She was quiet for a few moments, and he worried that he shouldn't have said it.But he relaxed when she said, "You're right.I shouldn't."Then she laughed."And I'll remind you of that when they claim you as their own."
A rush of warmth filled his chest.He loved the idea of becoming part of a family like hers.
"I'd like that," he said quietly.
"Good."She paused."Now you do the same."
"What do you mean?"
"Your dad, Ollie.He's been texting you."
He was quiet for a moment.She wasn't wrong.He'd been swiping those notifications away for weeks.
"Yeah," he said finally."I know.I will."
"Okay."Her voice was soft — not pushing, just letting him know she saw him."I should let you get some sleep.Big meeting tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah.And you've got a long drive."
"I'll text you when I leave Charles's place."
"I'll be counting the minutes."
She laughed."Me too."
"If we can get out of the meeting early enough, I’ll come to Charles’s with Reaves and meet you there."
"I hope you can."She yawned."Goodnight, Ollie.Love you."
"Love you too, Callie.Night."
After he hung up, he sat there for a long moment, the dogs warm against his sides.Rosa's words from earlier rang in his mind — about marriage, about not waiting for someday.
He hadn't thought he wanted to get married.But that was before he knew Callie.
He looked down at his phone; maybe it was time to check in with his dad, too.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ollie checked his watch when he arrived at Rosa's cottage to get the dogs on Friday afternoon.The scheduling meeting had finished early.He grinned.He owed Willow one — she hated those meetings as much as he did.They seemed pointless to him, since all he and Reaves really needed was a text to let them know who was flying where and when.
Since they'd gotten out much earlier than expected, Reaves had gone straight to his dad's, and Ollie had said he'd meet him there after he came to get the dogs.He'd still arrive in plenty of time before Callie did, and Reaves had been saying for a while that Zia wanted to meet Peanut and Butter.
Rosa came out with the dogs at her side, since he'd texted ahead to let her know he was coming and would be in a hurry.She grinned as she opened the gate, and the dogs ran straight to him, jumping into the back of the Cullinan as soon as he opened it.
"I won't keep you," she said, "but be sure to bring Callie by this weekend.I'd like to get to know her better.I like her already."
"I told Luigi that you guys should come up to the house."
She smiled."And we will, but you should be the one to figure out when it suits you.Get along, and we'll see you soon."She leaned in to kiss his cheek."I know you don't want to hear this right now, but I spoke to your father last night.He wants to know that you're okay."
Ollie made a face."Sorry — he's only following up with you because I haven't answered him."
"I know.Please text him, Ollie.Or better yet, call him.He loves you, you know."
Ollie just shrugged.After Callie had reminded him last night, he'd already decided he'd have to call his dad soon — but it was far from his top priority this weekend.
On the way to Charles's, he checked on the dogs in the rearview mirror."You guys have to be good, okay?I don't think Zia will be afraid of you, but she's a small person.No knocking her over."
