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But she held her ground.
“You’re beautiful, Bee,” Cal said. “I can tell my friend that, right? Because honesty is important in friendships. Besides, every woman deserves her own wedding dress.”
Steph had no words. She hadn’t known Cal was so sentimental. He was also willing to put in a full day’s labor for one ofherfriends. In addition to watching overhergrandpa. What else would she learn about him before the day was up?
“Should I order pizza?” Lydia said somewhere in the background.
But Steph was still watching Cal. “Are you flirting with me?”
“No, I’m speaking the truth.” He touched the brush to the gazebo and painted over a streak. “Take it how you will.”
Steph watched him paint for a few more minutes, touching up here and there. The conversations around the yard had become indistinguishable buzzing. All she could focus on was Cal. They weren’t speaking, but they didn’t need to. Steph felt comfortable enough with him to be around him and not talk. Not fill the silence with mindless chatter.
“See any other spots that need attention?” he asked after several moments.
Steph moved her gaze to the gazebo. “I don’t. It’s all excellent for a single day’s work.”
He set the paintbrush down and turned toward her. “So, I had a client call earlier today, and I have a job that will run all next week and probably into the weekend.”
Steph nodded, thinking immediately how that meant she wouldn’t see him for a while. “Sounds important.”
“Yeah.” Cal looked past her, then met her gaze. “The guys sort of invited me to the wedding—nothing official, of course. But I’m not going to jump in the middle of your thing.”
“It’s fine with me, if that’s what you’re asking. I’ll be there as a bridesmaid, and it would be fun to see you.” Steph was surprised, but she wasn’t surprised. Cal had gotten to know Ian and Austin today. She’d invited him to the barbecue last weekend. Cal might be considering her friends his friends now. She’d analyze how she felt about that later.
“Great,” he said, his expression brightening. “I should be able to make it. The job will be wrapped up by then.”
Steph nodded, her mind going to what Cal looked like dressed up in a suit. She had no complaints about him completely casual, of course.
He was still watching her—what else did he want to say? What he asked next could not have been predicted.
“Are you bringing a date?”
“What? No …” She felt her neck heat. In seconds, she’d be blushing. “I’m not dating anyone. You know that.”
Cal nodded, the edge of his mouth lifting. “Just checking.”
Then her stomach felt like it dropped a foot. “Why, are you bringing a date? I’m sure it would be fine with Everly and Austin.”
He tilted his head. “Are you blushing?”
“No,” she said immediately, maybe too fast.
“I’m not bringing a date, Steph,” Cal said. “Unless you want to be my date, but I already know the answer.”
She opened her mouth, then wisely closed it.
“Maybe I can bring Pops if you’re busy doing …” He waved a hand. “Bridesmaid stuff.”
Steph blinked. Sometimes she wanted to stomp on Cal’s foot for being such a great guy. How was he so great and still single?
“How about we cross that bridge later?” she said, because she was feeling overwhelmed now. “There’s a lot of changes happening, but I don’t know the exact details of the wedding day.”
“Fair enough,” Cal said stiffly, and moved to pick up the paint cans.
Steph wondered if she’d said something wrong. Couldn’t he just be a guest at the wedding? Did he always have to be Mr. Helpful? “Thanks for helping out my friends today,” she said, hoping to see his smile, or something more.
He merely nodded. “No problem.” Then he moved past her, carrying the paint cans.
