AllFreeNovel
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Kneeling as she looked through a selection of copper lanterns, Callie smiled up at her sister. “I forgave you long ago—the day I named my daughter.”
Sami’s young face was dubious. “But if you forgave me, why didn’t you write back?”
Callie straightened, frowning. “You wrote? When?”
“Lots of times! I even sent flowers! But other than the day Marisol was born, when you called us, we never heard a word. Not me, not Brandon, not even Mom and Dad!”
Callie gaped at her. “I wrote you letters every week! I sent hundreds of pictures!”
“We never got anything.”
A shiver of ice went down Callie’s spine. “Strange,” she said faintly then tried to push it away with a smile. “But it doesn’t matter anymore, does it?”
“We were worried about you,” Sami said softly, clawing back her hair. “I’m glad you at least called us from the hospital when Marisol was born. Brandon arrived two days later and was so upset. He made it sound as if you’d been, well—” she bit her lip “—kidnapped.”
Callie looked at her. “Have you been spending a lot of time with Brandon?”
Sami’s cheeks turned pink. “Yeah.”
“You’re in love with him.” It was a statement, not a question.
Sami stared at her then burst into tears. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, wiping her eyes. “I’ve loved him for years.” She tried to smile. “All the time that he loved you.”
Callie shook her head. “I keep telling people—Brandon and I are just friends!”
Sami gave a hoarse laugh. “Man, you’re dumb. Just as dumb as he was.”
“Was? Have you told Brandon how you feel?”
“Not yet.” Sami looked away. “I’m scared. We’ve spent a lot of time together lately, ice skating, looking at the stars, running errands. Whatever.” She shivered beneath the fading afternoon sun of the Marrakech market. “Once, I almost thought he was going to kiss me. Then he turned away and started talking about you.”
“He did?” Guilt went through Callie. “He must hate me.”
“He hates Eduardo. Not you.”
“Then why didn’t he ever write me?” Callie whispered.
Sami looked at her as if she were crazy. “He did. I know he did. He showed me the letters.”
The strange feeling went through Callie again, a dark cloud like a shadow over the sun. How was it possible that her family hadn’t gotten any of her letters? Or that Callie hadn’t gotten any of theirs?
Pushing the thought away, she turned back to Sami, putting her hand on her shoulder. She said firmly, “You should tell him how you feel.”
Sami’s eyes lit up then faded. “But what if he’s not interested? What if he just laughs at me?”
“He won’t.”
“Yeah, but what if he does?”
“Life is short. Don’t waste another day. Call him. Call him now.”
“You’re right.” Sami stared at her then suddenly hugged her tight. “Thank you, Callie.” Pulling away, she wiped her eyes. “I’ll go back to the house. And call him in private. Oh,” she breathed, wiping her shaking hands on her jeans, “am I really going to do this?”
“Sergio!” Callie called, wiping tears from her own eyes as she waved the bodyguard over. “Please take my sister back to the house.”
“And you, Mrs. Cruz,” Sergio Garcia said, his expression a smooth mask.
“I haven’t finished my shopping.”
