Page 106 of Love You Madly

Despite the temptation, I resisted burying myself in her last night. The way she looked at me, her eyes full of lust and longing, was almost too much. I could feel the heat between us, the way her body responded to mine, and it took all of my self-control to prevent things from going any further. However, knowing how much she desires me—seeing the arousal mirrored in her green eyes—only intensifies the heat. I havenever experienced such a powerful connection with a woman as I do with Callie.

Curled up with her this morning, I remind myself why I set this ridiculous three-date rule in the first place—because I’m looking for something real. But I already know the connection with Callie is real, and the temptation to break my own rule is at an all-time high. I know to some, three dates might not seem like that long to wait, but when I am with Callie, something almost primal stirs in me, and I am not sure how much longer I can hold back.

Callie is still asleep when she rolls over to face me, and I adjust myself quickly, praying I don’t wake her up before wrapping my arms around her and pulling her close. I lay like that with her for a bit, taking in her beauty and wishing we could stay like this forever. She is absolutely breathtaking. I can’t help it when a small chuckle escapes after I feel a small kick from her belly hit my stomach. I felt the baby kick for the first time last night when my arm was wrapped around her as she slept. I won’t bring it up because I don’t want her to feel self-conscious. For now, this is just a moment for me and the baby, whose life I can only hope to be a part of.

It’s insane, really. We’ve only just started dating but I cannot help thinking about my future with her and what having a family with her would be like.

Callie wakes a short time later and tells me that she’s going to give her mom a call to let her know she will be staying with me, cracking a joke about possibly sending her mom a picture of my driver’s license “just in case.” When she tells me not to panic if I overhear her calling me her boyfriend, I can’t help but smile. We haven’t put a label on things yet, but I think it’s safe to say after everything that’s happened recently, I am hers, and I certainly hope she is mine.

I can tell she is nervous about how I’d react to her labelingme as her boyfriend—like she expects me to bolt. But the truth is, I’d be fine with her calling me just about anything at this point. Hell, she could call me “Daddy,” and I probably wouldn’t bat an eye.

Now there’s a thought…

And with that, I think now might be a good time to take a cold shower and give her some privacy so she can talk to her mother.

Callie and I head to a small cafe for lunch, and her silence makes me a bit nervous. I wonder if I did something that could have upset her or if something happened when she was on the phone with her mother earlier. She is picking at her Caesar salad, barely touching the grilled chicken on top. She’s never been distant like this with me. I reach over, touching her hand to get her attention. “Hey, what’s on your mind?”

She looks up at me with a faint smile. “Just a little anxious about tonight.”

I let out a sigh of relief, selfishly grateful that she isn’t upset over something that I did or said. “Meeting my family?” I guess. She nods, and I give her hand a reassuring squeeze. “They’re going to love you.”

“What if they don’t?” she says, a nervous laugh escaping her as she jabs at a crouton with her fork. “I mean, meeting them for the first time while I’m six months pregnant? It’s a lot. What if they think?—”

“First of all, it doesn’t matter what they think. Second, you are beautiful and smart and snarky and perfect.”

“Far from it,” she mumbles, her voice soft. She’s avoiding my eyes and looking down at her plate.

“Perfect for me,” I say softly, reaching out to tip her chin up to meet my eyes. “And yes, you happen to be pregnant. But that’s just part of your story, not the whole of who you are. They will see that you’re so much more than that—how funny you are, how strong,” I pause, wanting her to see the truth in my words. “If it would make you more comfortable, I can call my cousin Vince and ask him to let everyone know ahead of time. Just say the word.”

She shakes her head quickly. “No, don’t do that. I still think seeing their reactions and trying to figure everything out will be funny. You know me: ChaosCallie and all that. I’m just still worried about what they will think.”

I want to do whatever I can to make this easier for her, but I also want to respect her choice. I lean over the table to kiss her forehead to remind her I’m here for her—no matter what.

