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His hand tightened around mine, and he pulled me deeper into his side. “Don’t know the details. I cut ties with them when I left at eighteen. My brother and sister came around a couple years ago lookin’ for money.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Were you close to them growing up?”
“I was, until I left. I would’ve given them money if they’d only asked. They didn’t just ask, though. They tried to blackmail me, threatening to tell the press how I grew up.”
He peered down at me, and I grinned back at him. “Did you tell them to go fuck themselves?”
He stopped walking entirely and stared at me without blinking for several hammering beats of my heart. “It’s fuckin’ adorable when you cuss. It doesn’t even make sense comin’ out of your sweet little mouth, but damn is it cute.”
He dipped down and touched his lips to mine. This time, he kissed me slowly, licking mycussin’ tongueand sucking on myadorable lips. When he let go, I chased him with my mouth until he was kissing me again, sighing in pure bliss.
“Yeah, Little Bird. I told them to go fuck themselves. I don’t care what anyone thinks of me.” He pecked my nose like he did before. “Except you.”
“Did they sell your story?”
“Nope. No way they wanted to call attention to themselves.”
The grocery store was in front of us, and my stomach dipped. I didn’t really want to say goodbye, but I needed to get going and shop for my kid.
“Well, I think you’re a good kisser and I like you.” I tugged on the strings of his hoodie. “You could dress warmer, though. I think that’s your biggest flaw.”
“I like you worryin’ about me.” He started for the door of the store, and I had no choice but to follow since he still had my hand tucked in his.
“You’re coming in?” I asked.
“Yeah. I’m takin’ my time with you where I can get it.”
Callum walked beside me while I pushed the cart, throwing in my usual produce and essentials. I hadn’t brought my own cart to get my bags back home, so this would have to be a lighter trip, which was just as well, since there was no way Callum actually wanted to be here. Although, he seemed pretty content to be with me, just as he’d said. Fortunately, he didn’t question me tossing in Ez’s favorite snacks and cereal. I would tell him soon, but not now. Not when I’d already told him so much and was just getting him back.
When I headed toward the register, Callum frowned. “This is all you’re buyin’?”
“Yeah. I didn’t want to bring my cart to the studio. But that’s fine, this will get us through a few days. Jenny can go during the week since her schedule’s more flexible.”
When I checked out, Callum tossed reusable shopping bags on the scanner without saying a word. They were the nice kind, canvas with thick handles. Out of my budget, but I didn’t protest. When the total came up at the end, he nudged me aside and shoved his credit card in the machine.
“Thank you.” I knocked my forehead on his arm. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“You’re welcome.” He tucked his card in his wallet, then pressed a kiss to my crown. “I did it because I wanted to. That’s all.”
“I know. It was very sweet of you.” I also had a feeling he’d hate it if I’d fought him on it, so I didn’t. It didn’t feel like he was giving me charity in that moment. I felt taken care of, and my chest was warm and fuzzy.
He took three of the bags, and I carried one. The lightest one, containing eggs and bread. We walked just as leisurely back to my house, holding hands and chatting a little, but mostly quietly being together. It was everything I’d wanted with him. The perfect dream dragged from my imagination to reality.
At my door, I turned to him and pushed up on my toes to kiss his chin since that was all I could reach. He placed the bags on my welcome mat and dropped down a step so we were more level.
“Is that better?” he asked.
“Yes.” I put my bag down beside his and looped my arms around his neck. “I still can’t believe I’m standing here with you.”
“I hope you know I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
“I hope you know I don’t want you to. I missed talking to you even more than I realized it. But honestly, this is better. I like seeing your face when I’m talking to you.”
His warm breath ghosted across my lips, then he gave me a light kiss. “I missed everything about you, Wren.”
“I need to go inside.”
He kissed me again, just as light. “Go.”
