Page 94 of Puck Princess

“You are better than they are. You always have been.”

Again, I don’t know if I believe it. But right now, looking at her and the swell in her belly that is our child, I need to believe in something. I need something to hang onto.

I grab her hand in mine, pinning it against my chest. She shifts in closer, no longer afraid.

At her touch, all the pain and anger and adrenaline drain from me. “I’ve used the anger I carry towards them to drive me. If I let that go, what is my weapon?”

Callie squeezes me. “I guess you’ll have to figure that out.”

31

CALLIE

“Remind me again why we are doing this?” Owen stares down at the flute of OJ and champagne. “You can’t even drink.”

“Kennedy says there’s never a bad time for mimosas.”

“Unless you’re pregnant.” He chuckles and then looks up at me. “Sorry. For real, though, what is this for?”

I lift my glass of juice and ginger ale in a toast. “It’s symbolism.No matter last night’s storm, the sun can still shine in the morning.”

He downs half the flute in one swallow. “Did you get that off a fortune cookie?”

“No!” I take a sip of mine. “It was one of those daily inspo calendars on the receptionist's desk at my dentist’s office.”

He laughs and it’s unbelievably good to see him like that.

We haven’t talked about what happened last night. Though, the bruised hand resting on the table is a frequent enough reminder. His hand looks awful, and I swear I catch glimpses of the sameweary pain I saw last night every so often. But we slept cuddled together all night, and when I suggested going out, Owen just grabbed his keys and asked,where to?

Maybe, after the storms we’ve both been through, this can be our sunshine. Maybe we can be each other’s safe place to hide.

We finish our drinks and walk, hand in hand, around downtown for a while. I make a point of stopping in every shop with baby things, from toys to outfits. He makes a point of wanting to buy all of it. I tell himless is moreand he tells menot where his kid is concerned.

Eventually, we make our way home, and I’m ready for a nap. He’s ready for something else.

“Just a quickie.” He kisses me in the elevator. Both of us have our hands full of bags.

“Owen, I'm tired,” I giggle into his mouth.

He nips at my bottom lip. “You’re also sexy. I’ll make quick work of you, I promise.”

“I mean, that is the definition of a quickie.”

“Is that a yes?”

I step out of the elevator first, slamming to a stop when I see someone leaning against the wall next to our door.

Owen, however, stumbles out of the elevator after me, catching himself on my hips. His lips whisper against my earlobe. “You can’t walk around looking this sexy all day and then leave me in cold sheets.”

I feel the second he looks up and sees his sister and nephew waiting by our door.

His mischievous grin fades. “And just like that, I’m not horny anymore.”

“Nice to see you too, brother.” Summer’s face crinkles in disgust. “I don’t know what happened in that elevator, and I’m happy to never know.”

“What are you doing here?” I kiss Nicky on the top of his head. He gurgles and kicks his feet in excitement.

“I actually have a favor to ask.”

---