13. Callie
Callie
I arrive at Olivia’s a little before 6:30, still mad at Blake but refusing to stay home and wallow. Besides, Blake is much more likely to track me down at home than come and cause a scene here.
Keeping it casual, I decided to wear a simple navy blue and white floor-length striped maxi dress with my tan wedge sandals and my favorite denim jacket. Not being in the mood to deal with the arduous task of washing and drying my thick hair this afternoon, I’d twisted it up into another messy bun, pulling a few tendrils free to frame my face. It was as good as it was going to get.
I knock on the door, careful not to drop the wine or the cheesecake I made for dessert.
“Callie, you made it. Come on in,” Olivia says when she answers, looking gorgeous in a black pencil skirt and a blood-red blouse. She snags the wine bottle from my hand and indicates for me to come inside.
“Thanks for having me. I made cheesecake too. I didn’t want to turn up empty-handed,” I explain shyly, following her into the brightly lit kitchen.
“Nonsense, you don’t have to worry about that, although I never say no to wine and cheesecake,” she tells me with a smile as her husband walks up behind her and plants a kiss on her cheek.
“Hey, Callie. Ooh, cheesecake.” He whips the plate out of my hands before I can even answer, making Olivia laugh.
“Cheesecake just happens to be Wade’s favorite. If you eat too much of it, honey, I’m not stitching your pants again,” she calls over to him, making him turn and glare at her.
“I feel like I’m missing something.” I laugh, sitting on the barstool beside Olivia.
“Yesterday, hot stuff over here, came home early because he ripped open the ass of his pants when he bent over.” She snorts, making me giggle along with her.
“They were old pants, Livvy. Besides, I don’t hear you complaining about my ass,” he remarks, acting affronted.
“I’m just reminding you that you’re not as young as you once were. Maybe you should lay off the sweet stuff for a while.” She winks at me to let me know she’s joking.
He turns his back to us and shakes his ass like a stripper working for tips, making me laugh so hard I almost slip off the stool.
“See, you couldn’t take your eyes off it. My ass is hypnotic, and don’t you forget it,” he yells, heading out of the kitchen. Olivia and I stare at each other in silence for a beat before roaring with laughter again.
“Okay, Callie, I have to come clean,” Olivia says when we finally get control of ourselves. “I got stuck with a client at work, and Wade has been on shift all day. Mia is having a sleepover at her uncle’s place, so I’m going to be a lazy host and order pizza. I hope that’s okay.”
“Who the heck says no to pizza? But you could have called and rescheduled. I wouldn’t have minded,” I admonish her.
“I know, but we’ve already had to reschedule twice. I was worried you were going to think we were avoiding you.”
I wave her off. “Don’t be silly. The thought never crossed my mind. I’m awesome if I do say so myself. Everyone likes me,” I say to her straight-faced as she smiles at me.
“Well, what’s not to like? Come on, I’ll show you to the living room, and you can tell Wade what pizza you like while I run upstairs and get changed.”
“Sounds good to me. Seriously though, don’t stress about the rest. Wade mentioned in passing that your law firm is down two lawyers and that things are crazy right now. If you ever need a hand with Mia or anything, just let me know. My job means I can be super flexible with my hours.”
“You’re a godsend. I’ll keep that in mind.” She squeezes my arm before leaving me in the sitting room while she goes to get changed.
Left alone, I wander around, checking out the large collection of photo frames lining the bookcase on the far side of the room.
There are pictures of Olivia standing outside what looks like a culinary school, and the law offices in town, scattered amongst wedding photos, and pictures of their gorgeous little girl Mia with all her curly hair blowing in the wind. So many photos are filled with laughter and smiles where everyone looks so happy that it makes my chest pang with envy. That’s what I want , I think wistfully. A family filled with love and laughter.
“My wife gets camera happy. I swear, every time I turn around, she’s taking a photo.”
I turn at the sound of Wade’s voice and offer him a soft smile. “She’s capturing memories. Tiny snapshots in time when you were your happiest. I can see the love in every photo here,” I tell him honestly.
He looks at the photos. “You’re right. I never looked at it like that before. You have a big family to take photos of?” he asks, his shrewd cop eyes making me squirm.
Nope, not going there, big guy. After the day I’ve had, I’m already feeling emotionally bruised.