As we step into the pub, I can feel the tension in my shoulders melt away. This place feels like a portal to another time, with its rich, dark wood paneling that seems to deepen the warmth of the space, and the ornate tin ceiling tiles that gleam softly above us. The centerpiece of it all is the back bar—a towering, intricately carved masterpiece that commands attention the moment you walk in. Originally crafted in Belgium and brought over a century ago, the bar has a history as rich as its design.

The low light makes the bottles on the glass shelves shimmer like precious gems, casting a warm amber hue. The ambiance here is both high-end and inviting, exuding sophistication without being pretentious. It’s a place where you can relax in a luxurious leather seat, enjoy a perfectly madecocktail, and feel you’re treating yourself with no pretense. The atmosphere embraces you like a comforting, intimate gesture, urging you to unwind and relish the moment. For those seeking a more formal setting, there’s a room tucked away from the ornate bar area, where elegant seating and a quieter, more refined atmosphere invite deeper conversation and a touch of privacy.

Callie walks beside me, her hand resting in mine, and I can’t help but notice how well she fits with me. She moves with a quiet confidence that I find incredibly attractive. Her dark brown hair cascades in loose curls pulled over her left shoulder, and she’s wearing a black-and-white striped maxi dress that shows off her ample chest in the best possible way. It hugs her curves in all the right places, making her look even more effortlessly beautiful. I feel a surge of pride just having her on my arm, and the realization hits me:

She’s mine now.

As we make our way through the crowd, I spot Vince near the end of the bar. He’s leaning against the counter with a beer in hand, talking to his brother Malcolm and Malcolm’s wife, Valerie. Zoe’s there too, perched on a barstool. I wasn’t sure she’d be here tonight considering the attitude she typically gives Vince about these things, but it looks like she might be in a good mood tonight. When Vince catches sight of us, his face lights up.

“There they are!” he calls out, raising his glass in greeting.

We head over, and the introductions start. I can feel the curious eyes on us–more specifically, on Callie. Vince pinches his lips together, trying to bite back a smile. Looks like he didn’t even tell Zoe. This is almost too much fun. Callie seems to be getting a kick out of it, too.

A bit further down, more of my cousins huddle together, including Vicki and her brother Joel, along with his wife Julia.My cousin Bruce sits alone at a video gambling machine, oblivious to anything happening around him. Pretty sure he only showed up because he’s hoping someone will cover his bar tab.

Aside from Bruce, it’s apparent that everyone is trying to figure out what’s going on without coming right out and asking. For now, everyone’s being polite, holding back their questions, but I can sense the anticipation building. I can’t help but relish in the chaos. I know it’s only a matter of time before someone brings up the obvious. Especially since they are all drinking already.

Vince gives Callie a warm handshake, Zoe pulls her into a quick, awkward hug, and Malcolm offers a nod of approval. Valerie is sweet, complimenting Callie’s dress, and I can see Callie relax a little more with each interaction. It’s going well. Better than I expected, honestly.

The evening unfolds with the usual banter and catching up. The place fills with the sound of laughter and clinking glasses, and Callie seems to blend right in. She’s talking with Valerie and even Zoe like they’re old friends, and I catch Malcolm giving me a subtle thumbs-up when she’s not looking. It’s all going great, but I can still feel the uncertainty from the surrounding people continuing to dance around the question.

Will and Luke arrive later, with Heather in tow, and the dynamic within the group shifts instantly. Luke’s presence is like a spark, igniting the atmosphere with his infectious energy. Within seconds, he’s cracking jokes, his voice carrying a playful edge that draws everyone in. Heather, bless her, does her best to keep up with Luke’s rapid-fire humor. She laughs along, her smile genuine, even when it’s clear she’s not entirely sure she gets the joke. It’s clear she wants to belong, and in her own way, she’s already becoming a part of ourlittle circle, her presence softening the edges of Luke’s wild humor.

Just as I think we might make it through the night without anyone asking, Vicki orders a shot of tequila, downs it with a quick gulp, and turns back to face Callie and me. She’s a spitfire–petite, with white-blonde curls that barely brush her shoulders, and a personality that’s about ten times her size. I’m honestly shocked she hasn’t already inquired about the baby, considering her lack of subtlety. But I know we’re in for it now because Vicki and tequila are a hell of a combination.

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