He shakes his head, then reconsiders and nods. “I’ve always been a worrier. Or at least a planner. I like to know what’s coming next. I like things to be right.”
“I understand that. My dad’s a bit that way too. Except he takes it to extremes. He’s got to control everything.”
“I worry I’m that way too.”
Now I really laugh. “You give yourself heaps to worry about.”
Cal chuckles. “I do, don’t I?”
And then things loosen up between us. He tells me a littlebit more about Kayla as I direct him to where I live just outside of town. As he pulls into the driveway, I see for the first time how small my studio apartment above the detached garage is. You can’t even see it from the road, which is why I chose it. At the time, it felt private and quiet. Exactly what I needed.
Now its small windows on either side of the metal front door and the deck with stairs on each end look too much like a frowning face. Sad and lonely.
“You can grab your stuff and come with me to my appointments if you want.” He sends the dark apartment a wary look. “Or I can come back around for you.”
“I’m gonna need a minute.” I’m hot and sweaty and really need a shower. Plus, I’m still wearing Cassidy’s clothes. “I could just drive myself out to your place.”
Then I remember my car is still at Flamingo’s.
“If you want to come back round, and take me to my car at Flamingo’s, I can follow you back to the ranch…” I draw my eyes to Cal’s.
I should leave Serenity right now, while things are still easy. I can still make a clean break—mostly. But I don’t know where to go yet, and I don’t want to be alone in my apartment.
“As long as you’re sure about me staying,” I add to give Cal an out. “It’ll only be for a couple more days, at most.”
“I was being honest when I said you can stay as long as you want.” Cal’s eyes are darker than I’ve ever seen them.
“You can’t say we’re just friends and look at me like that.”
“What are you accusing me of? I’m just being me.” He’s no actor, and his smolder says he very much knows what he’s doing.
“Yeah, nah. Keep your smolder to yourself, Callahan Holloway. You want things to stay friendly, don’t try using that on me again.” I slide out of the truck and smile back at him. “See you in a bit,friend.”
Still smoldering hotter than a dying campfire, Cal adds his lopsided grin. “Yep. Text you when I’m on my way.”
With a snort, I close the door, but my knees are wobbly as I walk to my front door. It takes a cold shower to stiffen them up again.
Staying at the Holloways is risky, and I’m not gonna fool myself into thinking it’s not. I’m in danger of falling hard for Cal and his entire family. So, my focus over the next couple days has to be on where I go from here.
The first step toward that is getting back to being Frankie. Whoever she may be, she’s not a server at a diner anymore. I won’t be wearing anymore wigs or cat-eye glasses. No more heavy makeup, either.
For the first time since coming to Serenity Cove, I take more than a few minutes to fix my hair. I spend an hour scrunching and shaping my auburn curls into photo-shoot-ready perfection. Instead of the layers of heavy makeup to hide who I am, I apply light, natural makeup that matches my skin tone and brings out my eyes.
I have some time before Cal comes back, so I search my closet for what to pack. My favorite pair of jeans. A cream-colored shirt that brings out the green in my eyes. I pull clothes I’ve ignored for years from my closet and drawers while I text back and forth in the ANM chat, updating everyone.
I’ve just finished packing when there’s a knock at the door. Clothes are everywhere, but I check my phone and see that Cal texted to say he’s on his way. I throw open my closet door and check the mirror hanging inside, and smile at my reflection. My place may be a mess, but at least I’m not.
“Come in!” I yell and grab a lip gloss.
The closet door blocks my view, but I hear Cal walk in. “Ignore the vibe. It’s ‘woman on the run’ chic,” I say while dabbing on the gloss.
“Not your best look, but I’m just happy to see you again.”
I stop what I’m doing and look around the door, hoping I’m wrong about who’s voice I just heard.
I’m not.
Cal’s not standing in the doorway.
