Page 44 of Fate Forever and Always

I was pulled from my thoughts and turned to look at him. “Wh-what? Sorry, I was lost in thought.” Shit. Did he see me staring?Of course he did, dumbass.

He chuckled, “I see that. I said I was going to leave the radio on so you had some noise. I know you didn’t like the silence last night.”

The smile forming on my face couldn't be hidden. “Um, yeah. That’s great. Thank you.”

We were both staring at each other, smiling like idiots, not saying a word until he finally looked away. “Okay, well, I’m going to try to get some sleep. Wake me if you need me.”

He didn’t wait for a response and walked into the living area. I looked back at my reflection and started giving myself a silent pep talk.

You can do this. It’s Nick, He is your best friend. If things don’t work out, you can just go back to being friends. Grow some balls, Callista. You are sexy as fuck, and he wants you. He has made that clear. Just do it.

I walked into the room and he was already facing the couch. I walked over to his phone and looked down at the playlist he chose. It was named “Forever & Always”.

My body thrummed with excitement. Or was this desire? Did he make that for me? Have I really been so fucking blind I couldn’t see this amazing man in front of me?

I stood there for a moment, just watching him. He stirred, so I ran over to the bed like a coward. When I finally looked back over, he was still facing the back of the couch. I let out a small breath.

Fucking do it.

Before I could think anymore or talk myself out of it, I walked over and shook his shoulder. He turned toward me.

“Hey, what's up?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I looked into his perfect blue eyes. I felt my body trembling a little. Nick must have seen it too, because he stood up and grasped both of my hands.

His voice was quiet and deep. “Hey, what's wrong? Are you okay? Did somethi—”

“Sleep with me.”

Chapter nineteen

Nick

“What?”

Callie did not just come out and ask me to sleep with her. There is no fucking way this is real life. If this is a dream, I hope I never fucking wake up.

“Wait, no,” she bit her lip, and I could see—even in the dimly lit room—that her cheeks were pinking up. “I meant to sleep in the bed with me. There is no reason you should suffer on the couch.”

I grazed my fingers over her knuckles, but I was not going to let her change her mind on me. “Okay. Let's go to bed.”

She let my hands go and walked over to the bed. We both got in silently. For a moment, I thought she was going to just lay with her back to me, but as soon as I was settled, she turned toward me with the blanket bunched under her chin, staring up at me.

“We should talk about it, right?” Callie whispered.

I snuggled in closer and put the blanket under my chin also to mock her. I knew it would make her laugh.

“Do you want to?”

She smiled and then covered her mouth with the blanket, probably hiding her smile. She looked at me silently for another moment.

“I like kissing you,” she whispered behind the blanket.

It felt like my heart was pounding out of my chest, but I didn’t want to scare her by getting overly excited, so I did my best to keep my voice calm. I moved the blanket away from my face so she could see I was serious. I loved this understated side of Callie. She was usually so bold and unafraid. Seeing her timidness made me feel a new kind of desire toward her. I don't think I have ever wanted her more than I do right now.

I gripped her chin lightly with my thumb and pointer finger. “I like kissing you too, Sweets.”

She shifted a little, a piece of her hair falling over her forehead. “But I’m scared,” Callie admitted.

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