Chapter 20
Oliver
After dropping Callie off at her apartment, I make it back to my own in record time.
Callie had asked if I would want to stay at her place tonight and, while there’s no way I’m going to pass up an opportunity to be in her presence, I do need fresh clothes.
Especially considering what’s left in my suitcase is a little fancier than is necessary to hang out at her place.
And I need to get Nacho.
I think Callie’s as excited to have Nacho there as she is to have me around, which is fine. It just further confirms she’s the right woman for me.
Callie said she’d be more than fine on her own for a bit. In all honesty, I think she needed a little time alone to start processing everything.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.
Unlocking and opening my front door, I’m greeted by the familiar bark of my favorite furry companion. “Hey girl.” I grin down at Nacho and her ever-wagging tail. I make a quick mental note to send Cory another thank you text for taking her out one more time just a bit ago before bringing her home.
Nacho barks once more, just in case I somehow missed the first one.
Dropping my bag on the kitchen table, I turn my full attention to the best girl. Kneeling to the floor, I receive plenty of welcome kisses while rubbing and scratching any part of her I can reach. “I missed you too, little one,” I coo.
Nacho’s enthusiastic tongue slaps at my face like a raw slice of bacon, her tail thumping the wall in a rhythmic pattern.
Looking into her joyous eyes, it’s almost impossible to believe that today really happened. But it did, and now there’s an incredible woman waiting for us to return to her. Standing, I ask, “Wanna go see Callie?”
The best girl jumps to stand on my shoulders with one more bark of confirmation.
Chuckling, I set Nacho back on all fours before preparing her supper and grabbing food for tomorrow at Callie’s. I use the time she’s eating to take a quick shower and pack a bag of fresh essentials.
By the time I zip up the overnight case and grab my bag for work tomorrow, Nacho is waiting impatiently on my bed. She lets out a sigh of great despair when I head back into the closet.
“Hang on, little missy,” I laugh, “I know you want to see Callie as bad as I do.”
Sweet, amber eyes that remind me of someone else I love practically roll when I finally emerge. She eyes the belt in my hand.
“Figured it wouldn’t hurt to have an extra. My other is on its last leg,” I explain. “You wouldn’t want my pants to fall down, would you?”
Nacho ignores me, clearly unimpressed by my potential fashion dilemma.
“Alright, alright,” I say, securing the belt in my bag, “one more thing.” Picking up the new collar, I make the swap from Nacho’s bright purple nylon one to the thoughtful gift from Callie. “What do you think? Do you like it?”
Nacho hops up and struts around on the bed.
Giving her a solid pat on the side, I chuckle. “I think that’s a yes. You ready?”
One bark later, and we’re in the car heading back to the newest member of our family.
Callie texted me saying her front door would be unlocked, so Nacho and I let ourselves in when we arrive.
“Hey,” Callie calls. Her sigh of relief doesn’t go unnoticed, making me smile.
“Hey baby,” I say, shutting the door behind me. That trademark Callie scent of hot chocolate floats in the cozy apartment air. This woman really does know how to make a house into a home.
And now she’s become my home.
Nacho walks right in like she owns the place. That girl has always known when she’s wanted.
I, on the other hand, come to a halt inside the small foyer at the sound of additional voices.
“Hi, sweet girl,” Callie squeals, hopping up to greet Nacho. “Oh my goodness, your collar looks so beautiful!”
The sight of them together gives me pause, thinking back to that night at Theo’s. The night John and I first came up with this crazy idea.
The one that ultimately led me to Calloway Rutherford.
Forgetting all about us not being alone, a bright smile takes over my face while Nacho and Callie share their moment.
“Hey man.” Ian Fairchild pops up from the chair on the far side of the living area.
Another man twists around to look at me from the floor. A man I’ve only seen a couple other times—Aaron Fairchild.
Nodding to Aaron, my eyes shift back to Ian as he approaches.
Ian reaches where I stand in the entryway, extending a hand. Clasping it for the shake, he nods toward the bedroom. “Here, let’s put your stuff in there.” Ian leads me into Callie’s bedroom and I can’t help but wonder how many times he’s been in here.
The same warm colors and feel from the living area brings the room to life, her modern boho style exemplified through a sleek walnut bed and dresser suite, sage and cream bedding, and various art prints hanging in strategically-spaced mini galleries.
Ian takes my bags and sets them in the corner. When he turns back around, concern colors his anxious eyes. Leaning in, he whispers, “Connie texted Aaron, letting him know what happened. So he knows, too.”
