“It’s not. I think we’re passed that.”
This was the fourth time. This broke his three times rule because I was pretty damn certain we’d be finishing the night with dessert in bed.
* * *
We tooka cab to the restaurant, one called Blue which he knew of through a family friend. It was intimate, discreet, tables separated with plants and screens and a low hum of jazz.
The food wasn’t going to matter. It was just us somewhere other than Africa or college. This was real and what I was feeling wasn’t because of the strength of the sun or vast sky above us, it was because of Callum Callaghan.
“Have you been in love before?” I asked him when the waiter left with our empty plates.
“Yes.”
“Who with?” His answers surprised me. I didn’t think he’d let himself feel that for a person. He gave a lot of himself, Mr Charisma, the centre of the party, but there was always something that he held back, a piece of him that he didn’t want to give.
“You.”
I felt the blood leave my head and my ears started to ring. “Me?”
“After you finished with Jonah. Maybe before. You were with him so I didn’t think of you that way before, or I tried not to.”
“Oh.”
He shrugged. “Did I say the wrong thing?”
“No. I just thought it would be a girl from when you were fifteen or something. I didn’t realise…” I’d known I was different, I’d known that what we had was something other than straightforward friends. I didn’t know what it was I’d felt for him. Jonah had confused me. My need to be lost had confused me.
He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have told you.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s making you deal with what I feel.”
“Maybe. But it’s my choice with how I deal with it. If you’d told me that back then I don’t know what my reaction would’ve been.”
“I was too screwed up back then, Wren.”
“Maybe. How do you feel about me now?”
His lips curved into a gentle smile. “That this is more than one night can cover.”
“Did you get your itinerary?”
I heard a groan. “Yeah. China. Not where I wanted. And I’m pissed off that we’re not together.”
“I know. But…”
“But nothing. They’ve asked me to do some presenting too.”
I’d figured as much. Callum was a natural on camera, his social media was evidence enough for that.
“That’s good. You’ll get more opportunities from this.”
“I’m not sure I want them.”
“What do you want?”
His smile was downright wicked.
