Page 6 of Fate Forever and Always

She handed me the bottle with a smirk on her face, and I placed it on the table. I wanted to grab her and tell her she would never have to cry again, that I could make this all better, but I couldn’t. I could solve her biggest issue, though.

“I have a solution to some of your problems if you want to hear them.”

She rolled her eyes. “What could you possibly give me to help me get over being cheated on?” I smiled at her because she was slurring her words a little, and it was fucking adorable. She tends to conceal her vulnerabilities—rarely allowing herself to be seen in a state of fragility. She leaned forward and took the last few gulps of wine, emptying the bottle.

“I can give you the house, well, a room to work and live in, not the actual house,” I chuckled.

Her smile dropped as she sat up and stared at me blankly. “Wha—what? You want me to move in?”

I thought about my answer before responding. “Want is a strong word, Cal,” I said with a joking grin. “I want nothing from you. I want my best friend to have a safe place to stay and workwithout going broke. There is a guest room for you to live in, and you can put the piano in the sunroom and do your lessons there.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “Are you being serious? Please tell me you are serious because–”

“Callie, of course I’m being serious. Why would I joke about that?”

She stared at me with a look I could only describe as a happy sadness. I nodded my head yes to drive home the fact that I was indeed serious once again. The next thing I knew, Callie was flinging herself at me to straddle my lap. Her hands went to my cheeks while she studied my face quietly. Before I could even think about the fact that all the blood in my body had now rushed straight to my dick, her mouth was on mine. She kissed me…hard.

When my thoughts caught up to our actions, I pulled my mouth away and put my forehead to hers. Both of us were short of breath.

“Callie,” I whispered.

“Don’t push me away, Nick. I need to feel something good right now.”

What am I doing? Callie kissing me and being on top of me is something out of my dreams, but I can’t do this to her. “Not like this, Cal. You’re drunk, and you will definitely regret this in the morning. You don’t want me like this.”

"No, you don’t wantmelike this," she repeated.

That caught me off guard because having Callie like this is the only thing I have fucking wanted for years now. I put my hands to her jaw and ran my fingers into the back of her hair. One of my thumbs grazed her bottom lip as I meticulously thought about my next words.

“Callie, I’ve wanted you like this forever. Forever and always.” I shut my eyes, cursing myself for saying that out loud. I hopedshe would forget I said that. “But I can’t do this to you. You are too vulnerable and you are drunk. I would never hurt you like that. You don’t really want me. You want comfort.”

She pulled back, almost like she just realized what she was doing. She looked mortified. Her hand covered her mouth, and she began mumbling. “Nick. Shit, I am so sorry. I don’t know what that was. I am so sorry. Can we just forget that happened? I was just overwhelmed with excitement that I could stay here.”

Her tan skin was deepening with a pretty pink color. I don’t think I have ever seen her look more beautiful.

I wanted to lighten the mood even though I was kicking myself for pushing her away and being the nice guy once again. That kiss was something I’ve always craved and yet also something I will never forget.

I leaned in and gently kissed her cheek as I grabbed her hand. “Already forgotten, but I was serious about you staying here. We can rent a truck tomorrow and grab your piano, and call Link and Aubrey’s dad and see if they’ll help us move it.”

She looked at me with hope in those caramel-colored eyes that I loved so much. “Are you sure? You won’t hate me and kick me out after a week?”

I was trying my hardest to keep my emotions in check and just be her best friend right now. “I’ve never been more sure of anything. Plus, getting sick of you will take at least a month.” I laughed as she playfully slapped me on the shoulder.

“I hate you, Nicholas James,” she smirked.

“I know. I hate you, too. Forever and always, Callista Adriana.” I smiled back.

I knew I would need help moving some of Callie’s things, so I texted the crew.

Hey. Who's free tomorrow?

I want to move the piano ASAP.

I don't want her to have to think about it anymore.

Aubrey

Hell yes. I am so freaking in.

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