Suddenly, Addison was squealing, and that's when I knew who rang the doorbell. I felt her before she even walked in the room. Her presence was all warmth and wildflowers, tied up in a bow of raspy laughter andhellos.
I sat frozen, my back to the entrance of the room, balling my fists in my lap. Across from me, Maxsmirked.
"Uh huh," he rumbled. "Saw that reaction a mileaway.”
I heard her shifting around behind me—the rustle of her jacket—the click of her shoes. The sounds crawled up my spine, nipping at the hairs on the nape of myneck.
“I don’t want to interrupt. I just wanted to give you these,” she said, handing Max a large manilaenvelope.
"Sit your ass down and stay for dinner. I made lasagna, and it'll be ready in five minutes," Laura said, pulling plates and silverware out of cabinets anddrawers.
“Oh, thank you, but I shouldgo.”
I was up instantly, rushing past her and blocking her way, bracing my hand on the counter so she couldn’tpass.
“You should stay,” I growled.I lost my damnmind.
Callie’s eyes widened as they traveled up my frame to find my glare looming in front of her. Steel gray eyes stared back at me, leveling me with theirintensity.
“You think I won’t go right through you?” shewarned.
I should have backed away, ended it right there and then, letting her leave. But Icouldn’t.
“I think you already have,” Iwhispered.
Her gaze dropped to the floor immediately. Her lower lip trembled, and the way she looked so vulnerable, for just the moment, caught me in the throat.Was she hurt?I'd hurt her in some way, and I didn't understandit.
"Addison misses you," I stammered, trying of think of something to make her stay. "She keeps asking foryou."
Addison came in then, dancing around her and grabbing hold of her hand. "Sit next to Riley and me andEmma!"
Callie’s expression was torn, but I knew she’d stay, she’d do anything to make Addison happy. She gave Addison a breathy little laugh and sighed. “Okay, Addison, okay.” She slid her arms out of her coat and hung it over the nearest chair. “Come on, then,” she said softly, taking my daughter’s hand. “Let’s help Laura set thetable.”
I watched her like a starving man; setting the table, laughing with Addison, tickling Ben, eating, and avoiding contact with me at all costs. I bet to everyone else around the table, I was an obvious droolingfool.
Over ice cream dessert, she shot her eyes up at me for a split second, and when she noticed I was already staring back, her cheeks darkened and her jaw locked down tight. She slowly took her napkin and wiped at her lips. Her eyes peeked up to mine oncemore.
“Stop it,” shewhispered.
“No,” I said, smilingback.
“Asshole,” she mouthed, without making asound.
Next to her, Addison sat with melted ice cream dripping down her chin and neck. As soon at Callie noticed the mess Addison had made, she grabbed some more napkins and gently cleaned her face. All I could do was watch as some other woman who wasn’t Sheri took care of our daughter better than she ever had. From the patience and giggles of the mess, taking a picture of how cute she looked, to her gentle touch against her cheeks, she was everything a mother shouldbe.
I wondered if Callie ever thought about it—her wanting a child so badly and couldn't have one, and Sheri, who got knocked up twice and couldn't bear to look at them without needing to get high. The thought made mesick.
Or was I the one who was sick? What if I was so hurt by the things Sheri did, I just selfishly replaced my feelings for Sheri with feelings for Callie? What if Sheri came back home happy and healthy and wanted her family together again? I watched Callie put dishes in the sink and dance around the kitchen with Addison and Max’sdaughters.
One of them started a conversation about some television show, and suddenly I felt like I was outside a fish bowl looking in. I wanted in the fish bowl. I wanted a happy family. I wanted to be part of thisone.
Callie eventually looked down at her phone and grabbed her coat. "I really need to get out of here." She wrapped her arms around Laura in a tight hug, and they stayed locked together for a few moments. "Thank you so much. Everything was delicious." Then she hugged the kids, giving Addison an extra-longsqueeze.
“I’ll walk you to your car,” my mouth said, as if possessed by some demonic horny teenager.What did I think would happen when I got her to thecar?
“No,” she laughed nervously, “you don’t have to dothat.”
“I know, but I’m going to,” I said, sliding out of my chair and helping her put her coaton.
