Now she's here with Callum, but he's not even looking at her. He's not checking her out. There's no lingering on her assets. There's nothing but his focus on ringing up a book.
And that? Well, that steadies me, soothes the anxieties building, and gives me a huge boost of confidence.
Because Callum ismine.
He's the one who practically begged me to claim him as mine. Only mine.
And I'm his. Only his.
No one will get in the way of that.
I'm not scared, I'm not intimidated. I've taken hit after hit, and I've gotten up every time and kept moving forward. I've lost my hair, I've lost weight, I'm losing my breasts, I have cancer, andI'm still here.
Elise is nothing compared to what I'm going through. She's nothing more than an annoyance that I'm going to deal with.
Right now.
Straightening my spine, lifting my chin, I take a deep breath and pull open the door as the bell signals my arrival.
And my Callum—my gentle giant—looks up and his face lights up like a Christmas tree.
"Sophie," he breathes, his voice almost relieved-sounding.
Elise's face falls slightly at his tone, perfect brows furrowing in confusion as she watches Callum stride right over to me. The smile blooming across his face fills me with such an intense joy, surging even more confidence through me. I can feel my back straightening as I meet Elise's gaze.
At this moment, it's clear as day—he's choosing me. He's choosing to give me all his attention, his affection, and himself.
I love you, I love you, I love you...
When he's finally in front of me, I tear my eyes from Elise. Looking up at him, I match his smile as his warm hands cup my face, thumbs brushing my cheeks. "Hi, sweet girl."
"Hi," I whisper, the nickname making me feel a little giddy, before I reach up to the wig—the surprise I talked about. "Does... it look okay?"
"It looks so much like your hair," Callum says, his voice reverent as he looks at it. "Wow, this looks perfect."
"Bailey picked it out," I shrug, suddenly feeling a little shy under his heated look. "Tonya tried to get me to do fun colors, but I just wanted one that made me look like me."
"So, one that makes you look like the most beautiful girl in the world?"
I have to lock my knees, so I don't completely swoon and fall over. The way he says these things, like it’s just the truth to him, makes my eyes and nose sting, the threat of tears imminent. No way will I allow myself to cry in front of her. Instead, I do what comes most naturally with Callum—I beam.
But then the elephant in the room is demanding that Iaddress it. Elise's stare burns into me, her energy spoiling the air. Courage floods me—from Callum's words and his presence—and I turn to Elise.
"What are you doing here?"
Callum frowns at the edge in my voice and glances back and forth between us, "Baby?"
I don't take my eyes off Elise, who just smirks at me and speaks to me like she's talking to a toddler. "What does it look like I'm doing, Sophie?" she purrs. I might have been naive then, but I'm not now, and I am not stupid. "Buying a book in this lovely little store.Callum and Iwere just getting properly acquainted."
The emphasis onCallum and Imakes me sick, but I don't falter. Callum's frown deepens at her words and turns toward her. "You know her?" he asks me.
The smile on my face is not friendly as I cross my arms—take-no-shit-bad-bitch-stance, Tess would be so proud of me. Tonya too.
"Callum, meet Elise."
That'sallI have to say. He knows everything that happened—about Paul, about Elise, about the betrayal. Every bit of softness on his face has completely melted.
Callum's face is stormy, angrier than I've ever seen him,"Elise?"
