to the fact his news wouldn’t necessarily be good to me.
‘Aren’t you pleased?’ His face scrunched as he stepped back.
I swallowed. Even in the depths of my despair at the prospect of Aster leaving, I’d been determined I wouldn’t ruin this for him. My movements wooden, I squeezed his shoulder.
‘Of course I’m happy for you.’ I didn’t attempt to smile. It would look far too strange. ‘You’ll beincredible.’
Aster’s face hadn’t changed. ‘You don’t seem pleased. You’re doing the thing where you think you’re hiding how you’re feeling, but because you’re so closed down I know you’re feeling something super big.’ Aster entwined his fingers with mine. ‘Talk to me, Cal.’
I closed my eyes, biting down all the emotions threatening to overspill. ‘I’ll miss you when you’re gone.’
That was reasonable. Aster and I had grown close during his stay. He didn’t have to know how deeply he’d embedded in my heart for it to be understandable I would feel his absence.
‘Gone?’ Aster squeezed my hand. ‘I thought you said you heard? I don’t have to go. I can stay right here.’
I opened my eyes to stare at him. ‘What?’
Aster’s face cleared. ‘I’m guessing you heard the first job offer, then stopped listening?’
I nodded mutely.
‘Callum, the second one is so much better. You won’t believe it. Honestly.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I’m going to explain myself now. Use my words. Yeah.’
