"Yeah?"
"Thank you, for driving back with me. For facing Luke. For all of it."
"You don't have to thank me."
"I know. But I want to."
I pull her closer. She fits against me perfectly. "We're going to be okay."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She falls asleep in my arms. I lie there awake, thinking about everything that's changed. Everything that's still the same.
I'm in love with Callie Reyes. I'm committed to making this work. And I'm done running.
Whatever comes next, we'll face it together.
No more secrets. No more lies. No more hiding.
Just us. Finally.
And that's enough.
9
CALLIE
Iwake up to sunlight streaming through my bedroom window and Ethan's arm around my waist.
For a moment, I just lie there. Taking inventory. He's still here. We're still here. Luke knows. Everything is different.
Everything is better.
Ethan stirs behind me. His arm tightens, pulling me closer.
"Morning," he murmurs against my hair.
"Morning."
"What time is it?"
I check my phone on the nightstand. "Eight thirty."
"Shit. I need to get to my laptop. Conference call at nine."
"You can use my kitchen table."
He kisses my shoulder. "Thanks."
We get up. I make coffee while he showers. Normal domestic routine. Like we've been doing this for years instead of days.
When he emerges, hair damp and wearing yesterday's clothes, I hand him a mug. He takes it and sits at my small kitchen table, laptop already open.
"I'll be quiet," I tell him.
"You don't have to be."
