seen him. The memory of the mixture of emotions in the little boy’s eyes—especially the heartbreak—helped him steel his heart.
He never wanted to see that expression on Callie’s face.
‘It’s just been a long day, that’s all.’
She looked at him for a while, and then moved her hands to her lap. ‘So, is this “being open” you reminded me of earlier something that only I have to follow?’
Though his heart tightened at the emotion in her voice, he ignored it. He was doing the only thing that would protect both of them. ‘Look, there really isn’t anything going on. I’ve just had a long day, and I still need to get things done. I was thinking about that.’ He tried to smile, but knew he was failing miserably at it.
‘Fine. If that’s what you’re going with.’
She picked up her bag and got out of the car, but the tiny moment of relief Blake felt was shattered when she slammed the door shut.
‘Callie.’
He got out quickly, not knowing what he could say—not when he wanted space to think about everything—yet he needed her to be okay with him.
‘Please.’
She stopped on the first step of the path up to her house and then turned to him. He knew the hurt in her eyes was a picture that would stay with him through the night.
‘Look, if you need time to work through whatever’s going on, that’s fine. But don’t lie to me about it.’
He walked towards her, but stuffed the hands that itched to take hers into his pockets.
‘Okay.’ He paused, then exhaled slowly. ‘I need time.’
She nodded. ‘Okay.’ She kissed his cheek and walked to her house, shutting the door after a slight wave.
And for a long time afterwards Blake stood outside her house, thinking about the choice he needed to make and why he needed to make it.
IT WAS FINALLY FRIDAY, the day was gorgeous, and the final arrangements for the gala event were going well.
It was being held on the Elegance’s rooftop—an idea Callie had had after she and Blake had gone for the tasting. It had taken some planning—and a lot of convincing—to change the venue so soon before the event, but as she looked around she was glad she’d managed it.
Pillars stood at each corner of the rooftop, with mini-lanterns draped between them. A stage had been set up at one end, adorned with light. The band they’d hired were setting up there, and any speeches during the evening would be made from it. Tables had been set around the centre of the roof, with white flower centrepieces and napkins on black tablecloths, leaving space for a dance floor. The food would be plated, there was a bar up and ready, and the bustle of the staff doing the final touches should have given Callie a sense of accomplishment.
Except that as she stood there, looking at everything, she wasn’t feeling anything except dread.
All she’d been able to think about for the last few days was the way Blake had decided to take her home after the dinner they’d had at his house. The way he’d lied to her about what was bothering him. And although she told herself to be patient, although she reassured herself that he would tell her when he was ready, every time she saw him the feeling of dread deepened.
Because somehow she knew he was slipping away from her.
She’d tried to brush it off at first as paranoia. He wasn’t acting differently around her—at least not on the surface. But her heart knew that there were no more lingering looks, no more affectionate touches. Those had been replaced with smiles that had no depth and words that didn’t say what he meant. She’d hidden the hurt, hidden the concern, and waited in vain for him to tell her what was wrong.
And the wait was breaking her.
‘It’s amazing.’
She turned to see Blake surveying the area. He offered her a smile, and again she was struck by how different it was.
‘Yeah, I can’t believe we actually pulled it off.’ She looked around again, and then returned his smile tentatively. ‘I think it’s going to be a success.’
He nodded, and she saw something flash across his eyes.
And then he said, ‘Shouldn’t you be busy with your hair? We only have four more hours until the event. You’re cutting it close.’
She tilted her head, trying to figure out his mood. ‘No, I have my things downstairs. I’ll get ready once I’m sure everything is done up here.’
He stuffed his hands into his pockets. ‘I was joking, Callie.’
‘Were you?’ She shrugged, ignoring the pain in her heart. ‘I can’t seem to tell with you lately.’
‘Look,’ he said, and then took a deep breath.
He stood in silence for a moment—his hands still in his pockets, his face tense—and Callie felt her nails cutting into her hands as she clenched her fists, waiting for him.
‘Did you say you have your things downstairs?’
‘What?’
‘You don’t have an afternoon of pampering planned after this week?’
‘No, Blake, I don’t.’ She brushed off the irritability that threatened. ‘I didn’t have time to make the appointments this week nor do I want to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a new dress—’
‘You don’t have a dress to wear tonight?’ he interrupted her.
‘Of course I do,’ she said defensively. ‘It’s just not new. It’s one of my mom’s. But what does that have to do with anything?’
Callie was ashamed of the desperation that coated her tone.
He looked at her for a few moments, and then pulled out his phone, his fingers speeding over the screen. A ‘ping’ sounded almost immediately, and he nodded and put it back into his pocket. Then he looked at her, and something in his eyes softened her heart.
‘Would you come with me?’
His voice was hesitant, as though he wasn’t quite sure of what she was going to say. That, combined with the look in his eyes, made her insides crumble, and she took the hand he offered. Even though everything inside her wanted to say no, wanted to ask him why he was allowing this uncertainty to eat at them, she let him lead her down the stairs.
And felt hopeless when the thought that she would follow him anywhere flitted through her mind.
They didn’t speak when they reached the parking garage, and she waited for him as he moved to open the car door for her. But his hand stilled on the handle and he stepped back.
‘What’s
