“You know Calla. She takes no shit from those guys, not anymore. She paid them a visit and threatened to prosecute anyone who didn’t bugger off our property within an hour,and if they reported anything, she would take them to the cleaners.”
“Your wife scares the shit out of me.” I laugh.
“Nah, she’s a pussycat.” Ash winks. “Talking of which, she wants a word. She’s waiting for you in the kitchen.
I rub the back of my neck. “Any idea what Cal wants with me?”
“I don’t know, but she’s mad.”
“With me?” I point my finger to my chest.
His slow nod is a warning sign. “I don’t know what to tell you. You’ve obviously pissed her off somehow.”
“What’s up? You scared?” Max sniggers. “Does Tommy want me to hold his hand?”
“Fuck off.” I grin, giving him the finger. “I’ll be back soon.” I stalk off with more confidence than I feel and my stomach rolls a little. There’s no reason for me to be nervous. Except I am. This is the first time I’ve been on my own with Calla since their family arrived home a few days ago.
Calla is placing tiny cupcakes on a plate as I walk into the kitchen.
“Hey.” I lift my chin in her direction and she greets me with a hug.
“Hi, Tommy. I didn’t mean to disturb your practice,” she says, pulling back and smiling. “I just wanted to drop these cakes off. The kids have been busy again.”
“It’s okay.” I flicker a smile her way, knowing her visit involves more than cupcakes “Do you want a drink or anything?” I point with my thumb to the fridge behind me.
“No. I’m fine, thanks. I won’t stay long.” She smiles again.
Whatever it is that’s bothering her can’t be that bad. She seems fine.
My hands slip into the pockets of my jeans. “So, I hear you’re mad at me, but I’m not sure what I’ve done.”
Her eyes narrow. “Who told you that?” Then she raises her hand. “No. Don’t tell me. It was my husband, wasn’t it?” She grins. “He’s winding you up, Tommy. You can relax.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “What a dick.”
Calla folds her arms and smirks. “Am I that scary?”
“Not at all.” I chuckle. “But I thought I was in for a lecture about how to treat your best friend.”
“I’m not here to lecture you, Tommy, but I have come here to make a suggestion.”
“Okay,” I reply, sitting down at the kitchen island while reaching for a cupcake.
“I think you should move in with her.”
What the hell? I nearly fall off my stool. “Whoa, Cal. What brought that on?”
“All this keeping a low-profile business is just crap.”
“So, she told you our plans?”
Calla raises her brows. “She had to. I’ve hardly seen you two together and I was worried about both of you.”
“We’re good. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“So I hear, but I don’t see why you can’t nip the whole thing in the bud. Chelsea cheated on you, not the other way around. There’s no shame in your relationship with Angie. You’re together. Tell the world.”
I sigh. “I’m sure it’s not what Angie wants right now.”
