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Cornell nods. “My first day on the job. The brothers took me out for a celebratory drink. You served us, didn’t you? So you work at the bar and Wells?”
“I do,” she affirms with a grin.
Brandi takes a step toward us. “You two should join us for dinner one night. Our two-year-old son, Lee, loves having someone new to play with, especially pretty girls.”
Calliope laughs. “Why don’t the three of you come to my apartment for dinner one night? I’ll invite the Durkmans, Mrs. Sweeney, and Mrs. Fields too.”
I tap her shoulder. “And?”
The smile she shoots in my direction could light up this entire city on the darkest night of the year. “And you too, Sean.”
“I’m there,” I say before anyone else can get a word in. “Name the day and time. I’ll be there.”
We lock eyes before she turns back to Cornell and Brandi. “It was nice to meet you both. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to meeting little Lee.”
“We’d go grab him now for a meet and greet, but he’s fast asleep. My mom is in town for a few days, so she’s standing guard over him.” Brandi smiles as she tugs a phone out of the back pocket of her jeans. “Let’s exchange numbers, Calliope.”
Calliope calls out her number.
If I hadn’t already looked it up in her employment file and added it to my phone’s contact list, I’d be doing that now.
“I’m going to call it a night,” Calliope says.
Since her keys are in one of the pockets of her dress, there’s no reason for her to go back to my apartment with me.
I reach out to catch her hand in mine. Not caring what anyone thinks, I bring it to my lips and plant a series of soft kisses on her fingertips. “Goodnight, Calliope.”
She stares into my eyes, studying me. Likely, trying to gauge what I’m thinking.
I wish I knew.
All I know for sure is that I’m looking forward to standing next to her on the sidewalk in the morning before we go to work.
I could look at her every day for the rest of my life, and each time, I’d see something in her eyes or something written within her expression that is new to me.
“Goodnight, Sean,” she whispers before she turns to walk away.
I keep my gaze trained on her until she disappears behind the door.
“Sean.” Brandi edges a fingertip into my shoulder. “That was fire. The way you kissed her hand, and oh my god, how she looked at you.”
“It’s how we looked at each other on our first date,” Cornell says, wrapping an arm around his wife’s waist.
“She’s…” My voice trails because I don’t have words.
I’m fucking tongue-tied after kissing Calliope.
“Yes, she is.” Brandi laughs. “I think we are witnessing the downfall of one of New York City’s most eligible bachelors.”
“That we are,” Cornell agrees with a curt nod. “Sean Wells just had his heart stolen.”
I laugh that off, patting the center of my chest as I do. “My heart is right here.”
They smile in a way that tells me they know I’m bullshitting them.
I’m far from being head over heels in love with Calliope, but that kiss wasn’t like anything I’ve experienced.
I’m craving more, so tomorrow morning, I plan on firming up a dinner date with my neighbor, so I can end the night with another kiss that rivals our first.
