“I love you, too.”
Lyra’s eyes widened before she gasped. Those words seemed to breathe a piece of life that had been missing in her existence.
“I gotta go.” Noble walked out the office and stopped at Kaliste’s desk. “Thanksgiving at my house this year. You don't need to bring nothing.”
“Except a bottle, right?”
He smirked. “No, I got all that covered.”
Noble tapped the desk and made his exit out the building. Heading to his car, his phone rang. Looking at the screen, he was dumbfounded at the number.
“I know this man ain't this fucking bold.”
Noble was in a daze while staring at the phone. This didn’t make sense. It could’ve been a setup but he followed his first mind and answered the call.
“Hello?”
“You have a collect call from inmate…”
Eighteen
The deep cerulean water was the perfect introduction for Cali to enter into the new phase of her life. The mountainous setting gave her a view that not even the greatest painter could capture. She never thought she’d spend her Thanksgiving on an island. She was supposed to be surrounded by her family and friends, feasting on food made with love. Not sitting in a bungalow that was in the middle of the Atlantic ocean.
Ever since Cali’s game of pool with Rio, her mind had gained the clarity she’d been praying for. They spoke on the phone multiple times a day. They conversed about topics that they’d never explored before. It felt like Cali had gotten to know Rio all over again. What she’d learned the most was that they weren’t the same people from five years ago. They had grown more, mentally. Rio’s outlook on life was different due to him almost dying. His mentality had changed and Cali could say it was for the better.
When they weren’t talking on the phone, they FaceTimed. Rio would guide her on how to cook certain dishes and she would pick out his outfits for the day. She felt like a teenager who had just discovered her first crush. It wassickening how giddy she’d get when she saw his name on her phone.
Virtually, they’d attended one counseling session with a therapist. It was intense hearing Rio’s deep perspective on how Cali’s bad choices had gotten him hurt. He’d professed to forgiving her and she vowed to never step out on Rio again.
Taking it slow had turned out to be beneficial for them. There was no animosity between them. No bitterness. Just good vibes and laughter.
The ringing of her phone brought her attention toward her lap. She smiled when she saw Douglas’ picture on her screen.
“Hey, Dad. Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Well, it’s not that much of a happy one because you're not here. What’s going on, Cali? I was looking forward to seeing my girl.”
Beaming, she told him, “I know but I wanted to try something else for the holidays. I promise to be there for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The twins made me pinky promise on FaceTime.”
“They're persistent,” he kidded. “So where are you?”
“Nirvana Sky Island.”
After visiting with Irish and Noble for her birthday, Cali wanted to experience the island from a lover’s aspect. When Rio asked her to pick a spot for them to go, this place was her first choice.
“Hmm, what’s there?”
“Beautiful ocean views and great food. I’m going to send you a picture of the bungalow I’m staying in. It’s so gorgeous.”
“You sure that’s it?”
Her lips pursed at his question. “Where are you getting at, Dad?”
“You sure Rio isn’t there with you?”
Cali’s mouth gaped as she sat speechless. No one knew of her reconnection with Rio because she wanted to be sure that it would last. Not even Irish knew that she had been conversing with the man she swore to never be with again.
“Rio? What made you ask about him?”
