Me
Come back?
Callahan
Making sure dad's ok. Give me 15 min.
Fourteen minutes later, Callahan comes back. He slides into the empty chair beside me as his arm goes across the back of my chair, unhurried, like it belongs there.
At some point, he picks up my glass of water and takes a long drink without asking, like we're just people who share things. Rome frowns at the familiarity. Erin puts her hand on his arm as if to hold him back.
The happiness tips into mischief. It's the wine. It's the birthday. It's the look on Callahan's face—relaxed, guard down for once in this group—as he laughs at Poppy's impression of someone I don't know.
It's the fact that Rome is sitting right there, stiff and watchful on a night like this. My big brother is such a bore. He needs to lighten up.
I lean toward Callahan and point at the water glass. "Can I have a sip?"
"Here, baby." He hands it to me, his attention still half onPoppy. It's technically my glass. I could have just grabbed it, but I give him a sweet smile as I take it anyway.
"Thank you, Daddy."
The table goes silent as Callahan's face goes through about four stages in two seconds: shock, disbelief, a flash of heat he can't hide fast enough, and then pure, undiluted horror as his eyes cut sideways to Rome. And then to everyone else, who is staring with their mouths open.
Rome's napkin hits the table with an angry thud. He doesn't say a word. He pushes his chair back, stands up, and walks out of the restaurant, choosing to leave before he chooses to commit a felony.
Erin closes her eyes. Ramsey pinches the bridge of his nose. Poppy bursts out laughing so hard she knocks her wine glass over and doesn't care.
Callahan is staring at me, and he is furious. Why is he so hot when he's angry? Something in his eyes has gone darker, and I have to actively resist the urge to close the distance between us. I might be a little buzzed, but he is still the most gorgeous man I have ever seen.
"Lily," he hisses. "What the fuck?"
"I'm sorry." I am definitely not sorry. "I couldn't help it."
"You are unbelievable."
"Rome needs to be humbled every once in a while," I say with a shrug.
But Callahan is not listening. Poppy is wheezing, her face buried in Ramsey's shoulder, her whole body shaking. Ramsey is rubbing her back with the resigned patience of a man who has accepted his life.
Erin stands up. She's calm, but even she can't hide thetwitch at the corner of her mouth. She picks up her purse and points between me and Callahan.
"The two of you," she says, "will stop tormenting my man and forcing me to chase after him."
"Erin, I'm sorry." I mean it this time. Partially.
Erin gives me a look that says she knows exactly how partial the apology is. She kisses my cheek, murmurs happy birthday, and walks out after Rome.
Callahan leans forward, elbows on the table, and presses both hands over his face. He stays like that for a long moment. I rub his back and offer a false apology.
"Does that mean you'll stop all this and behave from now on?" he asks.
"Let's be reasonable here." I grin at him. "I'm always gonna make your life a living hell."
Callahan turns to Ramsey, who holds up both hands.
"Don't look at me, man. You think she's hilarious. This is all on you."
"This happened to me, you idiot."
