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“Thanks.” I smile at him and something lights up in his eyes when he sees me smile.
It lights something up in me too, but I need to smother it down and it seems to be working, until he says, “You’ve grown into a stunning woman, Calliope. You’re glowing in the sunshine.”
“Thanks,” I mutter and I can feel my cheeks heating at this compliment. Then I internally berate myself,If I say thanks once more, I’m going to punch myself.This man has a way of twisting me up and seeing him in the flesh here in New York has reignited the crush I have on him, but I will admit, bumping into him has eased my nerves a little for my date with Seth.
“Well, I better let you get to your date.”
“Okay, thanks.”Dammit, Cali.“Mr. H, it was good to see you.”
We step toward one another and he wraps his arms around me for a goodbye hug and surprising me, he leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. My breath hitches when his lips touch my skin. Closing my eyes, I savor the moment, but all too quickly, his arms are no longer around me and he’s pulling away.
In the middle of a busy New York City street, we stare at one another. A silence falls between us, it’s not awkward per se, but it’s not completely comfortable either. “Bye, Mr. H,” I whisper, adding a finger wave before I step around him and head toward the coffee shop to meet Seth.
Those nerves from before are back, but this time it’s because of the man I’m walking away from and not because of the man I’m walking toward.
ChapterFour
“Thanks, Holly, I appreciate all your assistance in hooking me up with Alexandra.” And I mean every word, in one meeting, I feel confident that Bitchifer and I will soon be divorced. Alexandra Woolley is a take no-holds-barred divorce attorney and with her now on my team, it will be smooth sailing to Divorceville.
“Anytime, Mr. Heatherington.” Holly raises her hand to stop me. “And yes, I know you told me to call you Kane, but I was told to address my elders with respect and if I don’t, my momma would have my ass.”
“Less of the elders and I’ll allow it.”
“Deal.” She smiles and offers me her hand. “Now, get out of here and let Alex get you divorced.”
“Five nicest words you’ve ever spoken to me, Holly.”
“No, the nicest five will be when Alex says ‘congrats, you are officially divorced.’”
“I stand corrected.” I nod. “Thank you again, Holly, I really do appreciate it.”
“You won’t be saying that when you get her bill.” She winks at me. “Now, go explore the city and leave me in peace.”
Nodding, I wave goodbye and exit her office, passing through reception and stepping into the waiting elevator. Pressing the button for the lobby, I lean against the wall and think over my meeting just now. I’m glad to have Alex and Holly on my team now, but I’m still betting that Bitchifer will contest it. Alex has a few ideas up her sleeve, if that occurs, but I’m pretty sure our divorce will be dragged through the courts and be decided by a judge.
This has gone on for too long now, I just want it over. I will never take her back after what she’s done to our kids. Sure, walk away from me but not them. And her comment about wanting my hotel, that was the final straw. Alex has advised me to only communicate via text or e-mail now, so everything can be documented.
Stepping out onto the street, I’m met with the sounds of horns blaring, people everywhere, and that big city smell. I can’t wait to get back to Silverbell Shore; give me my quiet, ocean-smelling small town any day.
Someone bumps into me and when I reach out, I’m hit with the most stunning smell. It’s familiar and when they lift their head, I stare into the beautiful hazel eyes of the one and only Calliope Fischer.
In the middle of the busy street, we silently stare at one another and something passes between us, but it’s quickly broken when she pulls herself out of my grip. We discuss the hotel and the fact that she’s on her way to a date. An irrational anger begins to simmer at the idea of her out with a boy, but what shocks me the most is how beautiful she is. She really has grown into an extremely attractive young woman … and then I realize I’m checking out my best friend’s daughter.
Shaking off that thought, I school the smile on my face and then we joke about her dad killing him … and me, if he ever found out what I was just thinking now about his princess.
“Well, I’ll let you get to your date.”
“Thanks.” Her smile widens farther when I mention her date and that feeling of rage reappears, but it dissipates when we hug each other goodbye and it morphs into something else. Something that leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy. Something that I should not be feeling toward this woman.
We hold on to each other for longer than is appropriate, and without thinking, I press my lips to her forehead and kiss her. It was only meant to be in a platonic ‘your dad is my best friend’ kind of way but as soon as my lips touched her skin, my body came alive. My heart kick-started to life, I haven’t felt a jolt like this in a very long time, but quickly I pull away because it’s Calliope.
She says another goodbye and then she’s turning away from me and heading off to her date.
Standing on the sidewalk, I watch her walk away. “What the fuck was that?” I mumble to myself as she disappears into the crowd. She looks over her shoulder and even though we’re on a packed street, her gaze connects with mine. It feels like it’s just the two of us, she finger waves again and I keep my eyes on her retreating form until I can’t see her anymore. When she’s out of sight, I shake my head, clearing the inappropriate train of thoughts currently playing in my mind.
I cannot go there.
I will not go there.
