Elle
For two weeks after theforearmincident at my brother’s, I kept my attraction to Cal at bay. It was there, hidden, deep down that came out at night when I might’ve thought about his arms while I used my vibrator. Okay, I did. All the time. In fact, I was getting sick of using a toy every single night when the man in question wasrightthere.
But. He’d made it clear we were friends, and I was cool with it. For the most part. I definitely vetoed any ideas about dating other people though. It wasn’t fair to go out with someone else when my mind was surrounded by Cal.
His cologne, his disgruntled laugh that sounded like he faked it. His throat when he drank water. Yeah, I was so horny for him that watching him sip water out of a glass at the bar was like porn. The drop of moisture fell down his wicked jawline and over his throat. My tongue swelled, desperate to suck the water drop off his skin.
I’d gotten off in the shower before tonight’s shift to get a handle on it, but it did nothing to stifle my feelings. Thosebad boys were dangerously tipping close tomorethan friends. Especially watching him right now as he paced the bar. I was close to asking to be histhree-night standjust to get rid of my desire for him.
“She’s gonna be here in ten minutes.” He clasped his hands behind his back and stared at the door. “My cousin.”
“It’s going to be great, Cal, don’t worry.” I smiled at him, but he didn’t see. Alex and I shared a look, their eyes softening. Charlie was bringing Lizzie to the bar today to show her where he worked. We all wanted to meet her, and we’d even gotten pink and yellow balloons, her favorite colors. Cal and I had worked like mad to get her bedroom ready, and it had a yellow and pink unicorn theme.
“What if she hates me?” he asked, a rare vulnerability entering his dark eyes. He met mine for the first time since he arrived, and I wanted to hug him so badly.
“She’s a child who lost her mom. She’s not going to hate you. I bet she’s excited to have a new family member. I promise.”
“Everyone I’ve met has hated me at some point. Alex, you, even Charlie thought I was a little shit. I can’t fuck this up.” He ran a hand through his hair once, then twice, pulling on the ends so it looked a little wild.
“Then don’t.” Alex walked up to him and put their hand on his shoulder. “You might be rough around the edges, but you have a good heart buried deep under that muscle.”
Cal held my gaze before exhaling long and slow. “My gift is stupid.”
“What did you buy her?” We all bought little presents to welcome her to the bar. Alex got her a black pair of boots—surprising no one. I found a cute unicorn stuffed animal and backpack, but Cal hadn’t shared.
Until now.
“A shirt with my name on the back. A pink hockey puck. A unicorn lunch box.” He gulped and tensed. “I hear them.”
“Hey,” I said, walking up toward him so I stood on one side and Alex the other. I slipped my fingers into his and squeezed. “Love her. That’s all she needs.”
“What if I’ve forgotten how to love?” he whispered.
My heart shattered into little Cal pieces, and I wanted to answer that question with a megaphone. He hadn’t forgotten how to love, but he just showed it differently. He wasn’t kind words and big proclamations. He was gestures and caring from behind the scenes. My chest ached as my own feelings for him doubled in size. I tabled my thoughts until Charlie and Lizzie walked in.
She wasadorable.She wore white jeans with navy chucks. An orange hat, big sunglasses, and her hair was in a messy ponytail to the side. Her dark brown hair and little hand in Charlie’s was too much.
“Hey team, this is my daughter, Lizzie.”
“Hi!” I bent down, letting go of Cal’s hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. I love your glasses. You look fabulous.”
“They were my mom’s.”
“She had great taste then because you look like a princess.” I smiled as she pushed them up and put them in her tiny pink purse. “Are you ten? You look ten years old.”
“No, I’m four.” She moved closer to Charlie, her eyes moving over me and Alex to Cal. “Is that him?”
Ugh, my heart. She stared at her cousin, eyes wide and filled with hope. I watched as Cal mimicked my stance and got onto his knees. “Hi, Lizzie.”
They stared at each other for a second before Lizziedoveinto his arms. She was so tiny compared to Cal, and I tried not to cry as Cal hugged her back. She rested her head on his shoulder, and he lifted her, blinking a lot.
“She was so excited to meet her cousin.” Charlie beamed. “Talked about you the whole way here. Her school had a family day, and she learned about cousins but was upset she never had any. Until now.”
Cal still held onto her as he leaned her back to look at her. Lizzie smiled up like he hung the moon. “I’ve always wanted a cousin.”
“Me too.”
“Then I’m glad we have each other.” Cal swallowed hard, flicking his gaze to me for a beat. I nodded, overcome with emotion at seeing him and her together. The bastard might think he’d forgotten how to love, but how could he know that for sure? He looked at Lizzie with so much warmth and adoration that tears were absolutely gonna fall down my face.
