At first, I was bemused by the fierceness with which she attacked me. Callie had always been competitive (we both had), but this was different. I sensed from the moment she walked into the class that she was raging at me. I just had no idea what I’d done now. Then to swipe me with a move that wasn’t even allowed in tae kwon do and walk out like she didn’t care? It was out of character. As was not answering my calls or texts, or even responding to my sister once I enlisted Eilidh’s help.
I assumed turning up at her house was a bad idea too.
Then Carianne called me as I was attempting and failing to fall asleep.
Apparently, she’d taken it upon herself to begin the “ruse” without my go-ahead. And Callie had basically told her to get the fuck out of her life. Now that might have reassured me Callie still had feelings for me, except Carianne was in a panic and wanted “to end the ruse” because she hadn’t expected Callie to be so cold or unforgiving.
It was then I understood what had happened in class.
I couldn’t believe Carianne. I would never hurt a woman, but I wanted to wring her bloody neck.
Because as I’d feared would happen, Callie hated me.
I’d felt it in her fight.
And seen it in her eyes.
I just hadn’t understood it until now.
Suffice it to say, Carianne and I had words about her taking it upon herself to tell Callie we were dating when we weren’t. She then acted affronted, as if this was all my fault, when I’d never once agreed to the pretense. I’d hung up on her.
Now I was skulking around Ardnoch, hoping to bump into Callie so I could explain. I was supposed to be working from home on my client’s Tain project, but I’d decided to grab lunch in town. I knew the bakery wasn’t open on a Tuesday, but Eilidh had mentioned Callie could still be found there practicing new recipes.
To make myself feel less like a stalker, I stopped in at the Gloaming to say hello to my uncle Arran. We chatted a bit about business and the twins, and then I made my excuses to leave. Deciding the best vantage point for the bakery was Flora’s (and aye, I was aware this made me seemmorelike a stalker and I was not proud of myself), I strode toward it, stopping across the road as cars drove down Castle Street.
As the way cleared, Flora’s door opened and there she was.
Callie stepped out of the café, laughing. Looking so far from the vengeful woman she was last night. Then my heart fucking stopped as some bloke followed her out and took her hand.
Recognition hit.
I’d seen him in photos with Callie. It was the French ex-boyfriend.
What the fuck?
They strolled down the street and I found myself following, my heart thumping wildly. I felt sick. Panicked. Outraged.
When they stopped at the bus stop, I didn’t even care if Callie saw me. She was too busy, though, engrossed in the Frenchman. He turned and rested his hands on her hips, pulling her to him. Possessive fury burned like hellfire in my chest.
It boiled over as he bent his head and pressed a kiss to her lips.
It wasn’t a passionate kiss.
But it might as well have been.
I knew if I stayed around and watched any longer, I’d do something I’d regret. That we’d all regret. In all likelihood, I’d lose any chance of winning Callie back if I did what I wanted at that moment.
Nah. The appearance of Gabriel was merely a setback.
It didn’t mean I’d lost her.
I refused to believe that.
Even as anger at her roiled inside me.
Striding back to my bike, I got on it and waited. The bus to Inverness passed, most likely halted at the bus stop. Sure enough, Callie appeared a minute or so later in the distance, strolling alone toward the bakery.
Gabriel was gone.
