"Are you sure?"asked Reaves.
She laughed."They're made to go outdoors.That's where your dad's going to put them, isn't it?"
"Oh yeah, right."
She smiled."I appreciate you wanting to be careful with them, but they're not delicate.They can handle whatever the weather throws at them, and a lot more besides."
"I'll start loading them, then," said Reaves, seeming a little surprised as he lifted one."You weren't joking when you said they're heavy, were you?"
Callie chuckled."I guess not, but if I can lift them, you should be okay."
Reaves laughed with her."I'm not complaining.Just surprised."
With that, he headed out the door to the truck.
Ollie went to Callie and touched her arm."You know, now that I've felt the weight of these things, I think we should definitely leave a couple behind."
She gave him a wry smile."You don't have to if you don't want to, you know.I'm not going to ghost you or anything.You don't need the glazes as an excuse to come back."
"That's good to know.But I think I'll leave a couple anyway."
"Okay."
He'd been hoping for a moment alone with her, but she bent down to pick one up, saying, "We should get them loaded up."
Once there were seven of them in the bed of the truck, Reaves grabbed one more and said, "I'll take this last one.You two should check if there's anything else in here that needs to come."
As the door closed behind him, Ollie went to Callie and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I was about to follow him out there," she said, "but he's just trying to give us a minute, isn't he?"
"He is."He dropped a kiss on her lips."Trouble is, I want so much more than a minute.Can we figure out right now when we can see each other again?"
He held his breath when she worried at her bottom lip.
"I don't mind if you can't do it soon," he added."I'm not trying to rush you.Just trying to get a commitment."
Her gaze flew up to meet his.
"Shit, I didn't mean that how it sounded.Although..."He lifted a shoulder."Maybe I do.Just, you know, a commitment to see where this thing between us might go."
She raised her eyebrows."You think there's a thing between us?"
He nodded solemnly."I don't just think so, Callie.I know so.And I think you do too, if you're honest."
She inhaled deeply, then let it out slowly."I'm not going to lie to you.I think there might be.But..."Her gaze slid away before coming back to meet his."I told you things have been weird around here since I got back.That might go on for a little while, but hopefully not too much longer."
His heart started to pound, wondering what exactly she was talking about."Anything I need to worry about?"
"No, it's nothing for you to worry about, I promise.Just some stuff I need to take care of."
A shiver ran down his spine when she traced her fingers over the back of his head."But you know what?No matter how long it takes to sort things out here, I could come and see you.In fact, I promised Becca that I'd come visit when they get back from their honeymoon.Maybe..."
"Sure."He tried to sound more enthusiastic than he felt.
"Unless you don't want me to?"she asked, looking a little puzzled.
"You know I do.It's just — that's another whole week away."
