“Hey,” he whispered over his shoulder. “I think I see something.”
Eyes wide, Matilda crept forward, her gumboots squeaking with each cautious step.
“See that?” Callan pointed at the green glow peeking through the trees. A string of ghost mushrooms curled around the roots. “The fairies have been here. Let’s sneak up as quietly as we can to get a closer look.” He smirked at me. “You too, Mummy.”
“Be quiet, ’kay?” Matilda put her index finger to her lips and did a “shush” loud enough to scare away all the fairiesandthe trolls.
Callan stifled a laugh. “Yeah, Mummy. You’ve got to be quiet.”
Matilda sloshed through the enormous puddle of water stretching around the trees. Fearful brown eyes searched for Callan when the water lapped too high up her boots. He rushed forward and jetted her to safety. Turning back, he frowned at my sneakers.
“Here.” He held his hand out to me. “I’ll help you over.”
I dropped my hand into his palm, but instead of grabbing it, his other arm slung around my waist, pulling me close enough to bump against his chest, and he lifted me. My heart thumped, the earthy wet grass and forest mingling with Callan’s cologne, the scents stirring a strange, unfamiliar flutter in my chest. Excitement...? Guilt...? Whatever it was, it was too much. I needed space.
My toe gingerly searched for the grass, and when I found solid ground, I slid down his body to land on my feet.
Callan’s breath hitched, surprised at the close contact, but he didn’t let go. He stared at me, and his copper lashes dipped low for what seemed like forever. Was he looking at… my mouth?
Self-conscious, I raised my hand to wipe away whatever was there—a smudge of lipstick or maybe wine—but he captured my hand and lifted his gaze. Oh, those blue, blue eyes. His mouth set in a firm line, as if he were stopping himself from blurting out something.
I gulped. “Cal…?”
“Erin…” He inched close enough that I could feel his breath on my lips. “I…”
Matilda squealed.
“Mummy!” she pointed excitedly at the glowing mushrooms. “See!”
Callan abruptly stepped back, blowing out a giant breath as he darted another strange look at me before rushing to Matilda’s side. I stood rooted to the spot like the tree Callan and Matilda huddled under whispering about fairies and how their magic made the mushrooms glow.
My lips tingled when I brushed my fingers over the top. His breath had been so warm. My pulse still raced.
What just happened?
And why did I wish I could stumble on a real fairy to ask them to rewind time so it could happen again?
11
That Cold Shower in Winter
Callan
I almost kissed Erin.
Three days had passed, and the memory only got brighter. Not one second faded. Erin’s body had pressed against me, her fingertips digging into my shoulder, holding on tight as I carefully lifted her over the puddle. Wine sweetened her breath on my neck.
Bloody hell…
That moment.Thatwas when I stared at her lips too long and almost lost control.
I could imagine it, that kiss that never happened. The relief of finally feeling her lips on mine would be like diving into the river on a summer day—the initial rush, my heart pounding faster, goosebumps prickling my skin, but the hot, hot sun urging me to stay longer…even if I couldn’t find safe footing anymore because I was in too deep.
And I was in so deep.
I exhaled, slow and steady, and searched for answers in the blue skies soaring above the farm. Silence. No bolt of clarity from the heavens. I leaned my hip into the fence railing, pulled out my phone, and reread Cole’s messages.
Callan
