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Ididwant to stay.
But I also wanted to go back to Cal’s. His place was like a cocoon. It had come to represent safety. I liked being in his space because it gave me a glimpse of him. The inner sanctum, everyday him. I understood him in some way when I was at his apartment and I hadn’t even snooped yet.
“I would.”
He nodded without argument.
Lincoln approached with Muffy on his heels. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes.”
It was Cal’s turn to look confused. “I thought we were staying here.”
“We are.” I flicked my chin toward my brother. “Lincoln is going with me to get my things.”
“No.”
The simple word held so much power, it rattled me.
I nudged Lincoln. “Guess we should’ve made that lunch pit stop after all.” He and I had decided it was best not to have Lexie or Eric anywhere near our father’s home. We didn’t want him to shatter any of Eric’s innocence or try to taint Lexie in any way.
Cal seemed to get taller and bigger. “You were going without telling me?”
“I’m pleased to see you take your role as husband quite seriously.”
I looked at Lincoln incredulously. He stared back.
“I thought you said it was kind of nice not having any stuff?” Cal challenged.
“It’s become a matter of principle.” I shrugged and looked down at my dress. “As much as I love Lexie’s clothes, it occurred to me earlier that you’ve probably ripped all of them off her, and no offense”—I smiled sweetly at my brother—“it gives me a little bit of an icky feeling.” I shuddered.
A secretive curve shaped his lips. “That was probably a good revelation.”
“I’ll drive,” Cal said.
“You aren’t going,” I fired back.
“The hell I’m not. Did you not hear me when I said you weren’t going anywhere near that son of a bitch again?”
The entire room fell silent. Even the dogs stilled for a moment.
“There’s just something about firemen,” Miss Adeline said with an appreciative glance in Cal’s direction. Pepper elbowed her.
“Oh, I heard you,” I said, my temper rising. “Just because we’re married on paper doesn’t mean you get to tell me what to do.”
Cal inhaled deeply and sucked in his cheeks like he was praying for calm and the strength to hold his tongue.
His gaze seared me. “It doesn’t matter if we’re married with lollipop rings or rings dripping with diamonds, I made vows and I’m keeping them.”
My breath hitched. That could’ve been the nicest thing anyone had ever said to me.
“Honey, if you can resist that, you’re the strongest woman in the world.” Miss Adeline fanned herself.
Well, I wasn’t.
“Let’s go.” I glided to the front door with purposeful strides.
“Where are you going?” Teague asked.