“He didn’t before?” My brow furrows.
Ian shakes his head. “Callie and I thought it’d be best if he didn’t. You know, the less people who knew, the better? That kind of thing.”
I work to push down the irrational jealousy of his referring to Callie and him as a unit, instead focusing on what the man is actually telling me. “Was he upset?”
“Nah, just confused. I think he was a little hurt since he loves Callie like a sister, too. But when I explained everything on the way over, he was good.”
“How was she when you got here?”
Ian hesitates, choosing his words carefully. “Quiet at first. But hot chocolate is like liquor to that one,” he grins.
My own smile mirrors his. “Right.”
“She told us what happened at Aspen Point—most of which we already knew, but I think it helped her to talk through it—and we were talking about where she thinks they’ll go from here when you got back.”
I nod, taking everything in. “She definitely seems more at ease now. Thank you for that.”
Ian shrugs. “Of course, man. Anytime.”
Narrowing my eyes, I take in Ian Fairchild.
Tall, fit, a neatly trimmed beard. Nice, casual clothes that says he cares about how he presents himself, but doesn’t take himself too seriously outside of working hours.
And on top of it all, he seems like a genuinely decent guy.
No wonder Callie and my sister hang around him.
Speaking of which … “I’m, um, kinda surprised you didn’t go with Blythe. ”
Frowning, his brows knit together. “To Mexico?”
“Unless she went somewhere else I don’t know about, yes.”
“Why would I go with her on her trip?”
Palming the back of my neck, I do my best to word this delicately. “Because I thought you two were, well, together. Especially at Callie’s school that night.”
His frown deepens. “We’re friends who hang out a lot because we live in the same building and have Callie as a mutual friend.” He shrugs. “I mean, she’s amazing. But Blythe and I are just friends. Come on,” he claps me on the shoulder, “Callie’s got a nose for secret conversations.”
As we head back out into the living room, my love sits squarely in the middle of the couch wrapped in no less than two blankets, a fresh cup of hot cocoa in one hand while the other pets a resting Nacho. Upon our entrance, she beams up at me.
“Are you trying to steal my dog?” I ask, grinning like an idiot as I round the furniture to sit beside her.
Ian follows suit, reclaiming his spot in the single chair.
Callie glances down at Nacho, whose head is nestled up against her leg. “What can I say? The heart wants what the heart wants.”
Placing my hand on her leg not currently occupied by our dog, my eyes search hers. “How are you?”
She swallows, nodding. “Better.”
“Good. Have you eaten?”
“Nope,” she says, shaking her head, “I was waiting for you.”
Aaron perks up from his spot on the floor. “We did offer to order pizza and have it waiting for you, but she wanted to wait until you got back.” He absently rubs Nacho’s butt, earning him her eternal love and devotion.
Looking between the brothers and back to my love, I can’t help but smile when our eyes meet. “Sounds great to me.”
Ian pulls out his phone. “I’ll put in the order.”
As he does, I can’t help but take in the comical image of Aaron on the floor, rubbing Nacho with one hand while the other grabs the TV remote. He’s a big guy. Despite having seen him all of two times, I’d forgotten his immense size.
Picturing him with Connie is actually a bit comical.
But no matter how much this guy adores my girlfriend, there’s no way he can be comfortable down there, regardless of how fluffy that rug may be.
I get the feeling this isn’t the first time the poor guy has had to sit on the floor here.
And given his importance to Callie, I highly doubt it’ll be the last.
Leaning in toward Callie, I whisper, “My love, remind me to buy you another chair.
“That was the last one for the day, Dr. Rhodes.” Mrs. Lanahan peeks up at me from behind her new glasses. Apparently, her prescription read ‘whatever glass used to be a Coke bottle.’
Shoving a paper into the Collins’ file, I tap it on the desk twice to ensure no fallout before handing it over. “Great.” It’s only eleven, since the practice only opens for half days between Christmas and New Year. But being away from my girls makes this half day feel like forever.
Especially when I know they’re both cuddled up in bed watching movies without me.
“I trust you had a good holiday?” The woman is fishing. Worse, she’s not even being sneaky about it.
“Why do I get the feeling that’s not really what you’re asking?”
The nosy receptionist gives me a cheeky grin. “I don’t know what you mean, Oliver.”
“Mrs. Lanahan,” Rindy rounds the corner, shooting a chastising look at our receptionist, “I should tell Jo you’re up here causing trouble.” A teasing smile slides into place. “Besides, John is still up at Aspen Point, so he’s not here to take your side.”