Chapter 44
CALLUM
As they kissed, Callum knew the last thing he wanted was for Tasha to leave the island. Let alone leave his flat.
Her arms tightened around him as her kiss became more passionate. Delighted, Callum gave in to the sensations and did the same. Kissing Tasha was amazing and if he was sad to know she would be leaving before, this only made the thought of her returning to the UK even harder to bear.
He wished he could tell Tasha not to leave but stay on at his flat; however, doing so would be selfish of him.
What right did he have to interfere with her life?
Hadn’t she just got away from someone who had spent the past three years ordering her about?
Callum decided that regardless of how he felt, Tasha needed to do what was right for her.
He just hoped she would choose to return at some point.
They sat on the sand near the sea wall watching the sun slowly disappear into the horizon.
‘This is incredible,’ she said. ‘There isn’t anything marring the view of the sun going down. What an incredible place to see this.’
‘I’m glad you think so.’ He looked at her and, seeming to sense she was being watched, Tasha gazed up at him.
‘Thank you, Callum.’
He wasn’t sure what she was thanking him for. ‘I’m not sure why I deserve your thanks,’ he said eventually.
‘Because of all the ways you’ve helped me while I’ve been on the island.’
She sighed.
Callum frowned. ‘I still think it’s a bit much that the director wants me to be involved in any way, especially when I only had a couple of scenes.’
‘Yes, but remember you’re well known and loved here on the island, and having you in some of the promotion will be a good way to get people who don’t know who Riley is to tune in and watch.
It’s all about viewing numbers, Callum.’ She laughed.
‘Anyway, I’m sure you’ll have fun and if nothing else it’ll give you great content for your radio show.
You might even meet new and interesting people you can invite on the show for interviews. ’
She had a point, but it didn’t make up for the fact that he would be spending more time with Riley, without Tasha being there.
‘Don’t look so glum,’ she teased. ‘It’ll be fine.’
He shrugged. ‘But you won’t be there and if Riley was insufferable with you keeping him in check, I daren’t think how he’ll be without you.’
Tasha rested a hand on his knee. ‘I didn’t really make much difference to Riley’s behaviour.’ She rested her head on his shoulder. ‘I must admit I’ll miss you, Callum.’
He was glad she wasn’t able to see how miserable the thought of her leaving the island made him.
Choosing to try and encourage her rather than feel sorry for himself, he kissed the top of her head.
‘You’ll be fine. You’ve made the right decision.
Although, it’s a shame that silly man doesn’t try to put someone else’s feelings first for once.
I have an idea he’ll only realise what he’s lost in letting you go when it’s too late. ’
‘That will be Riley all over,’ Tasha said, sounding, Callum thought, sad at the notion.