"It was fantastic," she agreed."Everything a girl could ever want."
"Even a girl like you?"Becca asked.
"Oh, hell no.Don't look at me like that."
"I seem to remember you were the one who caught my bouquet."
"I did, but not on purpose.And remember, I moved out here to escape the whole having-to-get-married-and-have-kids thing.My life's finally my own.Why would I sign it away to someone else now?"
Becca's face fell."No, it's not like that.Getting married isn't signing your life away.It's joining it with someone else's.Someone you love."She sat back against the cushions on the sofa."But sorry, that's just me — all lovey-dovey and newlywed.Are you and Ollie just having a fling?I shouldn't be imposing my silly romantic ideals on you, should I?"
"That's not what you're doing," said Callie, "and I know it.And..."
She inhaled deeply before blowing it out slowly.
"If you want to know the truth, I'm hoping that whatever's going on between Ollie and me might turn into something...real.I mean, hell no, I'm not talking about marriage or anything like that, but—"
Becca leaned forward eagerly."But like, something serious?Like you might move in with him?"
She frowned at that but then relaxed when she remembered his words.What he'd said when she told him that she wouldn't give up her cottage.
"Maybe he could move in with me."
Becca laughed but then caught herself when she realized Callie was serious.
"You mean it?"she asked.
"Yeah, why not?He's been to the cottage.He likes it.I mean, I doubt he'd give up his whole big fancy estate and move up there with me, but we could split our time."
She smiled, liking the idea — until she remembered that it was way, way too soon to be talking about anything of the kind.
~ ~ ~
When they landed the jet back at the DuPont estate, Ollie left Reaves in the cockpit while he went out to open the door and let the steps down for Willow.She was already up from her seat and greeted him with a smile.
"Are you going to see Callie this evening?"
He rolled his eyes at her."I hope so, but I don't know yet.I'm going to call her and see how things are going."
"You should talk her into staying."
He raised his eyebrows, and she laughed."Okay, so maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, but I only mean until Saturday night.Everyone's going to Muse.You're coming, aren't you?"
"I don't know yet.It'll depend how things go with Callie this evening.If she needs to drive home, I could maybe talk her into letting me go pick her up on Saturday."
"That's crazy," said Willow."Just get her to stay with you."
He let out a short laugh."It's not that easy."
"Why not?"
"She hasn't even seen my place yet."
"So?What difference does that make?"
He blew out a sigh."I wasn't exactly upfront with her about who I was in the beginning."
"Shit.Why not, Ollie?"
