Callum, p.15
Callum, page 15
“They all adore you,” I assure her. I mean… it’s Juniper. How could they not?
My hand moves from her hip to her lower back, pulling her a little closer. Our other hands are clasped.
She tips her head back to smile at me and I can tell what’s going on in those pretty eyes of hers. I know what she’s going to say as soon as her lips part.
A thank-you for the evening, for helping her dad, for getting her away from Joshua, and every other gratitude because she’s feeling so happy. I don’t want to waste this feeling.
“You know, letting you go was the dumbest mistake I’ve ever made, Juni. I look back on it now, and I don’t know how I could have been so stupid.”
Her lips quirk and she gives the tiniest eye roll because we’ve already hashed this out. “Enough with the worst mistake claim. Honestly, I think you’re so hinged on that because you know how bad things were for me. If I’d led a charmed life, you wouldn’t—”
I bend down and kiss her. It’s the first time in fifteen years and it’s just a gentle brush of my lips against hers to get her to stop speaking.
Her eyes are closed when I pull back. I wait for them to flutter open, note they’re awash with confusion and pleasure. “I’m not just saying that. I’ve not had a serious relationship since you. Only casual dates. Never told another woman I loved her because I’ve never even come close to feeling that for someone. I walked away from the love of my life and that’s a level of stupidity I’ll never match.”
Some of that is tongue in cheek and I say it to try to get a smile out of her. Instead, her gaze focuses in on me sharply. “Do you still love me?”
“Yes,” I reply, the singular truth ringing bold and without hesitation. I didn’t have to think about it.
I’ve never stopped loving Juniper.
Juniper blinks at me, her mouth sagging in shock. “You do?”
“Always have. And I don’t expect it back from you. I understand I killed what we had.”
She shakes her head again, eyes closed briefly as she processes. When her gaze locks onto mine, she says, “I don’t know how I feel, but I can tell you I do have feelings for you. I had to shove them away and then I let anger pile up on them. But all that’s gone now. I don’t know what’s left behind, but…”
Her words trail off and I don’t want her to fade back into her protective zone. I touch my forehead to hers. “But what, Juni?”
“But there’s always been a part of my heart that belonged only to you.”
Relief washes through me at the small kernel of tenderness she might still carry for me.
“That’s good, Juni,” I whisper before brushing my lips against her temple. “I can work with that.”
CHAPTER 20
Juniper
“Who wants more tea?” Brienne asks as she stands from her chair. She is the epitome of class and grace. She went with a retro fifties glam look in a floral, off-the-shoulder dress that hugs her torso and flares outward at the waist, paired with pale blue pumps, vivid red lipstick, and her hair in pin curls. She even wore white satin gloves to our little tea party.
Callum delivered the invitation last week between the Fourth of July boat ride and Sophie and Baden’s wedding. It was handwritten in delicate calligraphy and I couldn’t help but grin when I opened it as Callum stood over my shoulder.
We read it silently together.
You are cordially invited to High Tea
In honor of
The Titan Queens’ Newest Inductee
Queen Juniper Ryan
It provided the date and time—today—as well as the location, which is Brienne’s home.
I was so charmed to be invited to such an event, especially since I helped come up with the idea of a monthly tea. But two things immediately had me on the verge of declining.
“That’s awesome,” Callum had said as he plucked the invitation from my hand to read again.
“I can’t go,” I blurted.
His gaze cut to me as he frowned. “Why not?”
“I don’t have anything to wear.” At the bottom of the invitation, it said semi-formal attire required. “And… well, I’m not a Titan Queen.”
Callum set the invitation down on the counter, leaned an elbow beside it and said, “You’re going. You’ve got plenty of pretty dresses to choose from.” When I started to object, he held up a finger telling me to be quiet. “And as far as being a Titan Queen, you most certainly are.”
“I’m not,” I insisted. “Those are women who are romantically involved with Titans men. You and I are not romantically involved.”