“No, it’s just me now. Did you order dinner yet? Olivia said to let you know what I like.”
He knows I’m changing the subject, but he doesn’t call me on it, thankfully, which is just as well. I would feel like an utter headcase if I dissolved into tears in front of him.
“Nope, that’s what I’m about to do. Anything you don’t like?”
“I’m easy. Anything but anchovies, and I’ll be a happy bunny.”
“I’m on it. Sit, make yourself at home. I’ll go order and pour you a glass of wine.”
Now he’s speaking my language. He disappears just as Olivia walks around the corner, now wearing a pair of black yoga pants and a white T-shirt saying fuck tha police. I burst out laughing at the irony.
“Nice shirt,” I tease.
“It’s the one item of clothing I own that both turns my husband on and makes him cringe. What can I say? I have a warped sense of humor,” she laughs.
“If I had known it was a yoga pants party, I’d have worn mine.” I pout, tucking my legs up under me on the sofa, arranging the material of my dress to cover myself.
“You should have. Not gonna lie, if I didn’t have guests, I would have whipped my bra off and pulled my ratty sweats on,” she tells me conspiratorially, knowing I would have been the same way at home.
We chat about nothing in particular until Wade comes back with the wine, letting us know that pizza is on its way.
“I thought you might bring Blake with you this evening?” Wade questions, sitting on the sofa next to Olivia, who immediately curls into his side.
“I wasn’t sure he’d get his stupid giant head through the door,” I grumble before sighing when I see Wade smirk. “We had a disagreement. We’ll figure it out, but I thought it would be better to put some space between us before either of us said something we’d regret.” I take a sip of wine, hoping that will be the end of it.
“So, how are you liking Tempest so far?”
Relief washes over me at the lifeline Olivia throws me. “I love it,” I answer quickly, happy to change the subject away from Blake and my tattered heart. “I wasn’t sure small-town living would agree with me. I’ve always liked having the ability to get lost in a crowd and being in a place where nobody knew who I was. But this place felt like home the moment I passed the welcome sign. I can’t really explain it.”
“Actually, I think you explained it perfectly. I left for a while myself. Needed something bigger and better, but this place is home to me or, at least, the people in it are.” She lifts her head and smiles at her husband before turning back to me.
“Why Tempest, though? We have our fair share of tourists, but not many people relocate here permanently, especially from big cities,” Wade probes.
Did I say I was from a big city? Shit. I can’t remember. I swallow the bile rushing up my throat as I contemplate lying. He’s a cop, he’ll know , a little voice taunts. But god, I just want pizza and wine, not the third-degree. Maybe I could leave early. It wouldn’t be a lie if I told them I was feeling a little sick.
“Callie, ignore him. He’s slipped into cop mode. Wade, stop interrogating our guest. I would like for her to come back one day, thanks,” Oliva states drolly, making Wade roll his eyes.
I chuckle, but it’s more forced than before.
“Sorry,” he apologizes. “Occupational hazard.”
“It’s okay.” I blow out a shaky breath, deciding to give them a little. “Once upon a time, I lived not too far from here. My parents… they had some issues, and I spent some time in a shelter over in Wellington.” I watch Wade swallow hard as Olivia slips her fingers through his.
“Anyway, I was having a crappy time adjusting, and then I met a little girl who told me about this place. She said Tempest was where her hero lived, and I still remember that all these years later. When I was looking for somewhere to stay and saw Tempest on the map, it seemed like serendipity. Besides, everyone needs a hero sometimes, right?” I didn’t mean to add the last part. When I look up, I notice Wade’s eyes look wet, and Olivia has gone a little pale.
“Are you okay?” Shit, I’m so bad at this peopling bullshit. This is why I don’t leave the house unless I’m forced to.
“What was the little girl’s name, can you remember?” Wade asks, his voice cracking a little at the end. I frown at his odd reaction, feeling like I’m missing something, but I answer him anyway.
“Her name was Rose,” I tell him softly, remembering the pretty little girl with the shadows in her eyes. “It was her––”
“Mother’s favorite flower,” Wade finishes.
Olivia sniffs and wipes a tear from her face as Wade takes a deep stuttering breath. I don’t know what’s happening here, but I know it’s something big. Cops don’t get emotional at the drop of a hat unless—well, fuck.
“You’re Rose’s hero, aren’t you?”