I've witnessed how women check him out when we're outtogether—on the boardwalk, in the store, at restaurants, even in the hotel lobby earlier. He got a couple of looks from some incredibly beautiful, no doubt wealthy women.
He's objectively incredibly handsome—tall and broad with a smile that causes my heart to stutter. More than his looks, he's a successful business owner, holds deep respect for his mom and all the women in his life, is a great friend, and he's not afraid to be vulnerable. He's a total catch, and any woman on this earth would be lucky to hold his attention.
And yet, when we're out, and those women are looking at him, he's looking right atme.
Even when he didn't know I was there, watching when Elise was at the store, he didn't pay her any mind. Not until he found out that she hurt me. I can never doubt Callum, because his words and actions match.
Trust is a funny thing. Strong, yet fragile. It can take a long time to build, and can be broken in moments. Irreparably so.
But my trust in Callum is unshakable.
I grin at Callum's slightly glazed look and lift up the covers, patting the bed for him to hurry in. "I'm cold," I pout, and Callum smiles at the played-up pathetic tone of my voice.
"One minute, baby," he tells me before disappearing into the ensuite bathroom. When he emerges after a couple of minutes, he suddenly asks me, "Do you like baths?"
"Yeah, I love baths..." My voice tapers off on the last word because Callum's shirt is off and he's unbuttoning his jeans. Handsome, handsome man. I clear my throat and look back up at his rather smug-looking face, his chest puffed out a little. He doesn't say anything else, though, slips his jeans off, and I smile as he places the clothes in the laundry bag I brought with us, so we don't mix our dirty clothes with our clean clothesin our suitcase—I'm a particular but expert traveler, and my considerate man respects that.
He slides into bed, wearing just his boxers, and I look at him expectantly. "Any particular reason for that question?"
He blinks innocently. "Can't I just get to know what my otter likes?"
I narrow my eyes, and he just smiles.
"Alright then. Keep your secrets," I huff and turn my back to him, Callum immediately wrapping his big arms around me from behind and kissing my neck, melting me into giggles.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Sophie
"Almost done..." Sasha says, gently dusting my face with powder to set my makeup as I try not to fidget on the bathroom vanity bench.
When Bailey and Sasha had gotten here, Sasha had shaken Callum's hand and winked at me in approval as he helped her carry her bags of magic into the ensuite bathroom. Bailey demanded that Callum stay in the living room and get changed by seven sharp.
"Yes, General Banks, ma'am," Callum had saluted Bailey, kissing me quick and warm before leaving us to our girly chaos.
The butterflies in my stomach have become a wild storm since Sasha started my makeup. My hands tremble with restless energy, pink-tipped fingers twisting the robe ties and spinning my gold ring in nervous circles.
Bailey is applying a lotion that's making her skin glow from within. Her Hollywood-style curls are pinned to perfection, and her makeup is flawlessly applied by Sasha—featuring gold shimmer on her eyes, sculpted eyebrows, and a bold berry lip that complements her dress. She looks like she belongs in old Hollywood, the kind of beauty that can stop traffic.
"Bailey, you look incredible," I tell her, sincerely.
She beams and winks, "Just wait till Callum seesyou."
"And... done," Sasha says at last, setting down her powder brush and handing me the mirror. "What do you think?"
Sasha delivered exactly what I asked: glowy skin, dusty rose lips, light winged liner, my familiar lashes, and natural-lookingbrows. My wig is curled and pinned, framing my face and highlighting my shimmery shoulders.
I smile, "You're a miracle worker, Sasha."
"No miracles," Sasha says, tossing a piece of hair over her shoulder, looking satisfied with herself and her work. "I just have the most beautiful canvases to work with."
Bailey and I pull our dresses out of their garment bags, and I smile when I see mine. Right now, I feel a little like Cinderella—only with no curfew and a bigger and better Prince Charming.
Sasha assists Bailey and me with our dresses and zips them up for us.
Bailey's dress is a rich berry pink with a sweetheart neckline that showcases'the girls'in a very flattering way. The dress is absolutely stunning, with rhinestone detailing on the bodice that shimmers whenever Bailey moves. It clings to her waist, showing off her hourglass figure, and then gently tapers down to the floor with a high slit up the right side. The matching sky-high heels make her legs appear a mile long. For jewelry, she opted for gold pieces that adorn her neck and wrists, with her engagement ring glittering on her finger.
As for mine, it's a dusty rose color with an off-the-shoulder neckline. Ialmostopted for a high neckline to cover up my port, but then I figured that one place I could feel comfortable would be in a room full of people who have walked this same road in one way or another.
