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“Of course.”
When she took a seat on the sofa, I sat beside her.
“There are a lot of things I need to tell you.”
And I didn’t want to hear any of it. I had to, though. I had to man up. Calla came all this way. The least I could do was allow her to let me down gently. I steeled my shoulders. “Go ahead.”
“What I did at the party, I’m so sorry. I was just so stunned, so overwhelmed I didn’t know what to do, how to handle it.”
“I understand. Receiving something from Beau had to have been quite a shock.” I looked at the necklace she wore. I’d never seen it before. “Was that in the box?” I asked.
“It was.”
“It’s beautiful.”
She touched it with her fingertips. “It’s very special to me.”
I nodded, unsure what to say.
“Maeve found me. She took me to the Hammered Dubliner—her and Hammer’s ranch. She was with me when I opened it.”
“I’m glad you weren’t alone, Calla.”
“I’m sorry it couldn’t be you with me. I just…”
When her eyes filled with tears, I embraced her. “I understand. You don’t need to explain.”
She nodded and pulled away, although our arms and legs still touched.
“After I opened Beau’s gift and read the message enclosed with the necklace, I came to a realization.”
“That you can’t be with me. I won’t force you to say it. It’s what I expected.”
Her eyes bored into mine. “You’re wrong.”
“What do you mean?”
“I asked Maeve—the universe—why I had to receive Beau’s gift now. Why it came when I had already mourned him and was ready to move on.”
“Did the universe answer?”
“No, I don’t know, maybe. Maeve did. She asked me what I was feeling. She asked if, along with profound sadness, I also felt guilt. I told her I did.”
“Why, sweetheart? Over me? God, don’t. I’ll admit it hurts. I…care deeply for you. But I’m a big boy. At least in height. I’ll get over it. Eventually.”
“Is that all? Do you just care deeply for me?”
“Calla…”
“I need to know, Spider.”
I closed my eyes momentarily. Would admitting my true feelings hurt more than I already did? Maybe, but she’d asked, and I’d tell her. “I love you, Calla.”
“I love you, Spider…Corbin…Spider.”
I smiled. “Spider works. But?”
She shook her head. “That’s all. I love you.”
