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“Apparently, she let him get away with everything. I’m surprised he’s turned out the way he has. He could have become so bratty with the way he was raised,” Paris fills me in.
“Tyler’s a little bratty,” I say. I’ve witnessed Luke’s brother pull some really bratty stunts, but for all that, he’s still a good guy.
Paris nods. “Yeah, he is. He’s lucky his father pulls him into line when needed.”
Luke joins us with a plate of pancakes and Sean jumps off the stool to come sit at the table. As we all sit and shovel pancakes onto our plates while laughing and joking, I feel a sense of belonging I’ve never felt. This is all new to the four of us, and I’m not really a part of their family yet, but I feel a little like I’m home.
About halfway through breakfast, Paris remarks to Luke, “You really need to come up with a better design for the backyard. I wanted to lounge on the sunbed while Sean was playing in the sandpit yesterday, but they’re too far away from each other. We need something near his swing and sandpit for me to be able to lie down and read while he’s playing.”
“You designed your backyard?” I ask, eyeing Luke. I explored a little out there last night. He has an awesome setup for Sean on one side of the yard and an area that looks like an adult’s retreat on the other side. Between the two is an immaculate lawn and well cared for plants.
“Luke’s an architect,” Paris declares.
His eyes meet mine. I hope my complete surprise isn’t showing. “I didn’t know that.”
“He’s won stacks of awards and worked for one of the best firms in Australia,” she says, her pride in her brother clear.
“Did you give up your job to take on the bar?”
He nods. “I was already contemplating a change when Dad left me the bar. I think that’s why he left it to me in his will rather than to both of us—”
Paris cuts in, “I told him I didn’t want it.” She turns to me. “Dad left me his car and his bike instead. I didn’t want them either, but he insisted I should get something. Told me to sell them and put the cash towards my study, so I did.”
“Why were you contemplating a career change?” I ask Luke.
“The pay was awful for the level I was stuck at and my boss, who started out great, had begun to stifle my creativity.”
Paris cuts in again. “He was just jealous of your success with your clients. His designs were so out-dated and lacked the fresh appeal yours did.”
Luke finishes off his p
ancakes and shoves his plate to the side. “Well, either I had to suck it up or find a new firm to move to. I was just starting to think about all that when Dad died.”
“Do you miss it?” I ask.
He doesn’t have to think about that. “Yeah, I do. It’s why I muck about with the yard.”
Sean finishes his breakfast and says, “May I please be excused?”
“Yes, but we need to wash your hands first,” Luke says.
Before he can stand, Paris does. “I’ll do it. Leave you two to have some time alone.”
After they leave us, I reach for Luke’s hand. “You have this whole other life I know nothing of. I can’t wait to learn all about it.”
He shakes his head. “That stuff’s all in the past, Callie. I just want to focus on the future.” His voice thickens, and his eyes turn hard while he speaks. His shoulders tense, and I sense a complete mood change in him.
I take in this gorgeous man sitting in front of me. He's broken. Everything pouring out of him right now tells me that. As I watch him, I realise something. I’ve had one relationship that lasted a couple of years and I thought I knew what love was, but now I know I didn’t. Because although I’m still falling in love with Luke, what I feel for him already is more than anything I’ve ever felt in my life.
I want to spend my days making him happy.
I want to fill my time laughing with him.
I want to love him so hard that he begins to believe in life again.
But more than anything, I want to take those broken pieces and bandage him back together.
I want to swathe his wounds with love.
