As our lips move together, I come to realize that everything that came before this moment doesn’t matter anymore. The love we share now is stronger than the pain she’s carried for all these years. We’re not bound by the past anymore; we’re bound by the love we’ve found in each other—strong, enduring, and something that will last a lifetime.
Chapter 23
Danielle
I've been seeing Cal and Hannah every day since the board meeting a week ago. Last night, before I left, Cal wrapped his arms around me and kissed me like time was standing still just for us. He kissed me until there was no doubt that what we share isn’t just attraction, chemistry, or even a strong connection. What we have is a bond that makes me want to forget the hurt, the past, and everything that came before.
Even though my heart screamed for me to stay, neither of us wanted to let things go too far. So I reluctantly walked to the door, where he kissed me goodnight and promised he’d come over in the morning to make me breakfast after he dropped Hannah off at the bus stop.
I stand next to him, slicing strawberries and bananas while he pours batter into the waffle maker. As he closes the lid, the waffle maker lets out a quiet hiss and a puffof steam. He leans in to nuzzle my neck, his short beard tickling my skin and sending a thrilling sensation through me. I smile and pull him in for a kiss—a long, thorough kiss that makes my heart race.
He pulls away briefly, smiling with one eyebrow raised. “You taste like strawberries,” he whispers in my ear before kissing me again.
I smile against his lips. “You taste like syrup.”
“What time is Tina coming home again?” he asks, pulling me closer.
“Nine,” I reply. “Why? Did you have something in mind?”
"Always," he says, his tone teasing. He brushes his lips against mine, then turns his attention back to the waffle maker. He opens the lid and uses a fork to lift the last two perfectly golden waffles out, setting them onto a platter before placing it on the table.
He pulls out a chair for me and then takes a seat beside me.
"I have something important to tell you," he says, his tone still light.
I blow into my cup of coffee and take a sip. "Oh yeah? What is it?"
"When my parents got married," he begins, his voice soft, "they were young, but they both knew they wanted to start a family right away. They tried for three years before it became clear they had fertility issues. They saw doctors, went through tests and treatments for two years, before finally giving up on the idea of having children of their own."
I hadn’t expected this, and the surprise must show on my face because when I catch Cal’s gaze, the look he gives me tells me he knows exactly what I’m thinking.
"They were in their mid twenties when they started fostering. The first children they took in were two cousins."
"Cal..." I murmur, the words hanging in the air. I don’t want to draw any conclusions, but I can’t stop the picture forming in my mind.
He nods, a quiet acknowledgment in his eyes, confirming I’m starting to piece it together. "I was five, and Nate was ten," he adds, the words hanging between us. "By then, we had already been in the system for two years. I was too young to remember those early years, but Nate remembers everything."
There's a shift in the air—a heaviness—as the pieces click into place. He’s not just sharing his past; he’s offering a deeper truth. His past looks a lot like mine. He is to Nate what Beth was to me. The only difference is, they got adopted together. As hard as the Callahans tried to give Beth and me the same outcome, it turned out completely different.
"That day I saw you and Beth walking down the street with backpacks bursting at the seams, a scared look on your face, and a pace that told me you were running, I thought of Nate and me. We ran away twice before we were placed with the Callahans. My heart broke for you two. I wanted to hug you and tell you everything was going to be okay. But I had to separate the cop I was from the littleboy my cousin had protected every day since the day I was born."
"Oh, Cal," I whisper, fighting back tears. "Why didn’t you ever tell me?"
He shrugs. "I was going to. Then everything happened. I never wanted to overshadow your story or pretend I fully understood what you’ve been through. I was five when we were adopted. I don’t remember much before then. But if anyone can relate to what you’ve been through—even if just a little—it’s Nate."
"You two look so much alike," I say, offering him a small smile. "I think I remember Tina calling Nate your evil twin."
Cal laughs. "I think I’m much better looking."
"And let's not forget much more humble," I say, giving him a little nudge with my shoulder.
He shoots me a self-deprecating smile before continuing. "Uncle Nathan served in the military and died overseas when Nate was six. My father was a cop, and he died a year later responding to a domestic disturbance call."
"Oh my God," I gasp, covering my mouth.
"I got a tattoo on the inside of my bicep in honor of our dads," he says.
"I don't think I've seen that one," I say, just as he lifts his arm and turns it to reveal the last nameReedin big, bold script.
