When We Found Home(49)

She thought of her work friends and how much she enjoyed their company. What would change? Would she be forced to quit? Only she was Malcolm’s sister and according to the lawyer, part owner of the business, so could she be fired?

All the thoughts and questions swirled in her head, making her feel dizzy. But no matter how much she worried and writhed and fought emotion, one key issue kept rising to the surface.

What would happen when Santiago found out?

She hadn’t wanted to go out with him, hadn’t believed he was real. Only she had given in and he was and he’d won her over with his sexy brand of seduction. When she saw him, her heart was all happy and her body went on alert and sometimes, just sometimes, she allowed herself to think that maybe she was getting a second chance at a decent life. That maybe things could work out. Only now it was all lost and she had no one but herself to blame. If she’d been honest from the beginning, she wouldn’t be sweating this now.

Which all sounded so great and mature but didn’t do anything to help her figure out what to do next.

Her phone buzzed to alert her to a text. Panic chilled her, making her want to run and hide, but she forced herself to pick up the phone and read the screen.

Can we talk?

The text was from Santiago. Her shoulders slumped as she thought about the best way to answer him.

He obviously knew—otherwise why would he be asking that? He was always about saying hi and being flirty or making plans. No guy with nothing on his mind wanted to talk.

I don’t think that’s a good idea.

Cowardly, she thought, but right now she was in self-preservation mode.

I’m at your front door.

She sighed. Of course he was. Because that was her life.

Instead of replying, she went downstairs and opened the front door. Sure enough, Santiago stood there, looking all tall and handsome in his perfect suit. For once, he wasn’t smiling—instead he looked concerned.

“Are you all right?” he asked, stunning her with the question.

“What do you mean?”

He stepped inside and she closed the door.

“I talked to my mom and she said I needed to speak to you. She wouldn’t tell me why. I know Noah was sick, I got Hanna’s message too late to help. He’s doing better, by the way. His fever has dropped a little. So what’s up?”

He sounded so caring, she thought sadly. So worried about her. Why hadn’t Enriqua simply told him the truth instead of forcing Callie to do it? Or maybe this was his mother’s way of punishing her.

No, Callie thought. That didn’t feel right. Regardless, she was totally and completely screwed.

“I have something to tell you,” she said. “I’m going to say a bunch of stuff and I want you to be quiet until I’m done. I mean that—no questions, nothing. Just listen. Then you can ask whatever you want or leave or call me names. But until I’m done, you have to just listen.”

He tilted his head. “Callie, there’s nothing you could say that would make me want to call you names.”

“You think that now.” She drew in a breath and tried to brace herself, then began to explain about her past. She told him about her high school boyfriend and the prank that had turned into a horrifying, life-changing event. She didn’t go into detail, but she didn’t gloss over the important parts, either.

“Malcolm knows,” she said as she wrapped things up. “Keira, and Grandfather Alberto. No one else. I asked Malcolm not to tell anyone. I didn’t want to be judged by my past. You probably think I don’t deserve that.”

He’d watched her attentively the whole time, his dark eyes giving nothing away. She didn’t know if he wanted to spit on her or hug her. Okay, the hugging was unlikely, but she honestly had no idea what he was thinking.

“It’s been three years,” she added, trying not to sound desperate. “Three years of doing the right thing, of being the person I’m supposed to be. And while I know I’m okay, there are still restrictions. For the rest of my life, I will be a convicted felon.” She dropped her gaze to the floor. “I probably should have told you before. And I felt awful about Hanna and her not knowing.”

She raised her gaze. “But I was really careful with Noah and I took care of him and...”

She had nothing else to say, she thought sadly. There weren’t any words to convince him that she was worthy and while in time she would get her mad on and convince herself that if he didn’t see that she deserved to be judged on who she was today and not on her eighteen-year-old self, then he wasn’t someone she wanted in her life.

But that time wasn’t now and at this minute, she felt sick to her stomach as the realization she was going to lose him forever sank in.

“That’s all,” she said. “I’m done.”

“That’s a lot.” He rubbed his face. “I wasn’t expecting anything like that. I don’t know what to say.” His mouth straightened. “Don’t take this wrong, but I need some time to process all this. Is that okay?”

No. No, it wasn’t. Only she couldn’t say that. So she nodded and walked to the door. He walked out without saying a word and he didn’t once look back.

Callie crossed the foyer and sat on the bottom stair. She wrapped her arms around herself and began to rock back and forth. No tears, she promised herself. Not now. She was going to be strong. She was going to hold it all together.

She had no idea how long she sat there, breathing and telling herself she would get through it. She was in the middle of trying to convince herself she had to eat something when someone knocked on the door. She was stunned to find Santiago standing there.

“Okay,” he said, looking at her. “I’ve thought about it.” He smiled. “I’m in.”

“Wh-what?”

He walked into the house and shut the door. After cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her. “I’m in. You screwed up and you paid a hell of a price. But I’ve seen how you are with the people around you. I hear how Malcolm talks about you and your relationship with Keira. Before I came over here, my mom confused the hell out of me by telling me everyone deserves a second chance. Now I know what she was talking about.”

He kissed her again, his lips lingering on hers.

Disbelief made it difficult for her to feel anything. Then the warmth of his mouth cut through the fog and she became intensely aware of the man and his nearness. She wanted to throw herself at him, hanging on so tight she never had to let go. Instead she stepped back. She had to be sure.

“You’re perfectly fine with my past? You can know about it and let it go?”

“Yes.”

“Are you ever going to throw it in my face?”

“Nope. Not my style.”

“What about your family? Are they going to be okay with this?”

“My mom is. I’m sure Hanna and Paulo will feel the same way. I don’t think the kids need to know.” He smiled. “You were involved with robbing a liquor store, not a child pornography ring. There’s a huge difference. A dozen kids I know stole stuff in high school. You got caught and you paid a big price. I’m sorry for that, but it’s done and you’ve moved on. I’m ready to do the same.”

He was too good to be true, she thought, dazed by everything that had happened. She didn’t know what to think, what to believe. All she could hang on to was the fact that it wasn’t over with Santiago.

She threw herself at him. He caught her and held her tight.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He touched the bottom of her chin, forcing her to look up at him.

“Callie, you’re special to me. I wish you could believe that.”

“I’m trying.”

“Good. Now do you want to get some dinner?”

Just like that, she thought in amazement. Things were back to normal.

“I’d love to. Let me get changed. I only need a few minutes.”

“I’ll wait down here. Oh, and later I want to talk to you about the charity gala we’re going to in a few weeks. The company is one of the big sponsors.” He winked. “I’ll be in a tux, so you’ll want to brace yourself.”

She grinned. “To withstand all that manly goodness?”

“I am pretty impressive.”

Tears threatened again. She blinked them away before raising herself up on her toes and kissing him.

“You are most impressive. That’s what I tell all my friends. We talk about you and then we swoon.”

He chuckled. “I get that a lot.”

She was still laughing as she raced up the stairs. Yet more weight was lifted from her shoulders. Normal, it seemed, might finally be possible.





chapter twenty-two

Santiago walked into Malcolm’s office around ten. His friend and boss was on the computer. Santiago sat in one of the visitor chairs and waited until Malcolm had saved his work.

Malcolm finished typing, then turned to him. “What’s up?”

“I thought we could talk for a second.”

Malcolm glanced toward the open door. “Need that closed?”

“Good idea.”

Santiago shut it, then returned to his seat. He thought about all that had happened the previous day—how Noah had gotten sick and Callie had pitched in only to find herself needing to confess the truth about her past.