"I know, but your background is a big part of who you are, just like mine is for me.And my biggest worry now is that we might turn out to be just too different after all.Not you and me," she added hurriedly when he started to protest."I think you know how I feel about you.I'm hopeful.But if we're going to run into deal-breakers down the line, we should probably figure it out now."
He sighed and nodded."You're right, we should.And when I tell you about my background, I'll understand if you decide to walk away."
He looked so sad that she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight."I already googled you, Ollie.What I'm doing here is hoping you'll give me reasons to get past it."
The waves kept rolling in, patient and endless.
~ ~ ~
Ollie finally felt safe to wrap his arm around her shoulders as they continued to walk.He loved the beach here, loved that it was always so blustery, but there was a part of him that wanted to anchor her at his side, as if the crashing waves, the gusting wind — or worse, what he had to tell her — might carry her away from him.
"Okay, so if you already googled me, you know who my dad is.Where do you want me to start?What do you want to know?"
A strand of hair blew across her face, and her eyes seemed to shine as they looked up into his.
"I don't want to interrogate you, but I'd like to know more."She shrugged."Whatever you want to tell me, I guess."
He tightened his arm around her, knowing that was a lot of trust to place in him after he'd spent so much time avoiding telling her what he didn't want her to know.She squeezed her arm tighter around his waist, making him smile.
"It's up to you, but tell me something."
He chuckled."I'll tell you everything — that's easiest — but give me a clue where you want me to start."
She was quiet for a few moments before looking up at him again.When she spoke, her question hit him right in the chest.He should have known she wouldn't ask the same kind of questions that other people did.Most wanted to know what it was like to be the son of a famous director, whether he got to go to parties in Hollywood, whether he knew their favorite actor or actress.But no, Callie went with, "How did you cope?How did you and your dad cope after your mom left when you were so small?"
He shrugged."I don't really remember her.I wasn't all that young," he added hurriedly when he saw her puzzled look."It's just that I didn't see much of her even before she left.She was never interested in having a kid, apparently."
"Damn."
He smiled."Don't feel sorry for me."
"How can I not?You were just a little kid.You must have been about the same age as Zia is now."
That made him chuckle."Yeah, but I was nowhere near as bright as she is."
She laughed with him and slapped his arm."You know what I mean."
"Yeah, I do.And honestly, Callie, out of everything, my mom leaving was no big deal, I guess."
She frowned."So are you and your dad close?"
He let out a short, bitter laugh."Far from it."
"But you grew up in Napa, right?You said that you and Reaves met in kindergarten.You've known each other all your lives.Did your dad commute?"
He laughed again."Not much, no.He came back to the estate occasionally."
She narrowed her eyes."So, who looked after you?If your mom was gone and your dad was busy working, who...?"
The wind blew her hair wildly around her face, and he reached out to tuck a strand behind her ear.
"There was a whole string of nannies over the years, but mostly Rosa."
Her eyes widened."She was — she's your nanny?I mean, was your nanny."
He chuckled."No, Rosa was the cook when I was a kid.Eventually, she took on more and more responsibility until she was the one managing the entire household, including me."
"Ollie," she exclaimed, "you're not just a part of the household, you're hisson."
