38. Cal
CAL
I ’m thrilled to see Margot again. Even though she hasn’t said a word.
She’s just standing there, frozen in the doorway, her hand still curled around the doorknob. But I don’t mind. I’d take this silence over a thousand conversations with anyone else. Just being in the same room with her again feels like breathing after being underwater.
I take a slow step toward her. Then another.
“Hi,” I say softly, like a question, like a prayer.
She clears her throat, blinking rapidly. “Hello. Cal… what are you doing here?”
I smile—nervous, hopeful, wrecked. “I came for you.”
Her expression shifts, flickers. She doesn’t move. Doesn’t run either. That’s something.
“I love you, Margot,” I say. No preamble. No games. “And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make this work. You were right to be angry. I should’ve told you everything. From the beginning. But I didn’t want to be a billionaire to you. I just wanted to be yours.”
She doesn’t say anything, but her eyes soften, just a little.
I take a breath. “I’m sorry for lying. Truly. It was cowardly, and it hurt you, and I swear to you it will never happen again.”
Two more slow steps toward her.
“My life has been miserable without you,” I say, my voice low and rough.
“Two weeks without you, Margot. I can’t go another day.
Please…” I step closer, close enough to see the flicker of emotion in her eyes, even if she’s trying to hide it.
“Please give us a chance. I know you liked me—really liked me. Please remember that. Let’s get through this… together.”
She exhales shakily and looks away, toward the window, toward anything that isn’t me. “Our lives are different, Cal. You’re a tech success from a world of wealth and travel and big cities. I’m just a small-town girl running a family inn. Be realistic—it can’t work.”
I take her hands gently in mine. “Don’t say that. It can work. It will work.” I squeeze her fingers. “I’ll adjust. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this life comfortable for you.”
Her eyes lift to mine. “It’s not about my comfort,” she says quietly. “If we’re going to do this, it has to be about your comfort too. How do we find balance between two worlds that are so different?”
“Look,” I say quickly, reaching into my pocket.
I unlock my phone and pull up the bookmarked listing I’ve looked at a dozen times.
“There’s this house in town. Ten minutes away from here.
An old mansion—stone columns, wraparound porch, vines growing up the front like something out of a storybook.
It reminds me of the inn. Every time I look at it, I think of you. ”
I hand her the phone and watch her expression shift as she stares at the photos. “I’m ready to make this investment. I want to live here. I want to build a life here. Just say the word, Margot. I only need you. Please.”
She opens her mouth like she wants to argue, but my name comes out instead. “Cal…”
“Please,” I say again, because I mean it. Because I’d kneel if she asked me to.
She looks down at the phone again. “What about your job in L.A.?”
“I sold my company,” I say, watching her reaction carefully.
“I’m still on the board, and I’ll have to be there sometimes, but it’s not full-time anymore.
I can manage. We can manage. My plan is to stay in Everfield most of the time.
And when I do need to be in L.A., you can come with me.
Think of it as a short vacation. Change of scenery. Then we come home. Together.”
Her lips part in surprise, eyes wide. And for the first time since I stepped into this room, I feel it: hope.
Real, pulsing hope.
She’s thinking about it.
So I double down.
“I don’t care where we live, Margot. I don’t care what we do. You want to run the inn for the rest of your life? I’ll be your handyman. You want to start something new? I’ll back you. You want quiet mornings and town fairs and Waffles chasing squirrels up trees? I’m in.”
She huffs out a soft, disbelieving laugh.
“I mean it.” I take a breath. “You’re the first person I’ve felt at peace with in years. You see me—not just the money or the company or the reputation. Me. And I see you too. I see your strength, your stubbornness, your kindness—Margot, I’ve never met anyone like you.”
She bites her bottom lip, and I can see the cracks in her resistance forming.
“I know it’s fast. I know it’s complicated. But life is always going to be complicated. I’d rather face it with you than live it without you.”
Then softly, one last time:
“Please.”
Margot finally nods, her voice quiet but sure. “Okay. I’ll give you a second chance.”
I freeze for a beat, then grin—relief crashing over me like a wave. “You will?” I pump my fist in the air like a teenager. “Yes!”
I start forward, about to wrap her in my arms, but she holds up a hand, stopping me in my tracks.
“Wait,” she says, serious now. “If we’re doing this, it’s not just a clean slate. You don’t get to lie to me again and think a few grand gestures will fix it.”
I nod immediately, sobered.
“I need honesty, Cal. Every time. No matter what. And if something’s hard to say—say it anyway. I can’t build anything with you if I have to second-guess everything coming out of your mouth.”
“I understand,” I say quietly.
“And I need time,” she continues. “To trust you again. I’m not going to pretend the hurt disappeared. You broke something, and now you’ll have to rebuild it. Slowly.”