“Not true,” he replied, pushing up off the counter. “It’s for women the Titans men care about and you can’t argue against the fact I care for you. You know I do, so just give up on the excuses and text Brienne your RSVP as she requests at the bottom of that fancy little invitation.”
And that was that.
I’ve never been to a tea party before, but Brienne did not disappoint. The table is a feast for the eyes with a pristine white linen cloth upon which delicate china teacups and plates find their home next to polished silver cutlery. Centerpieces of fresh roses and hydrangeas in pastel hues lend a fragrant elegance to the affair.
Tiered silver trays hold finger sandwiches with crusts meticulously trimmed. They have tiny signs in gold calligraphy to identify them as cucumber and dill cream cheese on white bread, smoked salmon with capers and lemon butter on pumpernickel, egg salad with watercress on brioche, and chicken salad with almonds on croissants.
There are trays with scones, their surfaces breaking just so, begging for the clotted cream, lemon curd and strawberry preserves that sit in crystal bowls. My favorites are the sweets—petite pastries from mini éclairs filled with vanilla cream and topped with chocolate ganache, lemon tartlets with dollops of meringue, macarons in assorted flavors and fruit tarts displaying their glazes and garnishes like jewels.
The gentle clink of the champagne flutes announces the presence of bubbly alongside steaming teapots, which release the comforting aroma of Earl Grey and jasmine.
It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve seen outside Sophie and Baden’s wedding, and I’m not ashamed that I’ve taken a ton of pictures.
Jenna is a vision in a powder-blue, knee-length chiffon dress with a subtle floral print in a darker blue. She’s wearing white strappy sandals, and a string of pearls graces her neck with matching stud earrings.
Waving Brienne away, Jenna laughs. “That tea went utterly cold an hour and a half ago.”
Which prompts Stevie to stand up. To my shock, she did not show up in semi-formal attire as requested, instead rocking a pair of torn jeans, a Harley-Davidson tank top and biker boots. Her excuse was that she and Hendrix were going out for a bike ride later in the afternoon and she wouldn’t be doing that in a dress.
However, I get the feeling Stevie just didn’t want to dress up and guess what… none of the other women held it against her.
Stevie grabs the most current bottle of champagne from the ice bucket and proceeds to walk around and top off glasses. Reminiscent of the first night I met a handful of the Titan Queens at Callum’s house, we’ve been imbibing, and it shows.
“I make a motion,” Stevie says dramatically as she waves the now-empty bottle of Moët in her hand, “that all future high tea parties dispense with the tea and we just have champagne as the liquid refresher.”
“I second that motion,” Kiera says and points to the silver-tiered trays sitting in the middle of the round table. She’s stunning in a fitted lavender sheath dress with cap sleeves and a boat neckline. She chose a wide-brimmed hat with a matching lavender ribbon that perches jauntily on her head with her golden hair streaming down her back. “I also make a motion we do away with scones.”
“Hey,” Brienne scolds, whipping her head Kiera’s way. “I made those.”
“No offense,” Kiera says to her soon-to-be sister-in-law. “But those scones are dry as the desert, and I truly mean no offense because any scone I’ve ever tried is dry.”
“Not if you put enough clotted cream on it,” Danica says, looking posh in an emerald-green wrap dress with a tulip hem and three-quarter sleeves. She wears a pair of vintage ivory gloves and points a finger at Kiera. “I am not going to be in favor of doing away with scones. But I agree on the champagne.”
Kiera and Danica argue over whether the next party should include scones and I merely sip at my champagne, enjoying the cute, over-the-top bickering.
These women… I can’t even begin to describe how easy they are to be around. Even billionaire Brienne Norcross is so genuinely down-to-earth, I felt immediately comfortable as soon as I crossed her threshold.
Not all of the Titan Queens are here. Sophie’s on her honeymoon and Harlow and Ava left today for summer vacations with their men. Tillie’s still in New York, apartment hunting with Coen. Lilly is working at her family’s deli, and I find it adorable that apparently Boone is there with her. I met her at the wedding yesterday and my heart breaks for all she’s been through and yet swells with admiration when I see her resilience. She gives me hope.
