Her eyes sparkled as she looked up into his."I may not let you go either.I've been thinking about that.I can stay here with you sometimes.You can come home with me sometimes.It's not where we are that matters — it's about not letting each other go.Isn't it?"
He nodded."Yep."He tapped the middle of her chest before tapping his own."This.Us.That's what matters.Not where we are.We both have lives.They both count.We just have to figure out how to live them together."
Her arms tightened around his waist."Yeah.That's what I want, Ollie."
"Me too.I love you, Callie."
"I love you, too."She rolled up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips.He couldn't resist taking it deeper, pouring everything he felt into it.But then he pulled back before he wanted to, and she laughed.
"I know we need to go say hi to everyone, but you're going to owe me more of that when we get back to your place."
He wrapped his arm around her."I'll be happy to deliver kisses and so much more when we get home."
She glanced up at him, and he held her gaze.She didn't question the wordhome.And he could see in her eyes that she was happy for him to use it.
"Come say hi to everyone."
She started toward the back of her truck."I should get the glazes—"
But he took her hand."Come say hi to everyone first.Reaves and I can carry them out when you're ready.But Zia's dying to see you.And Charles is too."
As soon as they rounded the side of the house, a little squeal rang out.
"Sunshine Queen!There you are!"
Callie squatted down to greet Zia with a hug.And it was only then that Ollie realized she'd greeted him as Sunshine King.Not Secret King anymore.He loved it.
Charles grinned at him as Zia and Callie caught up with each other.The dogs stood back, even though they were obviously impatient to greet Callie themselves.
When she straightened up, Zia pointed at them."I know Peanut and Butter now.They're my new friends."
Callie grinned."They're my new friends too.Aren't they wonderful?"
Zia nodded solemnly."They're the best doggos in the world.I'm going to have a doggo of my own one day."
Ollie glanced at Charles, who gave him a wry smile, but didn't get the chance to comment before Zia spotted her mom and Reaves coming out from the drawing room.
"Look, Mom!Sunshine Queen's here.And Sunshine King.And Peanut and Butter too."
Ollie was disappointed to see that Alara still didn't look any better.She was pale with dark circles under her eyes.And he knew damn well that since she and Zia had come to stay here with Charles, she was getting all the rest and good food she needed.He decided there and then that they had to get her to a doctor, no matter what.
Callie went straight to her and wrapped her in a hug."It's so good to see you.How are you?"
Alara smiled and nodded and put on a brave face.
Ollie chuckled as Charles removed the sticker from his cheek and gave him a rueful smile.
"Are you doing well, Charles?"
"Never been better."
And from the look of him, it was true.Ollie didn't think he'd ever seen him this animated.
"How are things going with Delaney?"
Charles nodded."Much better than I feared.She certainly knows what she's doing.And now that she's on board, I'm hopeful.Thanks, Ollie."
"Don't mention it."
