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He set her down easy, kissing her lips and her throat, stroking her hair while she threaded her fingers through his hair. Neither one of them said anything. What they'd done, what they'd shared, had said enough.
They dried off and climbed into his big bed, but only used a quarter of the space because he tugged her close against him. She pulled his arm around her and he realized he liked having her here in his house. In his bed. In his life.
He'd do anything to keep her here.
Except the one thing he knew she wanted.
That, he couldn't--wouldn't do.
"I have a problem, and I need some advice."
Tori tossed her oversized bag on Calliope's desk. "You've come to the right person."
Wyatt had a meeting with his brothers at a potential new job site, so he'd left early. Tori had agreed to pop over after work, so now that the day care center was closed, she and Tori had some quiet time to talk.
She'd let a week go by. Things with Wyatt were almost perfect. They were together all the time, and even though the room addition project was a couple days from being completed, she knew the two of them would continue to be together after it was finished. But still, things weren't quite whole between them, and she knew why. It nagged at her, refusing to go away.
Tori took a seat in the chair across from Calliope's desk.
"It's about Wyatt."
Tori smirked. "I figured. What's the problem? Is he being grouchy again?"
"No. Well, not really. He's...uncooperative about a particular subject."
"What subject is that?"
"His ex-wife."
Tori's eyes widened. "You do realize that subject is off-limits. None of us ever bring up the ex. I know she's your sister and all, but, honey, that marriage did not end well."
"I know." She pushed back from her desk and stood, looking out at the streetlights and cars passing by. She turned to face Tori. "The scars of that marriage are holding him back. It's holding us back. He can't let it go."
"Ugly things were said between the two of them. I wasn't privy to it all, but from what I heard, it was a bitter divorce."
"Yes, it was. Mistakes were made on both sides and they walked away without closure. Without forgiveness. Without talking to each other. They need that closure now. Without it, I don't think Wyatt will ever be able to move on with a clear conscience."
"And you want him to be able to move on. With you."
She nodded.
"Honey, you know I love you. But some things--some people--can't be fixed."
"I don't want to fix him. I want him to be happy."
"Doesn't he seem happy? With you?"
"Yes and no. I feel like there will always be a wall between us."
"Meaning Cassie."
"Yes. He needs to get past her, really let her go, before he can ever be truly happy."
"You do realize this could be a deal breaker for him."
Calliope nodded. "I know. But I love him, and I know that on the surface he's happy with me, but Cassandra will always be between us. Which means I have to try. And if that means he walks away from me, then I guess we were never meant to be."
Tori stood, came over and hugged her. "So what do you want to do?"
"I have an idea."
"That Wyatt won't like."
"He'll hate it. He'll be angry with me."
"And you need my help to make it happen."
"Yes."
Tori nodded. "You know I love you both. So what can I do?"
Chapter Ten
Wyatt hated parties. It required more socializing, and God knew he'd done enough socializing the past couple months to last him a lifetime.
But it was part of what they did for business, and the annual Kent Construction holiday party included inviting their clients. Treating clients to a night of fun, dinner and dancing was good for their business. So he'd suck it up, put on a smile and a suit, and down enough whiskey so he could numb the pain.
At least this year he'd have Calliope by his side, so he wouldn't have to huddle in a corner with some drunken businessman he'd have to end up driving home at the end of the night.
Trying not to strangle on his tie, he pulled into Calliope's driveway and got out, went to her front door and rang the bell.
"It's open," he heard her holler. He opened the door.
"How do you know I'm not some serial killer?" he said as he walked in. "Lock your damn door, woman."
"There are no serial killers in this town," she said from the bedroom.
"I'm sure the last person to be killed by a serial killer in a small town thought that, too."
"Fine. I'll have a key made for you and I'll start locking the front door."
She came out, and he forgot all about the lecture he was going to give her about locking the door.
Dressed in a black dress that swept across the tops of her knees, her shoulders were bare, the dress sparkled, clung to her amazing breasts and every curve of her body. Long silver earrings hung from her ears, her hair was swept up and into some kind of sparkly clip, curls dangling down her back. She even wore different glasses, black ones with tiny crystals on the side. Sexy as hell. Her shoes made her legs look miles long and all he could think about was getting her out of that dress later on tonight.
"I can't breathe, Calliope."
She frowned and walked toward him. "What's wrong?"
"You're so goddamned stunning you take my breath away."
She paused, and her lips curved. "Really?"
"Yeah." He came to her, lifted her hand in his and pressed a kiss to it. "I'm going to make every man at the party jealous."
"Stop."
"No. You're truly beautiful. I'm a very lucky man."
She grinned. "Thank you." She adjusted his tie. "You look so handsome in a suit. Black suits you. We make a fine couple."
"Thanks. I'm uncomfortable."
"Suck it up, hot stuff. It's only for one night."
"You ready?"
She inhaled, let it out, and he couldn't help watching the rise of her breasts.
"You keep looking at me like that and we won't make it to your party tonight."
"And that would be a bad thing...how?"
She laughed. "I'll get my coat."
Calliope's stomach was twisted up in knots. The venue was beautiful. She found Tori and told her she'd done a fantastic job.
"Thank you." Tori squeezed her hand. "We have so many people here tonight. I'm so nervous."
"Don't be. This is amazing."
Tori took a sip of champagne and looked around. "We have such a great turnout. I'm glad we booked on a Friday night. I think people were ready to party, let loose before the holidays."
"And you look gorgeous." Tori's flaming red hair was in an updo, with tendrils framing her creamy face. She wore diamond studs in her ears, and a knockout, tight-fitting red dress that showcased all her assets. "Has Brody seen you yet?"
"Brody who?"
Calliope laughed. "Deny all you want, but that is an impress-a-man dress."
"How do you know it isn't for Jimmy Redding of Redding Tools?"
Calliope snorted. "If you had the hots for Jimmy Redding I'd already know about it."
Tori shrugged. "I'm on duty tonight, making sure our guests have a great time."
Calliope saw Brody frown in Tori's direction, and head their way.
"We'll see what Brody has to say, since he's coming at you like a runaway freight train."
Tori turned. "Huh. Oh, look, there's Jimmy Redding now. Gotta go."
Tori skirted away in a hurry. Calliope had no idea what kind of game Tori was playing with Brody, but from the steaming mad look on Brody's face, she'd guess that game was going to reach a conclusion soon.
Calliope dug her phone out of her purse, then palmed her stomach to calm the nervous jitters.
This had to work. If it didn't, her relationship with Wyatt would be in serious jeopardy.
She spotted Ethan and Riley along with Ethan's pa
rents, so headed over there to say hello. Riley looked gorgeous in a pale cream dress, her hair cascading down her shoulders.
"I love a good party," Riley said. "And these aren't the industry type of parties I'm always stuck going to. Small-town parties are always the best."
"You didn't always think so," Ethan said, sliding his arm around her waist.
She leaned her head against Ethan's shoulder. "I'm reformed now. I might have to be on the road a lot, but there's nothing better than coming home."
Calliope grinned. Ethan and Riley had gone through a lot to be together. Seeing them so happy together now gave her hope.
"Calliope," Stacy Kent said, taking her hands. "It's so wonderful to see you here."
"Thank you, Stacy. It's nice to be here."
Stacy looped her arm in Calliope's after Ethan and Riley moved off. "Can I say thank you?"
"Why?"
