She tips her chin up, staring deep into my eyes. “I have waited a long time for answers. If you’re willing to tell me, I’m willing to listen.”
69
ASTRID
“Could I use your bathroom first?” I run my hand back and forth across my chest, hoping it will ease the tension building there. I’m terrified. So fucking scared, but I’m not running from this. I sense what Callan has to tell me is going to turn my world upside down again, and I hope I’m strong enough to deal with it.
“Of course.” He stands. “Follow me.”
I get up, keeping my almost-empty wineglass with me, and follow him across the patio to glass double doors. I still can’t believe he bought the Whispering Woods and now owns Whispering Lake. Never in a million years would I have guessed he owned it that night I was outside the gates, annoyed that I’d never get to see my lake again.
He bought it.
Callan owns it.
And he said he did it for us.
I follow Callan into a large game room with a pool table, foosball table, a couple of jukeboxes, a fully-stocked home bar with high stools, and a few couches clustered around coffee tables. “This is a great room,” I say as we walk across the spacetoward the door. “I love what you’ve done with it. It’s really cozy.” It’s a blend of wood and stone with burnt-orange walls. Frames house old movie posters, some of Callan’s old jerseys, and funny sayings. Patterned rugs soften the walnut hardwood floors, and the light fittings are ones I featured on my Insta a few years ago. What a coincidence.
“Thanks. When my friends come over, we mostly spend our time in here.”
We walk out into a long hallway with doors on both sides. Callan opens the closest door and steps aside. “Bathroom. I’ll get us a refill.” He takes my wineglass and shuts the door.
The bathroom is gorgeous with rich cream tiles and a sink built into a counter with wall-to-wall cabinets underneath. The gold-framed mirror is another item I recognize, having showcased it on my page too. Huh.
After attending to business, I step outside, and Callan is waiting for me. “I left our drinks in the living room. I thought you might like a tour?”
“I’d love a tour.”
Not like either of us is delaying this conversation or anything. It’s comforting that he’s nervous too, but it also terrifies me.
The door opposite the bathroom hides a small movie theater with eight recliner chairs, a popcorn machine, a soda stand, and a candy station. “Have to keep this one locked.” He chuckles as he pops the key back on top of the door. “Darcy kept sneaking in and eating all the candy.”
“Freja and Alma would’ve had a field day if they’d had access to this growing up.”
“Truth.” He smiles. “Mum said Freja’s a model and Alma’s in college.”
“Yeah. They’re both doing great, but I miss them. I try to visit Sweden a couple of times a year, but it’s challenging when I’m so busy.”
“I can relate. I try to visit Ireland at least once a year, but it’s getting harder to manage with a thriving business.”
“It’s a great complaint, and you should be proud of yourself.”
“It is, and thanks. It’s great to see all our hard work starting to pay off.” He opens the next door. “This is the gym.”
Callan’s pride in his home is evident as he shows me the playroom, library and study, and two guest bedrooms before we walk into a gorgeous square living room with a plush leather sectional and two matching recliners in front of an open stone fireplace. A large TV hangs over the mantel. Warm green wood paneling covers all the walls to the halfway point. Two oak sideboards, on either side of the room, display a ton of framed photos of Callan and Darcy, along with other members of the family and Callan’s friends.
“Got over your aversion to green, huh?” I tease, chewing on the corner of my mouth when I spot several wall hangings, cushions, lamps, and throws that I know I recommended.
“A wise woman once told me that green is a symbol of nature and harmony, and it’s tranquil and calming. Seemed like the perfect color to bring outside inside.” He shrugs, flushing a little as he stares deep into my eyes. “Green has been my favorite color for a while now.”
“I’m glad I converted you to the dark side.” I waggle my brows, looking around my surroundings again. “This is a beautiful room. Did you get inspiration from my Insta page?”
His brows climb to his hairline. “You know I know about that?”
I open my mouth to explain when he beats me to it.
“Meddling mothers,” he mutters, and I can’t help laughing.
