Fran’s arm through mine squeezes. “Your worth is tied to your goodness, Cal. And you’re the best man I know. Do you realize that?”
I smile down at her. “Thanks, Franny.”
We start toward the bed of live gardenias my mother had planted especially for this party when I slip my hand down Fran’s arm and entwine our fingers. I’m not pretending—I’m supporting myself with a girl that makes me feel like me. That’s all there is to it.
Her fingers tighten in mine. I’m proudof my Fran—Simone has an intimidating air about her, but Fran holds her head high.
“Simone,” I say once we’re close enough.
“Hello, Callum.”
“What are you doing here?” I wasted enough time dancing around this woman and her manipulation. So—let’s get straight to the point.
“I was invited,” she says, her eyes purposely glued to me and never gracing Fran with a glance. This is one of her moves. She’s good at shutting people out or making them feel less than.
But I’m done letting that happen.
“This is Fran.” I keep my hand in Fran’s—there will be no handshake greeting between these two.
“Hi,” Fran says, too sweet to be in the presence of a snake.
Simone doesn’t return the gesture though. No, she doesn’t take her eyes off me. “Can we talk? Alone?”
“Fran is my special guest. And you were accidentally invited to this party. I won’t leave her. Not when I have nothing to say to you.”
“But I have plenty to say.” Simone sets a hand on her hip. “Talk to me, Cal.”
“Sorry, Simone. I think you should go. No one really wants you here. I don’t say that to intentionally hurt you, but to relieve you from an awkward situation.”
“So, what? You’re leaving me for her?” For the first time, Simone darts a two-second stab in Fran’s direction.
My brows knit and my heart pounds, but I keep my composure. She likes the upper hand, and I won’t give it to her by losing control. “You left me. Quite a while ago. Remember?”
“I was thinking. I needed space. Haven’t you ever needed a little time, Callum?”
“Sure. And I appreciate the space you gave me. The time to think that you gifted me. It’s exactly what I needed.”
Fran’s hand tightens in mine.
Simone scoffs, her pretty features contorting with a more realistic version of the woman she is. “That’s it? That’s all you’re giving me?”
I shrug. “I don’t know what else to tell you. While you were thinking, I was figuring things out. I was realizing all the ways I hurt my loved ones and myself while we were together. While you were thinking, I was falling for Fran. I don’t have anything else to say to you.”
Fran stiffens beside me as I replay the words that fell so naturally from my mouth. I spoke, and the truth came out.
Simone sizes Fran up, but I don’t think she scares her. Fran has nothing to be afraid of. “I won’t be back, Callum,” Simone says. “If I walk away now, it’s forever.”
I keep my tone cool and soft, my hand in Fran’s. I’m not attempting to be harsh or unkind to Simone. I just need to be honest.
“I’m counting on it,” I tell her.
Forty-Five
My palm goessweaty inside of Callum’s. My ears drum with a replay of his words:While you were thinking, I was falling for Fran.
Callum Whitaker—the professional soccer player—has fallen for me?
Did I hear that right?
