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“Well, this is a good start. I mean, this is the most sincere way. You look beautiful today. I thought you were beautiful the moment I saw you, but today, you look like you feel it too.”
Shyly, she looked away. “I felt a boost of confidence this morning.”
“Let that continue to work for you. You’re glowing, and it has nothing to do with the heat from this hot-ass sun.”
She laughed out loud, and I think it was possibly the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. It would be my honor to be the source of that for her. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something about her felt so right with my spirit. I knew God would never send me another man’s woman, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t walk with her on her healing journey until I could make her my own.
Chapter Thirteen
Pasha
I was beginning to appreciate coming out today. For a while, when I first stepped out of the Uber, my anxiety was on ten. I was feeling out of place. All I wanted to do was get back in the car and go home. When I saw Callum, my feet gravitated toward him, even though my mind told me to go the other way. Even behind his sunglasses, I couldn’t mistake him. I’d stolen many a glance at the handsome, six-foot chocolate man yesterday. I watched his muscles flex as he and Malcolm lifted the heavy furniture. I watched him lift his shirt to wipe the sweat from his brow, exposing his toned abs. I noticed the single dimple in his left cheek and the whiteness of his teeth when he smiled.
Even if I didn’t want to be attracted to him, he was as beautiful on the outside as he seemed to be inside. His eyes were kind, and he presented himself as a genuine person. But what did I know? My horrible judgment of men began and ended with Raymond. I never wanted to be the type of woman who held all men to the same standard as the one who broke my heart and tried to break my spirit.
We’d been walking around for about two hours now. The sun was blazing, so we took several breaks to find shade and drink water to stay hydrated. We ventured away from the farmers’ market and strolled down the Main Street strip. Currently, we were sitting in the courtyard in front of a popular restaurant beside the large fountain. The cool breeze coming off of the water was very refreshing.
“This makes me want to get in the water,” I said, leaning back and closing my eyes.
He chuckled. “I can always dip you in there.”
My eyes flew open. “You wouldn’t dare.”
He laughed. “I wouldn’t, but I know what you mean. It’s a good beach day.”
“God, I haven’t been to the beach in so long.”
“Me either. Maybe we could go one of these days.”
I was quiet. Being in town was one thing, but going out of town with him was a different story. Even if I got to know him better, I didn’t want him to think this was going further than our friendship. I wasn’t sure if I’d be comfortable with him seeing me in a bathing suit anyway. Hell, I wasn’t sure if I’d be comfortable seeing myself in one. I avoided my naked body in the mirror. How could I put it on display for the world to see?
Just as I went to say something, my eyes landed on the last person I wanted to see while trying to have a good day. There was Raymond and a very pregnant Adora walking hand in hand toward the restaurant.
“Can we go?” I asked, standing.
Callum frowned in confusion. “What’s wrong?”
“Please? I don’t want him to see—”
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t my soon-to-be ex-wife.”
I closed my eyes, refusing to look at him, at them. It was enough seeing him in court. I didn’t want to see him here.
He chuckled. “You actually look like somebody today.”
Callum stood and advanced toward him.
“Callum, please...” I begged, only for it to be disregarded.
“Am I gonna have to put my hands on you every time I see you?” he asked, stepping toe-to-toe with Raymond.
“You need to back up.”
“And you need to move along. There isn’t a reason in the world that you need to stop and talk to her. Are you not standing here with the woman you wanted? Pasha shouldn’t bother you like that if you were.”
“That fat bitch couldn’t bother me if she tried.”
Callum had hemmed him up before I knew what was happening and slammed his body against the fountain’s seating.