I’m so lucky to be a part of this group and I feel quite grateful to Callum for pushing me to do this.
I glance at my watch and note that he’ll be here to pick me up soon. I had planned on driving myself, but he offered to chauffeur. While I was more than able to drive myself to a tea party, Callum smirked at me over coffee this morning. “You’re going to get drunk today.”
My face, I’m sure, looked as affronted as I sounded. “I most certainly will not. It’s a tea party. We’ll be having little sandwiches and tea.”
Callum chuckled. “Oh, trust me… there will be alcohol. You ladies probably won’t even touch the tea.”
I’m not sure how he knew that, but he wasn’t wrong. I accepted his offer only because he was going to play racquetball with Gage and the gym is in the general vicinity, so it made sense.
While I’m not drunk, I am very, very tipsy, as are the other women. I imagine there are going to be some Ubers called, just like the last time we got together.
Brienne garners my attention from the scone argument. “How are things going with Callum?” she asks me.
I jerk in my seat, my fingers gripping the champagne glass upon being called out. Especially since Kiera and Danica go silent and all eyes come to me.
“Why would you ask that?” I croak.
Kiera snorts. “Because of the way you two were practically melting into each other on the dance floor at the wedding.”
“We were not doing that,” I exclaim, but we were so doing that. Callum was saying all the right words and I wanted more than anything for the clock to rewind so I could be the Juniper of old and he could be the man I used to love.
“Spill it,” Brienne presses. “You’ve got enough champagne in you, you’ve been inducted into the Titan Queens and we’re your girls. We can give appropriate advice and we can be prepared to hate on Callum when and if needed.”
I can’t help but laugh before taking another sip from the fluted glass. “No need to hate on Callum. Our past has been thoroughly discussed and apologies were offered and accepted.”
“And…,” Danica drawls.
I play stupid. “And what?”
“And he held you close during one of the most romantic songs ever created,” Stevie says.
“And he kissed you,” adds Kiera.
“And then you two had a serious discussion going on,” Brienne murmurs, her voice trailing off.
Only for Jenna to pick up the conversation, sighing in a swoony way. “And that look on Callum’s face. He was promising you something and my God… he better live up to it.”
My skin flushes at how they just broke down those magical few moments when Callum and I danced the other night. I’m a bit embarrassed so I deflect. “Why were you watching us? You had a very lovely bride and groom who should have held your attention.”
Stevie barks out a laugh. “Sophie and Baden are rock solid. You and Callum are tripping all over yourselves, just like we all did with our men, and it’s way more fun to watch. Besides… since we’ve all been through this, we’re your best source of advice.”
I sit up straighter in my chair because it occurs to me that these women are more than just a fun social time. They could be confidantes and that’s something I need more than anything. “Callum said he still loves me. Never stopped and never loved anyone else.”
“Oh wow.” Jenna sighs again, sinking into her chair. “That’s… well, that’s serious stuff.”
“I know,” I exclaim before taking another sip of my champagne. “I mean… he broke my heart once and—”
“He wouldn’t do it again,” Brienne cuts in, her tone sharp with confidence.
My head whips her way, but not to argue with her. “I know. I mean… I actually know he wouldn’t. Callum’s a different person and I don’t mean that he was bad before and he’s good now. I just mean… he’s different, I’m different, our lives are different. And I know he never meant to hurt me in the past. He said it was the dumbest mistake he’s ever made and I can forgive regretful mistakes.”
“So then it’s all good for the two of you?” Kiera asks.
I shrug, my mouth pulling downward as an angst I didn’t know I was carrying hits me hard. “I don’t know,” I admit glumly. “He said he loved me, I told him part of my heart would always belong to him and then… nothing.”
Brienne frowns. “Nothing?”
