Page 112 of My Best Years

“Of course; that’s my job. I know how scary these situations can be, but I hope you feel comfort in having a team of medical professionals behind you that truly care about your wellbeing.”

“Absolutely,” I nod. “I already feel ten times better than when I first walked in. Everyone has been more than accommodating.”

“Great,” she grins. “That’s what I like to hear.”

She stands from her chair and reaches across to shake my hand.

“The nurse will be here in a few minutes to draw your blood, and then we’ll get you out of here. How does that sound?”

“Sounds great,” I say, giving her hand a firm shake. “Thanks for everything,Dr. Moreno.”

“You got it. Don’t hesitate to call the office if you need anything at all. And, of course, if it’s an emergency after hours, go straight to the ER. As soon as we get your results, we’ll give you a call and go from there. Hang in there, Callum. We’re going to figure this out.”

THIRTY

Birdie

“God, I’m getting old.” I blow out an exhausted breath, dropping to my ass in the sand.

Just like old times, Callum asked me if I wanted to go for a sunset run with him this evening. And let’s just say…I thought I was in better shape than I actually am. My lungs feel like they’re blazing with fire.

“Hey,” Callum interjects before joining me in the sand, “give yourself some credit. You still hung in with me, and I do this run all the time.”

“I mean, I know I’m not in bad shape,” I shrug. “I try to work out when I can, but I forgot how hard running in the sand is. No wonder you look the way you do.”

Callum arches a brow and rests back on his forearms.

“What do you mean by that?” He flashes me a wolfish grin.

He knows exactly what I mean. He looks like a Greek God, and he damn well knows it.

This time, I’m the one who cocks a brow at him. My smirkslowly fades as my eyes drag down his sweat-drenched body. I barely feel an ounce of pain as I chew on my lower lip, hard enough to taste the hint of blood.

Callum’s wearing nothing but a pair of thin nylon shorts and running shoes. His dark hair is windblown, the wavy strands pushed back effortlessly to showcase his chiseled face.

The sky cascades a golden hue against his tan skin as the sun dips beneath the horizon. Drops of sweat mix with the sand dusting along his sculpted chest and abs, creating a mouthwatering shimmer against his body. His long legs rest against the shore as soft ocean waves stretch to reach the tips of his shoes.

It’s unfathomable how stunning he is.

I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that, after all these years, he only wants me.

“You’re drooling,” Callum taunts, pulling me back to reality. He flashes me a wide grin, showing off his pearly whites.

“And you’re ogling,” I toss back, noticing the way his gaze lowers, laser-focused on my sports bra.

He clicks his tongue and tilts his head.

“You see,” he tsks, taking me by surprise by climbing on top of me until my back hits the sand, “that’s the difference between me and you, Birdie. I’m not ashamed of how fucking crazy you make me. I want every single person on this beach to know that you aremine.”

I throw my head back and chuckle as Callum tickles my neck with the tip of his nose before trailing kisses from my jaw to my collarbone. He growls playfully against my neck before placing a kiss to my top lip. I melt beneath him when he gently tugs my bottom lip between his teeth. His mouth presses to mine in a tender kiss before he rolls away to lie on his back next to me.

I reach between us and intertwine our fingers as we stare up at the tiger-striped sky. The sound of seagulls and oceanwaves fills our ears as Callum brushes his thumb back and forth against my hand in soothing sweeps.

I give his hand a tight squeeze and turn to look at him. He moves at the same time, gazing back at me through cerulean eyes. I pivot onto my side to face him, using my free hand to brush away the tiny grains of sand stuck to his cheek. His dark lashes flutter when I cup his stubbled jaw and kiss his pillowy lips.

“I could never be ashamed of you, Callum,” I whisper against his mouth. “Never. All I’ve ever wanted is to love you out loud. From the very first day I met you, I wanted everyone to know that you were my best friend. At only eight years old, I knew that you had changed my world forever.”

His brows pinch together with emotion as he shifts on his side to face me fully.

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