think you better leave.” Callie went around him and desperately began to push his back. “I promise I’ll call Sarah later. Just go.”
Greg frowned, brushing pass Chris as Callie pushed him outside. “Cal-“
“Talk to you later!” Callie grabbed Chris and tugged him inside her apartment. “Congrats by the way!” She slammed the door close and locked it for good measure.
“What the hell was that about?” Chris lifted a brow when she faced him.
“Um…it’s not important.”
“Looked important to me.”
“Well it wasn’t!” Callie snapped.
Chris fell silent and Callie found herself flushing. Even to her ears she sounded rude and defensive. “Chris…sorry.”
“No,” he said, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. He gave her a tiny smile. “It’s none of my business. My bad.”
Callie’s heart tightened at the sight of him. She was jumpy and nervous just seconds ago because of Greg but now that the other man was gone, Chris’s presence filled her senses. Just looking at his handsome face gave her butterflies.
“You look tired.” She hesitated before stepping closer. “Is your mom…?”
“She’s fine. For now.”
“Chris.” Callie fell silent. ‘I’m sorry’ just didn’t seem enough to cut it. How she wished that she could heal Mrs. Walker but even with all the money she inherited…money won’t be enough. But she can help get Mrs. Walker the best doctors with it. It’s the least she could do.
“Look, Cal,” Chris began, “about last night.” He sighed heavily. “I’m sorry. Abel told me what happened.”
“Oh.” He’s not here to tell me that he’s marrying Brenda . Callie wanted to jump for joy. “It’s okay. I probably shouldn’t have it her.”
“No, you probably shouldn’t have.” He sent her a disapproving look. “You’re a guy. You could have really done some damage.”
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for , Callie told herself. This is the perfect time to tell him the truth. The perfect-
All thoughts flew out her head when Chris suddenly grabbed her and his lips covered hers. Caught off guard, she froze for a few seconds before softening and leaning into him…into the kiss.
The feel of his mouth devouring hers had her heart drumming like crazy against her ears and had her body on fire. When he broke the kiss they were both breathing heavily. Chris kissed her forehead and grinned at her.
“Sorry, I’ve been wanting to do that since I saw you. You look adorable.”
“I do?” She squeaked, cheeks flushed red. “But I’m just wearing my regular clothes. Nothing special.”
“You’re special,” he said and his words melted her heart.
Oh Chris …he was making it harder for her to tell him the truth.
“And I’m not marrying Brenda.” Chris continued. “She’s not the one that I…I love.”
Oh lord . “Chris-“
“No.” He shook his head. “Let me finish, Cal. I…I love you.” Chris laughed, blue eyes twinkling. “I love you! Damn, feels good saying it out loud.” It was like a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulder.
Chris looked down at Cal with a wide grin. He expected to find Cal smiling back at him, what he didn’t expect was for those lovely brown to fill with tears and for Cal to burst into heart-wrenching sobs.
“Cal?” He panicked. “Buddy, what’s wrong?”
Callie shook her head and stepped away from him. She couldn’t even speak, that’s how disgusted she was of herself. Chris was just too good for her.
“Cal?” Chris said her name with concern. “What’s the matter? Aren’t you happy? I told you the truth. I love you.”
Callie’s sobs turned more tortured. She was practically choking on her tears. Good. Maybe she can die. She’d deserve it. For lying to Chris. For earning his love with lies upon lies. She didn’t deserve this beautiful man’s love. No matter how much she craved it…she wasn’t good enough for him.
“I love you,” Chris repeated, thinking the reason why
J. C. Reed, Jackie Steele
Morgan St James and Phyllice Bradner