“Hello? Do I no longer have a say in this?”
Noah flicks his gaze to Callie, eyes immediately softer. He nods to me, and it’s a relief.
“Callie.” I turn to her, the woman I love. I have to tell her how I feel before we make a decision about this. Because maybe it’ll be too late once Shane’s fate is decided. She might not want to hear a thing I have to say.
I memorize her face. Those few freckles across her nose. Wild, long dark hair tucked behind her ears. Those dark eyes.
This woman deserves all the protection in the world.
Please, let me be the one to protect her.
“Wes.” She looks cautious.
“I think you should let Noah and I take care of this situation without your involvement. You can drive away right now in Noah’s truck?—”
“Hey! No one drives Red Daisy,” Noah cuts in.
“Shut up, Noah.” And he does. “You don’t want this life. You don’t want to make a decision about a man living or dying. Let me send you away. Then we can talk later. Tomorrow. And pretend this never happened.”
“No, Wes.” Callie shakes her head and watches me with a pained expression.
“You guys need a minute. I’ll come back out in a few.” Noah backs away from us into the kitchen, but I keep my attention strictly on Callie.
I reach for her hands, which she gives me. Maybe how I feel will matter to her, maybe it won’t. But it might be too late if I wait. I squeeze her hands to get her attention.
“I just don’t know, Wes.” She turns her face up to me, her eyes wide and innocent and full of emotion.
I shake my head. “Forget about Shane for a second.”
“Okay.” She nods, although I’m not sure she’ll be able to do it.
“This might not seem like the best time, but I also feel like it’s important I say it now.” Noah’s in the kitchen making some noise, but I ignore him. He’s probably slicing pie.
“Say what, Wesley?” Her expression is clear of pain for the moment.
“You are like no woman I’ve ever met before.” I search her face and sigh when a ghost of a smile appears. “I’ve never had to hide who I am with you. You never gave me that look—the one of fear or disgust or confusion. You were never freaked out by the way I kept track of you.”
“You made me feel safe,” she says, her voice so soft. Now it’s my turn to smile, and I lift my hands to her face, cupping her jaw.
“All I want to do is protect you. From everything. I’d tuck you in my pocket and carry you around if I could.”
She huffs a sweet laugh, but her eyes are filling with tears. That can’t be a good sign. Or is it? Who fucking knows. I’ve never been good at any of this.
“I’d burn the world down for you, Calliope. Do you know that?”
“I think I do.” She nods.
“Some might say I stalked you—and I don’t condone stalking?—”
Now she fully laughs. Glad she finds me entertaining? Fuck. But I can’t help but smile with her.
“At least you’re good at it. I was the worst stalker ever.”
“Being good at stalking isn’t something to be proud of.” Irun a thumb over her bottom lip, and she takes a ragged breath.
“You made it fun.” Her mouth turns up in a sad smile. I love her smile, but hate that I’m making her sad.
“You played along. You’re perfect.” I run a hand down her long locks.
