Chapter 47
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
“I guess I didn’t realize you two were friends?” Ryan is trying to play it cool, but these Callahan men are protective of their sisters, and I love to see how easily their instinct extended to Cami.
She tucks a piece of her hair behind her ear. Cami’s gorgeous deep auburn hair is in her typical messy bun, with a few wavy pieces escaping to frame her face.
“Is that … weird? I don’t know.” Cami shrugs and looks away from Ryan.
“There’s nothing weird about that. Plus, it’s a small town, right, Ry?” I lean over and touch his arm as he turns in his chair to look at me briefly before picking up on my redirect.
“No, not weird, and yes, absolutely, it’s a small town. I have no hard feelings toward anyone in the Riley family—other than Marcie Claire.”
Cami nods. “Absolutely. And I think even members of their own family would feel the same way.”
“But you and Chase…” Ryan leads off but looks expectantly at his sister.
“We’re friends.” She shrugs and takes a sip of her water, still avoiding Ryan’s gaze. “His brother is with my best friend, so we are naturally around each other, and we just kind of, I don’t know, get each other.”
I hum at that. “Did you two connect over something specific?”
She finally looks up and meets my eyes. “Yeah, I mean, I guess we did. We both understand what it’s like to have people assume things about our lives, regardless of what they know or don’t know. Kind of like … feeling like an outsider in your own life.”
Cami bites down on her lower lip as though to stop herself from saying more. I feel Ryan sit up straighter next to me, and I have to fight the urge to comfort this sweet girl.
I should know better. Of course, Ryan will take care of her.
“I know we’re all still getting to know each other, Cami, but I hope you know that you are always welcome in my home, no assumptions made, and no judgement passed.”
Cami offers a small smile then quickly looks down at her watch before pulling her phone out of her pocket. “Shoot, I’m sorry, I have to run.”
“Is everything okay?” Ryan’s question is immediate.
Cami looks down at her phone before sliding it in her pocket and meeting her brother’s eyes. “Yeah, I just had something pop up that I need to go take care of. But I really appreciate you guys inviting me tonight.”
“It was so nice to have you, Cami. I hope we can do it again soon. And let me know if we can meet up just the two of us for coffee or lunch.” And I mean that offer sincerely.
I really like Cami, and not just because we are closer in age than the rest of the Callahan crew, but she has a very kind heart and calm disposition.
I’d love to have a friend like that in my life.
Her smile looks genuine this time, instead of the anxious one she’s had multiple times tonight. “I’d really like that. I’ll text you some times that work and we can find something?”
I nod as Ryan makes a comment under his breath that he likes coffee too, which makes both of us smile at each other.
Cami is out the door and on her way a few moments later—but she helped clear the table before she all but ran away.
“I’m so glad she joined us tonight,” I tell Ryan as he hands me another plate to load into the dishwasher.
“Me too. It’s going to take time, we all know that, but…”
“But you are all trying. And you’re all coming at a delicate situation with the best intentions, and as much communication as possible,” I offer, trying not to slip into psychiatrist mode, but firmly in supportive-girlfriend mode.
Discovering a sibling this late in life is a shock to anyone, and while there have been understandable bumps along the way, I think they are all doing marvelous, all things considered.
Especially Cami.
She’s not used to having people in her corner, let alone an entire village of very interconnected and involved individuals.
There’s familial bonds, then there’s the way the Callahans view family.
Honestly, you could add a few illicit elements and some organized crime, and they would resemble the mafia with their devotion to one another.
But instead of an illegal crime empire, it’s an incredibly special bond to witness and experience.
I would read both of those books … actually, I think I have.
He nods. “I hope she takes y’all’s offer to join the book club. I don’t know that I understand her hesitation.”
“I think she thought Savannah and Vivian invited her out of obligation, instead of wanting her to join. This is all new to her, but I do think she’s going to think about it.
” We had Cami over at Ryan’s house for dinner, just the three of us tonight.
Although we told her she could invite someone, she got very bashful and insisted she was fine coming alone.
I love cooking in Ryan’s kitchen, and he loves not trying to navigate recipes.
It’s also a lot more fun to cook for other people than trying to cut a recipe down for one person or living on leftovers for days at a time.
I was hoping we could convince Cami to play a game or something after, but some text came through, and she rushed out of here.
“I hope whatever the text was about, she’s okay,” Ryan says, looking at the front door where she left in such a rush.
I nod. “Yeah, me too. I’ll send her a text later to check in on her.”
Ryan walks up behind me and pulls me back against him. He places a light kiss on the spot just below my ear on the side of my neck. “Thank you, Lo. Appreciate that.”
“Mmmmm.” I lean back into him, cozy and content in this very domestic evening. “Ryan?” I know what I want to say, but I can’t quite believe I’m about to take this leap of faith.
But I think he will catch me every time.
In fact, I know he will.
I turn to face him and wrap my arms around his middle, leaning back to look into his eyes.
“Yeah, baby?” He brushes a piece of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear.
“I … I love you.” The raw emotion threatens to release tears after saying those simple words. I didn’t grow up in a house where the word love was used, not in regard to relationships. My parents loved things, they loved status and possessions but none of the objects of their affection had a soul.
To admit this—and to do so first—is a huge risk for me. I also think it will somehow mean more to Ryan that I am saying it first because I’m showing him how much I trust him in taking this risk.
I’ve also almost blurted it three separate times, and I’d rather not have the first time I tell him to be an accidental word vomit.
His gray-blue eyes warm and he pulls me closer. “That is really fan-fucking-tastic news, Lo. Thank you for telling me that. It’s nice to know we’re on the same page.” He leans in and softly kisses my forehead before using his hand to angle my head back.
“Yeah?” I don’t mean for my voice to sound husky, but I’m barely in control of anything right now.
“Yeah, baby. I love you, Harlow Gisela Lane.” He kisses my right cheek, then my left one. “I love your heart, your kindness, your wittiness, your grace, oh, and I’m a big fan of your ass. Huge fan, in fact.”
I throw my head back and laugh. Of course, he would say something like that right now.
“So, nothing about my job, or the fact that I’m a doctor, or…”
Ryan shakes his head slowly. “No, none of that, Lo. It’s cool, and your job is awesome, but it’s not you. You … you are so much more than any of that.”
“Yeah? And what am I?” I whisper.
“Well, my favorite thing right now is the fact that you are mine, just as much as I am yours, Lo.”
“And is that a lot?”
“Oh, yeah, you basically own me heart and soul at this point, baby.” He leans in and presses his forehead to mine.
“It’s nice to know we’re on the same page,” I repeat his line from a moment ago, causing him to break out in a grin, showcasing his dimple, before angling my face and crashing his lips down on mine.
I get lost in our kiss until he lies me down on his bed. I barely noticed the man had picked me up and walked to his bedroom.
But that’s what happens when I’m in Ryan’s arms—I’m safe and protected. I’m treasured and adored.
And for maybe the first time in my entire life, I’m home.