“Hang on, little missy,” I laugh, “I know you want to see Callie as bad as I do.”
Sweet, amber eyes that remind me of someone else I love practically roll when I finally emerge. She eyes the belt in my hand.
“Figured it wouldn’t hurt to have an extra. My other is on its last leg,” I explain. “You wouldn’t want my pants to fall down, would you?”
Nacho ignores me, clearly unimpressed by my potential fashion dilemma.
“Alright, alright,” I say, securing the belt in my bag, “one more thing.” Picking up the new collar, I make the swap from Nacho’s bright purple nylon one to the thoughtful gift from Callie. “What do you think? Do you like it?”
Nacho hops up and struts around on the bed.
Giving her a solid pat on the side, I chuckle. “I think that’s a yes. You ready?”
One bark later, and we’re in the car heading back to the newest member of our family.
Callie texted me saying her front door would be unlocked, so Nacho and I let ourselves in when we arrive.
“Hey,” Callie calls. Her sigh of relief doesn’t go unnoticed, making me smile.
“Hey baby,” I say, shutting the door behind me. That trademark Callie scent of hot chocolate floats in the cozy apartment air. This woman really does know how to make a house into a home.
And now she’s becomemyhome.
Nacho walks right in like she owns the place. That girl has always known when she’s wanted.
I, on the other hand, come to a halt inside the small foyer at the sound of additional voices.
“Hi, sweet girl,” Callie squeals, hopping up to greet Nacho. “Oh my goodness, your collar looks so beautiful!”
The sight of them together gives me pause, thinking back to that night at Theo’s. The night John and I first came up with this crazy idea.
The one that ultimately led me to Calloway Rutherford.
Forgetting all about us not being alone, a bright smile takes over my face while Nacho and Callie share their moment.
“Hey man.” Ian Fairchild pops up from the chair on the far side of the living area.
Another man twists around to look at me from the floor. A man I’ve only seen a couple other times—Aaron Fairchild.
Nodding to Aaron, my eyes shift back to Ian as he approaches.
Ian reaches where I stand in the entryway, extending a hand. Clasping it for the shake, he nods toward the bedroom. “Here, let’s put your stuff in there.” Ian leads me into Callie’s bedroom and I can’t help but wonder how many times he’s been in here.
The same warm colors and feel from the living area brings the room to life, her modern boho style exemplified through a sleek walnut bed and dresser suite, sage and cream bedding, and various art prints hanging in strategically-spaced mini galleries.
Ian takes my bags and sets them in the corner. When he turns back around, concern colors his anxious eyes. Leaning in, he whispers, “Connie texted Aaron, letting him know what happened. So he knows, too.”
“He didn’t before?” My brow furrows.
Ian shakes his head. “Callie and I thought it’d be best if he didn’t. You know, the less people who knew, the better? That kind of thing.”
I work to push down the irrational jealousy of his referring to Callie and him as a unit, instead focusing on what the man is actually telling me. “Was he upset?”
“Nah, just confused. I think he was a little hurt since he loves Callie like a sister, too. But when I explained everything on the way over, he was good.”
“How was she when you got here?”
Ian hesitates, choosing his words carefully. “Quiet at first. But hot chocolate is like liquor to that one,” he grins.
