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He kept his hands at her waist as he glanced at the dark TV and the couch. “Tempting, but I need to take a rain check. I have to talk to Rachel—before she leaves for the night shift—about a pretty big favor.”
“Oh?” Steph’s brows rose. “What’s that?”
“Well …” He paused. “Maybe we should sit down for a minute.”
“Okay …” She sat on the couch, and he joined her.
“I was going to wait to tell you until after I talked to Rachel, but I’m thinking of leaving private investigating, and going back to my roots.”
Steph’s eyes widened. “You mean the renovation stuff you talked about?”
“Exactly,” Cal said, his pulse thrumming. She seemed surprised, but not opposed … “Despite what happened with my dad, and how everything fell apart, working with Pops on things reminded me of how much I love to build and create. Private investigating keeps me away too much, and I don’t want to be out of town when I can do something else I love and be closer to home.”
Steph’s brows tugged together. “Do you have leads already in Grandin?”
“No … I have leads here,” he said in a soft voice. “I put in a few calls to references Pops gave me. There’s plenty of opportunity in Everly Falls with the older homes that are being bought and sold. Small job upgrades are harder for a larger construction company to take time to do, so I’ll fill that niche.”
“And move to Everly Falls?” Steph asked, the hope plain in her voice.
“Yes—if you think it’s a good idea.”
“Why would you needmyapproval?”
Cal held her gaze. “Because there’s no reason for me to live here if you didn’t want me here.”
Steph’s smile was slow. “Well, you have my full support. Now come over here and kiss me.”
She wasn’t very far, and it didn’t take much effort to tug her close and kiss her. Steph’s curves pressed against him, and her warmth surrounded him. His mind started turning hazy, so it was probably good that Pops called out, “Can someone bring me a drink of water? My feet are done for,” or else Cal might have missed talking to Rachel before the night shift after all.
Steph slowly extracted herself from him, a coy smile on her face. “I’m being summoned.”
“You are … I should get going, though.” He rose from the couch and pulled her along with him.
She stepped into his arms, and he drew her close, just breathing her in for a moment.
“Is anyone there?” Pops called out.
“Coming!” Steph smirked. “Don’t be a stranger,” she whispered, and kissed him once more.
That wouldn’t be a problem.
After Cal reluctantly released her, he headed out of the house, pulling the door firmly behind him. His step felt lighter than it had in weeks, probably years. The autumn night air was crisp but not too cold. He inhaled the scent of leaves and let the coolness wash over him. His mind buzzed with plans … He hoped to get Rachel’s agreement, but if not, he’d find another living situation.
After climbing into his car, excitement pulsed through him as he drove through the neighborhoods of Everly Falls—a place soon to be his home.
One Month Later
STEPH LOOKED IN THE MIRROR, trying to see what Cal might see when he picked her up. She wore a dark red dress, black boots, and she’d done her hair in a loose chignon. Something he might tug out later. She smiled to herself, letting warmth buzz through her. Some days, she wondered if Cal was too good to be true, or if her life was too good to be true. No, nothing was perfect, but it felt pretty near perfect.
She still had to talk herself out of her old thought patterns of not allowing herself to just be, to just enjoy, to just be grateful. Cal was hers, and he was here to stay. No, it wasn’t like they were engaged or anything, but she’d never felt so permanent with another person before.
And she was determined to enjoy the evening with her boyfriend.
“Boyfriend,” she said to the mirror. “I officially have a boyfriend.”
It sounded cheesy when she said it aloud, but the phrase sent goose bumps skittering across her skin. “I officially have a boyfriend, and I think I love him.”
She paused, and watched as her skin flushed. Did she love him? The color of her skin was saying yes, but she didn’t need it to tell her what she felt. Tellinghimwas a different story, of course, but maybe that would happen someday.
