My eyes widen, and I gasp in delight. "Ooh, let's add that to our movie night list too!"
"First one or second one?" he asks, with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes."
"Done and done," Callum grins as I take out my phone,adding those movies to our ever-growing list in my notes app.
The bell chimes with a new customer and catches Callum's attention.
"I'll be back," he whispers in his best Schwarzenegger-Terminator voice, and I snort a laugh as he walks off toward the couple who just entered.
I watch him walk over and greet them like they're old friends, asking them what they're looking for. Plot rams his head impatiently against my hand again, apparently his signal that I need to get back to petting him, which I do. But I can't tear my eyes off the sweet man who listens patiently and guides the customers over to a new story.
Maeve comes back over, carrying two plates of sliced banana bread. She hands me one and takes a bite from the other, "How are you doing, my dove?"
"I'm okay," I nod, my voice softer than I mean it to be, and I try to keep my smile in place. Maeve's perceptive gaze seems to see right through me. I take a bite of the bread and chew slowly. My stomach has been feeling more sensitive since I started chemo. "Hanging in there. I know it's going to get tough soon, but..."
"Tough roads are usually the most rewarding," Maeve nods sagely, placing her plate down on the register counter. "Has Callum told you about my William?"
"Yes," I say, offering Maeve a genuine smile. At the mention of her late husband, a dreamy fondness settles over her features, like she's been struck by Cupid's arrow. "Callum talks about him a lot. He sounds wonderful."
"I'm glad he talks to you about him," Maeve says, her smile soft and a little wistful. I keep my gaze on hers, eyes the same warm brown as Callum's. "I made mistakes after his dad passed. I was a mess after. I didn't really want to talk about him, and Ithink that really hurt Callum, because I was too busy burying my feelings to process. It was just so very sudden."
"I'm so sorry, Maeve," I whisper.
She smiles and gently pinches my cheek with a playfulness that eases the heaviness in the moment.
"I'm glad that he has you," Maeve says, her eyes sparkling with quiet pride as she glances over at her son. "I'm glad that you have each other."
"I'm lucky to have met him. He's..." I say softly, following her gaze to where Callum stands laughing with the older couple. Warmth spreads from my chest as I whisper the next part, "... so great."
"He's my son, so I'm biased, but I have to agree," Maeve laughs softly.
Callum must feel my eyes on him because he looks at me, and his smile only widens. I return his smile but glance to the floor, trying to hide my flushed cheeks.
"Don't be afraid to let him help, dove," Maeve murmurs suddenly, her tone soft but her words serious. "As I said, he's his father's son—he's steady and reliable. I am biased, but I also raised him to be a helper. Everyone needs help sometimes, but we worry so much about asking for it that we forget."
Maeve's hand gently squeezes my arm. "Needing people doesn't make you weak. It makes you human."
I look at Maeve, seeing how serious her expression is. She really wants me to understand her words, and I do. I have to trust that these people want to help me. That Callum wants to help me.
And I have to accept that I need them.
I need Callum.
"Okay," I nod.
"Okay," she grins, finishing up her banana bread. Maeve is pulled away by a customer who wants a tarot reading, so I hangat the front register, entertaining Plot with a feather toy. Callum walks back to the register with a small grin on his face.
"They're looking for a book series for their granddaughter. I showed themThe Baby-Sitters Club."
I squeal delighted, "Callum, I loved that series! Oh, she'llloveit. I don't even know the girl, but I know she'll love it. Tess hadallof the books, and I would sneak them from her room. She gave them to me when she left for the Army, and I would read them over and over, pretending I was in the club. I wanted to be a babysittersobad—"
Callum’s smile is wide and amused. I realize I’ve become too overexcited at the mention of my favorite childhood book series, bouncing on my feet and gesticulating with both hands. I shake my head at myself, a little sheepish, and a piece of hair falls in my face, "Sorry—"
"Don't apologize," Callum murmurs, reaching toward me, and his fingers gently push the fallen hair back. They're warm as they brush against my cheek and my ear, leaving a trail of tingles in their wake.
I freeze at the contact, eyes locking for a long moment as my heart speeds up in my chest. Suddenly, his hand is gone, and he shifts a little uncomfortably on his feet. I take another bite of my banana bread, hoping the awkward moment passes by.
