Page 40 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Chapter Ten

Callie walked by Nate’s side among the pine and spruce trees in an area Nate had called Brewster’s Forest. Breathtaking greenery and classic autumn scenery were all around as birds sang high overhead. Twigs snapped beneath their feet on the cool, cloudy morning—an amazing backdrop for pictures, yet Callie left the Nikon dangling around her neck. She wanted to enjoy the journey. For the last half hour she’d tried, but so far she wasn’t having much luck.

Nate gave her fingers a squeeze. “You’re quiet today.”

“I’m soaking it all in.” And she was still struggling to find a way to tell him that what happened last night couldn’t happen again.

“Gwen called me a couple of minutes before I came to pick you up.”

“Oh?”

“She and Liam are finally back in town. They’re having a bonfire tonight—small and fairly early. Probably one of the last of the season now that the temperatures seem to be cooling off. I thought we could make an appearance if you’re up for it. Gwen wants to meet you.”

She stopped in her tracks.

Nate stopped next to her and frowned. “Are you okay?”

“Nate, I really like you,” she blurted out.

His frown deepened. “Uh-oh.”

She shook her head. “I really like you,” she repeated. “So much. Probably more than I should—”

“Callie—”

She shook her head more adamantly, determined to do what was right. “I think we made a mistake last night.”

He dropped her hand and rubbed at the back of his neck, then at his jaw as he sighed. “I spooked you—moved too fast.”

“No.”

“What would you call it, then?”

“You’re a good man, far too good for a fling that can’t go anywhere.”

“Why can’t it go anywhere?”

“Because I can’t stay here and you have to.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “I don’t really know what to say.”

She was hurting him, but it was better now than later. “I’m sorry. You’re already so important to me—so special. I just—I think this is the best way for you and me both.”

“This is what you want?”

“Yes.” She looked down at the ground, realizing it wasn’t easy to lie while she stared into his gorgeous blue eyes. “I want us to be friends, though. I hope we can still hang out together sometimes.” She peeked up from under her lashes, trying to gauge his silence.

“So, we’re not going to date but we can still be friends?”

She looked up when his tone was affable and she smiled her relief. “Yes. Absolutely.”

“Yeah. Sure.”

She exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and tried to reassure herself that eventually she would be glad she righted this wrong. “Oh, God.” She pressed her hand to her pounding heart. “I was afraid you were going to be more upset.”

“Nah,” he said, shrugging and giving a little shake of his head.

Her smile faltered at his nonchalance before she turned up the wattage on her grin. “Great.” She turned and started walking. She’d lain awake all night, agonizing over her decision. She shouldn’t have bothered because Nate couldn’t care less.