I step closer now, gently this time, my voice low. “Then that’s what I’ll do. I’ll show up every day and earn that trust back. I’ll never betray you again, Margot. Never. You have my word.”
She studies me for a moment, then nods—just once.
And finally, she lets me pull her into my arms.
“Margot.” I kiss her cheek. “I know I lied. I made myself smaller—because I was tired of people only seeing the wealth. But I’m scared now that maybe… maybe the version of me you liked was the one who didn’t come with all that baggage.”
She meets my eyes thoughtfully. I keep going.
“I need you to know that both are real. The quiet guy in Everfield and the one who built a company from nothing. I’m still figuring out how to be both at once. But I want you to see all of me.”
She takes a slow breath. “I love all of you,” she says, and my heart almost stops.
“I’ve had time to reflect,” she says. “And while I don’t condone what you did, I understand.
I’ve never had to hide any part of myself to be seen.
But your perspective is valid, Cal. It might take some getting used to, but I’m proud of the boy who built something from nothing and turned it into a multibillion-dollar company.
I’m proud of the man who had the vision to sell it—and the wisdom to keep hold of what mattered most.”
Her voice softens. “Don’t get me wrong—I’m still mad you didn’t tell me. But I’m not mad at who you are.”
Her words almost bring me to tears. They reach a part of me I didn’t know was still bleeding.
“The guy I met and the guy you really are? They’re the same. Just different pieces of the whole. You don’t have to be anything but yourself when you’re with me.”
I kiss her. She kisses me back, full of the same warmth, the same fire that pulled us together in the first place.
We laugh, breathless. I can’t believe this is real.
“Thank you, Margot,” I whisper, and I mean it more than I’ve meant anything in my life.
“Let’s go. We’re missing Aunt Edie’s party,” she says, slipping her hand into mine.
Then she glances toward the wardrobe. “Aunt Edie doesn’t really need that sweater, does she?”
I grin. “What sweater?”
She shakes her head, still a little stunned. “How did you even get here?”
“Juniper was the decoy. I arrived right after she did—snuck in through the back door. Your dad kept me updated and helped me into your room.”
Her mouth drops open. “I had no idea this was happening. Everyone acted so normal.”
I laugh. “I’ve been planning this with your entire family for days.”
She groans, laughing. “So who was the surprise guest? You or Juniper?”
I raise an eyebrow. “You tell me.”
She squeezes my hand, eyes warm. “Never mind. I’m just so glad you’re both here.”
When we return to the party, the atmosphere is electric. Guests, neighbors, town folks—everyone is laughing, dancing, or gathered in cozy circles sipping cider. When they see me, they all shout with excitement. Some ask where I’ve been, others just hug me and say it’s so good to see me again.
Margot doesn’t let me stay there too long before she drags me toward the kitchen.
Her family’s still there—her parents, Hazel, Thea, Aunt Edie—and the moment they see us, the room lights up again.
An unfamiliar face steps forward, holding out her hand. “I’m Juniper.”
“It’s so nice to meet you.” I take her hand firmly. “I’m?—”
“Cal.” She gives me a slow, assessing look. She’s practically a mirror of Sam—same sharp eyes, same calm presence. “I know who you are.”
I smile. “Nice to finally meet you, Juniper. I’ve heard great things.”
“Same here.” She hugs me, quick but warm. She directs a loaded gaze in Margot’s direction before pulling back again.
I lean in to Margot and say, “At this rate, I’m sure you’ll introduce another sister next month.”
She laughs. “That was the last one. I promise.”
I chuckle and head toward Sam, who’s been watching the whole scene with a small, knowing grin. I hold out my hand to him, but he pulls me into a firm, fatherly hug.
“Thank you,” I say quietly. “For everything. For keeping me in the loop. For helping me get in.”
He shakes his head as we pull apart. “Didn’t do much. This was all you, son. You showed up.”
That means more to me than I could ever explain.
Aunt Edie appears next, followed by Jo. They both pull me into a hug at once—soft wool sweaters, warm perfume, laughter tucked into every breath.
“We’re so glad you came,” Jo says with a twinkle in her eye.
Aunt Edie squeezes my arm. “And glad you’re here now.”
Before I can respond, Thea walks up, hands nervously tucked into the sleeves of her cardigan.
“I’m sorry,” she says quietly, eyes flicking to Margot. “For how it all played out.”
I shake my head. “It’s not your fault. I should’ve told her sooner. That’s on me.”
She nods, a small smile tugging at her lips, and we hug—brief, but honest.
Margot stands nearby watching it all, eyes soft.
This feels like home. And I’ve never wanted to protect something more.
As her family talks and laughs around me, I walk toward her, slowly.
There’s a smile on her face, and I almost can’t believe she’s seeing me now. For me. It’s the best feeling ever.
I take her hand in mine and bring it to my lips for a kiss, silently promising her I’ll cherish this moment for as long as I live.