“I can’t do that to Seán.”
“It’s only talking, babe. If you tell Seán everything and explain you need answers to questions that have plagued you for years, he’ll understand.”
I snort out a laugh. “I really don’t think he will. You didn’t see him earlier. I’ve never seen him like that.” Sure, if other men look at me when we’re out, my fiancé doesn’t like it, but a well-placed glare usually fixes the problem, and he forgets all about them.
But not Callan.
He seems to trigger Seán, and I know it’s probably my fault for the things I’ve said and haven’t said.
“It’s not his decision,” Paige says. “It’s your life. You get to make the call, and if he’s trying to control it, then perhaps you need to ask yourself some difficult questions. He should trust you implicitly. You have never given him any reason not to. If the cards were reversed, would you stop him from finding the answers he’s desperately needed to finally draw a line under a past relationship? To truly heal and move forward?”
“I’d be jealous too,” I honestly admit.
“That’s not what I asked.”
Trust my lawyer best friend to constantly push me, but it’s done with the best of intentions. It’s what we do for one another. “I wouldn’t like it, him spending time with an ex, but I wouldn’t stop him if it’s what he needed to get closure because I…I trust him.”
“I’m so proud of you.” Paige’s voice wobbles with emotion. “Look how far you have come. I love you.”
“I love you too, and I couldn’t have done it without you or Seán. He’s resurrected my faith in love.”
“And he has nothing to fear. Neither do you. Go get your answers, babe. Clear the air with Callan. It will make it easier on both of you to work together and to move beyond the past.”
“I miss you already. You have to come visit soon. We have plenty of guest rooms because my fiancé is insane and he bought a six-bedroom house when there are only two of us.”
“Where can I find me a billionaire fiancée to buy me a mansion and pop a big ring on my finger?”
“Your queen is out there somewhere, and she’ll find you.” Through the window, I spy Seán’s car coming up the short driveway. “Seán’s home. I’ve got to go.”
“Call me after you speak with Callan.”
“Of course.”
I hang up and walk to the kitchen to serve dinner.
“Something smells delicious,” Seán says, coming into the kitchen.
“I made beef stroganoff.”
“My favorite.” He leans in to kiss me. “You’re spoiling me.”
“Hardly. It’s only dinner.” In comparison to the ways in which he spoils me, it’s a drop in the ocean.
“Aren’t we eating in the dining room?” He frowns at the place settings I laid out on the island unit.
“I thought it’d be cozier in here, but we can eat in the dining room if you want.”
“Is there time to grab a quick shower?”
“Yes.” I tilt my head back for another kiss.
“I won’t be long.”
I stir the stroganoff and check on the rice before taking the placemats and silverware into the dining room. It’s a gorgeous room, but way too formal for my liking. I wish I had the time to redecorate, but I’ll be far too busy at the resort to manage it at the same time.
Seán bought the house as a surprise. He suggested we keep a vacation home here, and while it was a sweet gesture, I’m not sure either of us will want to keep it after the hotel has reopened,given the new circumstances. If we hold on to the house, and that’s a bigifat the moment, I’ll definitely redecorate.
Seán returns dressed in jeans and a golf shirt, managing to make that look sophisticated, and I feel like a slouch in my yoga pants and tee. We sit down across from one another, and I ask him what happened on the site and how the worker is.
