23. Callum #2
A crush. That doesn’t even begin to cover it, but the last thing I’m going to do is dump the full weight of how deeply I’m falling for her right into her lap while we’re standing in the middle of her record shop.
Things between us are moving smoothly—natural, unhurried, right—and I am not going to freak her out by rushing it.
“A huge crush,” I say instead, leaning down until my nose grazes hers. “I have a massive, embarrassing crush on you, Freddie Rowley.”
Her grin widens. “Wow. You even pulled out the Freddie. Must be serious.”
“Dead serious,” I murmur, sliding my mouth down the side of her jaw to press a slow, lingering kiss right against the warm skin of her neck.
She lets out a soft breath, her fingers tightening briefly in my hair before she forcibly pushes against my shoulders.
“Okay, nope. Absolutely not,” she says, trying to sound stern while her cheeks burn bright pink. “We cannot get distracted. You’re supposed to be my free labor, McKinley. Get back to work.”
“Glad to know I’m such a dangerous distraction for you,” I say with a wink, letting my hands slip slowly off her waist.
Winifred sticks her tongue out at me, turning on her heel and grabbing a stack of loose sleeves from the counter.
“Start alphabetizing, loverboy,” she calls over her shoulder, pointing to the box of vintage vinyl records by the door.
* * *
By the time seven o’clock rolls around, the Everfall Inn is bustling with life.
The lobby is controlled chaos—golden light from the wrought-iron chandeliers glowing over polished dark wood, the clink of silverware, and the scent of roasted garlic and rosemary wafting from the parlor dining room.
Guests and locals alike are milling about, filling every wingback chair in sight.
“Hiya, sweet cakes!” Floating near the parlor fire, clutching a deck of worn playing cards, is Gerry.
I laugh, giving her a small wave. “Hi, Gerry.”
“You up for a game of Rummy tonight?” she calls out. “I’ll let you deal!”
“Ah, I’m actually here for dinner tonight, Gerry,” I say, catching up to Winifred as we navigate the crowd. “I’ll have to catch you next time, promise.”
Gerry groans loudly, tossing her hands in the air. “Unbelievable! You’re going to leave me stuck with Betsy again?”
Beside her, Betsy’s head snaps up. “Hey! I can hear you, Gerry! I’m not deaf, I’m only dead!”
“Ugh. Good thing you’re cute, McKinley!” Gerry hollers after me with a dramatic sigh.
Winifred slows her stride, raising an eyebrow at me over her shoulder. “You’ve been playing Rummy with Gerry?”
I shrug, keeping my hands in my pockets. “Figured if I was going to be stuck in town for a while, I might as well get to know the locals.”
“So you chose the horny, one-hundred-year-old ghost?”
“Hey, she plays to win, Rowley. Plus, she gave me insider betting tips.”
My eyes drift sideways, taking her in through my peripheral vision, and my breath catches in my throat like it has all evening.
She looks sexy as fuck tonight. Her black hair falls in loose, effortless waves down her back, and she’s wearing a fitted, long-sleeved plum-colored dress with a completely open back that exposes every inch of smooth skin down her spine.
The hem settles just above a pair of knee-high beige snakeskin boots, a small black leather purse slung neatly over her shoulder.
It takes every ounce of my self-control not to track my hands right down her bare back.
We push through the swinging double doors into the kitchen, where the noise level doubles instantly. Pots are clattering, steam is rising from huge metal vats, and Delphi is right in the center of the storm, furiously whipping a bowl of herb butter while shouting orders to two line cooks.
She turns, catching sight of us, and instantly wipes her hands on her apron. “Look who made it! We’re running a little behind schedule for dinner—the Equinox crowd came in early.”
Delphi steps around the stainless steel prep table and pulls Winifred into a tight, fierce hug. “I’m so glad you came back in one piece, you guys.” Pulling back, she smiles warmly. “Look at you. You look absolutely beautiful tonight.”
Winifred beams. “Aww, thanks, Delph.”
Delphi’s gaze instantly drops down to where our fingers are loosely intertwined between us. She glances between our faces, a knowing grin breaking across her face. “So…are you two like, a thing now?”
Winifred looks up at me, a soft flush creeping up her neck, and I squeeze her hand gently.
“Yeah,” Winifred says, a quiet confidence settling in her voice. “A thing.”
“Good,” Delphi says, nodding with approval. “You look great together.”
Winifred’s cheeks turn a deeper shade of pink. “Thanks. Hey, do you need help with anything before everyone gets here? I can grab an apron—”
“Absolutely not,” Delphi scoffs, pointing a wooden spoon directly at her nose. “I am not letting you anywhere near my kitchen. Have you forgotten what happened the last time you tried to help in here?”
Winifred cackles, throwing her head back. “I was twelve, Delphi! The fire department only got called twice!”
“Twice too many,” Delphi retorts, though her eyes are twinkling. “If you really want to make yourself useful, go up to Room 204 and make the bed. Housekeeping got slammed today and I didn’t get a chance to finish it.”
Winifred gives a mock salute. “On it, boss.”
We head back out toward the wide carpeted staircase leading up to the second floor. The moment we round the bend into the quieter, dimly lit hallway away from prying eyes, I reach out and give her ass a firm, playful squeeze.
Winifred lets out a loud shriek of delight, spinning around with her eyes wide and a breathless laugh escaping her lips. “Callum!”
“Just inspecting the merchandise,” I deadpan, a lopsided grin pulling at my mouth as I open the door to Room 204.
Inside, the room is spotless—vintage brass lamps casting a warm glow over floral wallpaper, fresh towels stacked neatly on the dresser, and the room smelling faintly of crisp linen and lavender.
The only thing out of place is the large king bed in the center, its crisp white sheets and heavy quilt crumpled untidily at the foot.
“Delphi must’ve gotten distracted by the dinner rush,” Winifred says, walking over to the right side of the mattress. She tugs at the corner of the fitted sheet, turning back to look at me. “Come here and pull up your side, please.”
Instead of going to the opposite side, I walk straight around the foot of the bed until I’m standing right behind her. I slide my arm around her waist, pulling her back flush against my chest, my head dropping into the crook of her neck.
“I can think of a much better use of this bed right now,” I murmur softly into her skin.
Winifred turns in my arms, staring up at me with a grin. She flutters her long lashes, her eyes sparkling under the warm lighting. “Oh yeah? What exactly did you have in mind?”
My hand reaches up, my fingers cupping her jaw firmly to tilt her face up as I pull her lips straight to mine.
God, I love kissing her. Her lips are so ridiculously soft and plump, parting instantly under mine with a sweet, familiar give. I deepen the kiss, sliding my hand down her bare back, feeling the delicate line of her spine shudder under my touch as she presses herself tighter into my frame.
She breaks the kiss just an inch, her breath hitching against my mouth, a little smirk playing on her lips.
“I really like the way your mind works,” she whispers against my skin, before lacing her fingers into my hair and pulling me right back down for more.