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I shake my head. “I didn’t tell you this to get you to be sorry.”
“I know that. But I can’t help it. I can’t even imagine what it must have been like.”
“Please don’t even try. I can’t bear the thought of you experiencing even a tiny bit of it.”
“If I could take it all away from you and bear it myself, I would.”
“But that’s exactly what I don’t want. I wish I could bear your pain.”
“I suppose neither of us can do that. But you don’t have to bear it alone. I will always be here for you.”
I reach toward her, let her soft hair sift through my fingers. “You’re so beautiful, Callie. And I’m not even talking about this silky hair of yours, those amazing fiery eyes, that delectable ass that won’t quit.”
She smiles.
“I’m talking about everything inside you. Your good heart, your soul, everything about you.”
“You’re beautiful too,” she says. “Your brilliance, everything.”
I pull her toward me, inhale the sweet fragrance of her hair. “You know it all now. The good, the bad, and the ugly.”
“If I could change it for you, I would,” she says. “But you’re the man I love, and everything you’ve been through has made you into that.”
“I know exactly what you mean.” I kiss the top of her head. “I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through too. But it’s made you strong, Callie. Strong and brilliant and a force to be reckoned with. You’re going to be a hell of a lawyer.”
She stiffens then.
I pull back a bit. Raise my eyebrows.
“About law school…”
“What about it? You can go wherever you want. Money is no object anymore. You can start next semester, as you planned.”
“But…you’re the city attorney here now. Your mom is retiring. You can’t leave Snow Creek, and there’s no law school anywhere near here.”
“I know, baby. I can’t bear the thought of being apart from you either. I guess we’re going to have to talk about online law school.”
Her lips turn downward slightly. “I know. It’s never been what I wanted, but it’s a small sacrifice to make to be Mrs. Donovan Steel.”
“You’ll still be Mrs. Donovan Steel if you go to law school in Denver. You can be here on the weekends.”
She shakes her head vehemently. “Oh, no. You are not getting rid of me that easily. I can’t be apart from you. And I’m not giving up law school. So online it will be.”
“Thank God.” Relief swells within me. “I would have supported you, but I can’t stand the thought of being away from you.”
She leans upward and brushes her lips across mine. “I know. That’s why I love you, my beautiful, gorgeous man.”
I grab her then, crush my mouth to hers.
Yeah…we’re not going back to the party anytime soon.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
CALLIE
As we kiss, Donny walks me backward toward his bed.
I push at him and break the passionate kiss. “Donny, the party. Your parents. My parents.”
