Chapter14
Callie
Because you matter.
The words hung between us, quiet but devastating in their clarity. My hands stilled against the edge of the shelf, the rag dangling loosely from my fingers. Everything inside me paused—my breath, my thoughts, the careful rhythm I’d tried to maintain since walking through the door. It was like those three words cracked something open I hadn’t realized I was still keeping shut.
I looked at him—reallylooked. The bruise on his cheek, the tension still coiled in his shoulders, the way he stood there like he had nothing left to hide. There was no game in his expression. No apology either. Just… truth. Unflinching and terrifying.
He kissed me.
Slow. Certain. Like it was the only thing he’d been sure of in a long, long time.
And I let him.
Maybe—I leaned in first.
The moment unfolded softly. No firestorm. No chaos. Just the heat of his breath mixing with mine and the faint scent of coffee and cinnamon lingering in the air between us. His lips were gentle, unsure at first, like he was giving me every chance to pull away. But I didn’t. Couldn’t. My fingers curled into the front of his shirt while his hand lifted, rough and calloused, brushing against my cheek like I was something fragile.
He held still for a heartbeat too long. Like he was waiting for regret.
But all I felt wasreal.
The kind of real that stole my breath.
When we finally broke apart, I stood there dazed, lips tingling, lungs tight. The quiet hum ofThe Book Nookcrept back in—the distant ticking of the old clock, the soft creak of wood settling in the walls, the faint patter of snow outside.
We didn’t speak.
Our eyes stayed locked—his steady and searching, mine wide and wild with everything I couldn’t put into words. My heart hammered in my chest, thudding loud in my ears as nerves started catching up to the moment. The kiss hadn’t been a mistake, but the aftershock still rattled me.
Because if I let this happen—us—there was no going back.
I swallowed hard, trying to steady the racing pulse under my skin.
And still, I didn’t let go of his shirt.
“So, um, that was… unexpected,” I blurted, the words spilling out of me like they’d been waiting for the slightest crack in my composure. “I mean—not unwelcome! Just surprising. Not that I haven’t thought about it—I mean, obviously I’vethoughtabout it—okay. Wow. Shutting up now.”
My face burned. I could feel the heat crawling up my neck as I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, suddenly fascinated by the floor. Eye contact felt like a trap—one I wasn’t ready to fall into again just yet.
Cavil’s low smirk didn’t help. “That’s the most words you’ve said to me at once since I came back to town.”
I rolled my eyes, half-laughing despite the flush still blooming across my cheeks. “I’m trying to be emotionally responsible here, and you’re mocking me.”
“Not mocking,” he said, voice warm. “Just appreciating the moment.”
And then—because of course the universe couldn’t let us haveoneuninterrupted moment—the loudest meow known to man echoed from the front of the store.
“Oh great,” I groaned. “Of course.”
Marmalade strutted in like he owned the entire block, tail raised, eyes narrowed in that slow, judgmental blink only cats could perfect. He circled us once, then launched himself onto the counter and settled like a king surveying his very confused subjects.
Cavil let out a breath of laughter. “Does he ever blink like a normal creature?”
I smiled, grateful for the comic relief. “Not if he’s judging you.”
“Judging or planning my demise?” he asked, deadpan, eyeing Marmalade as if they were sizing each other up for battle.