“Nothing,” I repeat. “I would’ve thought he’d try to kiss me when we got back to his house after the reception. Or maybe want to talk some more. But he wished me goodnight at the bottom of the stairs and then went into his bedroom.”
The women shoot each other blank looks and shrugs.
Jenna hypothesizes. “Maybe he’s just giving you room to be certain about your feelings.”
Danica drums her gloved fingers on the tablecloth. “Maybe he’s nervous.”
“Or maybe,” Stevie drawls, her black nail polish in sharp contrast to the pastels everywhere, “he wants you to make the first move.”
“That’s it,” Brienne says with a sharp snap of her fingers. “He wants you to make the move. He’s opened the door and he wants you to step through it.”
“To do what?” I ask incredulously.
“To do whatever will take this relationship to the next level.”
“Maybe ask him out on a date,” Danica proposes.
Another sigh from Jenna. “Or cook a romantic meal.”
“Bone him,” Stevie says.
Kiera nods effusively, turning to Stevie to offer her fist. They bump and Kiera says, “That’s right, girl. Walk through that open bedroom door and reconnect physically.”
I grin at the bevy of advice and love how it’s split down the line between these women. Over the course of a two-hour tea, I’ve gotten to know their personalities pretty well—Danica and Jenna are the romantics while Stevie and Kiera are the spicy minxes.
It’s to Brienne I turn though, as I think she’s a mixture of both, plus she’s the smartest and wisest of all of us. She merely says, “Trust your gut but I agree that you should make your interest known. I know Callum and he won’t want to pressure you. He’ll take it slow. If you want to give this a little push, then you give the push and see where it goes.”
“But stripping naked and climbing into his bed is the best way to do it,” Kiera adds with a knowing wink.
The doorbell rings and my blood zips through my veins. I know that’s most likely Callum arriving to pick me up.
Brienne doesn’t move to answer the door as she has full-time house staff here who will handle it. Her gaze on me is unwavering as she repeats what I’m guessing is her most important advice. “Trust your gut.”
I don’t have a chance to reply as Callum walks into the room, followed by Gage.
“Wow, this looks amazing,” Callum says as he moves right to the table and reaches for a sandwich from one of the silver tiered plates. He pops the triangle into his mouth and grins at me as he chews. When he swallows, he nods at the champagne in my hand. “Told you.”
He’s referencing his proclamation earlier that I’d get drunk. “I didn’t have that much,” I say as I set my almost-empty flute down. Truth be told, I stopped counting after the third one.
I rise to stand from the chair and feel my ankles wobble in my high heels. Callum continues to grin knowingly.
Brienne stands, as do the other women, and one by one, they give me farewell hugs. Stevie whispers in my ear, “Sneak into his room tonight.”
“Stop it,” I whisper back, but I’d be lying if I said their suggestions weren’t playing through my head.
♦
I paced back and forth across the soft, thick carpeting of my bedroom. I ditched my tea party dress and heels and washed off my makeup. I brushed the taste of lemon tarts and champagne out of my mouth and pulled my hair into a high ponytail.
I am still buzzing from the champagne and if I were a smarter version of myself, I would force a nap to sober up. When Callum drove me home, he suggested just such a thing. It was only four thirty and he announced he was going to cook dinner and it would be ready by six.
I’ve been up here stewing over what to do. Brienne said to trust my gut. Danica and Jenna believe I should move slowly but surely. Kiera and Stevie think I should jump his bones.
I feel like the answer is in there somewhere.
If I’m honest with myself, the champagne is pushing me to side with Kiera and Stevie. The alcohol flowing through my system lowers my inhibitions and I cannot deny that I am attracted to Callum. Just like all those years ago when I had to push down my love after he broke my heart, I also had to forget about what a sinful temptation the man was, even more so after I started dating Joshua. Admittedly, as my feelings for him grew and we embarked on a sexual relationship, I was able to forget about Callum.
Somewhat.
Sometimes it was hard because Joshua wasn’t half the lover Callum was. He tried his best and there was a time when he wanted to pleasure me.
