Every Kiss(84)

“Ma’am?” The waiter’s voice snaps me back into consciousness. “Would you like to order?”

Eve laughs and shakes her head emphatically. “Don’t overthink all of this, Callie,” she says after I give my sandwich order and the waiter shuffles away. “Just let it play out and decide what to do. You’ve done something that a woman hasn’t done for him in a long time. You made him question his own rules, and you got under his skin, making it incredibly hard for him to cut you loose. But with that said, he’s complicated, and I understand if the extra effort isn’t worth it for you. I’m just saying that, if you care about him at all, just wait it out.”

“I honestly can’t tell you what I want to do,” I admit, nervously winding a ribbon of hair around my finger. “Maybe we’re both too stubborn to ever work things out. I know I can’t keep doing this to myself, though. Really, I think this is something that he’s going to have to decide for himself. Once he realizes he’s tired of being alone for no reason, maybe he’ll find the right person and take that blind leap.”

“You might be right about that.” Eve straightens in her seat and nods confidently. “He’s never been one to leap, so I just hope I’m there to see it happen when it does.”

And I’m holding out hope that I’m the one he’s leaping with.





“OKAY, UNIVERSE . . . HAVEN’T I had enough drama this week?” I grumble to myself as I approach the driveway to my house.

Makenna’s car is parked in my usual space, and as I approach, I can see the silhouette of two figures. There’s no doubt in my mind that Shane is the other person in the car. I guess I should’ve expected this because I know Makenna never stays mad at me for long, but if she’s looking for some sort of apology from me, she’s not going to get one. I’m sick of being the one she’s always blaming anytime Wes decides to be an ass.

“Hey, Cal,” Makenna says sheepishly when I get out of my car. “Do you have a few minutes to talk?”

“Uh, sure. My parents are gone, so the house is empty. Come on in.”

They follow me inside, and I turn to face them after tossing my purse onto the island in the kitchen. Shane steps forward to speak first. It’s a little strange to see his direct gaze for a change, instead of a passing glare.

“How was lunch with my mom today?” he asks, making an uncomfortable attempt at small talk.

“Good. It’s always nice to see her.” I guess she told him she was meeting me today.

“It is.” He looks down at his shuffling feet. “Look, uh, what happened in Gulf Shores . . . I feel terrible about how I acted.”

Makenna takes a step forward. “How we acted. Callie, Wes told Shane everything that’s been going on with the two of you, and I wish you’d told me. If I had known, I probably would’ve agreed with everything you said that morning after he left. I knew he was difficult, to say the least, but I don’t think anyone really realized exactly how messed up he is.”

“I know I didn’t.” Shane’s shoulders slump. “I’ll be honest, when he asked how the week in Gulf Shores went, I told him what you’d said about him. He unloaded on me, saying that we didn’t have a right to treat you that way and that it was all his fault. He said that you were right. It wasn’t until I pinned him down a few days ago and made him tell me why you were right that I finally understood. Although, I’m sure there’s a lot that he left out.”

I’m absolutely positive he did. “Makenna, I would’ve told you if it was my story to tell. Wes has confided in me on some deeply personal issues, and there’s no way I’d break that trust by telling anyone. I guess I could’ve told you exactly that, but I just avoided it. I think I was so hard on you that morning because, every time Wes takes off or acts like an ass, you ask me what I did wrong. I was already reeling from the fight with him the night before, so I didn’t take it well.”

Makenna steps forward and rests a hand on my forearm; the simple touch is a peace offering of sorts. “I’m sorry, Cal. I have a lot of respect for him, and he’s a nice guy. I guess I forgot for a second that I know you. I know you don’t play games with people, and I know you always try to do what’s right.”

“I’m sorry, too.” I reach out and snatch her shoulders, pulling her into me so fast she squeals. Shane wraps his arms around the both of us and murmurs his apology, as well.

“You know his biological mother is supposed to be at his house right now, right?” Shane pulls back from us. “I’m kinda freaking out a little bit for him. I know he must be losing his mind.”