Page 74 of My Best Years

His gaze flicks between mine, his grin never faltering as he stares at me like I’m the most perfect human he’s ever seen. He stares at me like I’m the center of his universe.

I could never get used to the way Callum looks at me.

“Nothing is wrong with your air conditioning, babe.”

Babe.

I know he’s only being playful. He doesn't mean it as a term of endearment. But it still sends a surge of heat down my spine.

“What do you mean there’s nothing wrong with the air? It’s ninety degrees in here, Callum.”

He chuckles once more and sweeps his thumbs along my cheeks.

“Your vents are closed, Birdie,” he clarifies. “That’s why you’re not getting airflow in here. The vents in your room are probably the only ones open, which is why it’s cooler in there. That’s where all the cold air is going since the vents out here are blocked off.”

Oh my God.

I briefly close my eyes as I process this devastating news.

I instantly feel all the blood in my body rush to my face in utter embarrassment. Because what the fuck, Birdie?

How did I not think to check the fucking vents? My God, I feel so stupid.

“What?” I stammer, in shock that I could make such a bonehead mistake. “Oh my God…” I exhale, placing a palm to my sweaty forehead.

“This is so embarrassing. I’m so sorry for wasting your time, Callum. You stopped your busy day to come and help me with something as simple as opening a damn air vent. Jesus Christ…”

“Hey.” He steps in closer, so close that I see a drop of sweat trickle down his temple. So close that his hot breath brushes against my skin, soothing me.

“Don’t apologize to me,” he shakes his head. “I offered to help you. Iwantedto help. And you have nothing to be embarrassed about. I’d bet this is a common occurrence that lots of people overlook. I’m sure it happens all the time.”

I tilt my head to the side and give him a knowing look. He’s just trying to make me feel better, and I think that’s sweet. But seriously… How did I not think to check the vents?

“I guess my hair is naturally blonde for a reason…” I trail off.

He scowls at my self-deprecating humor, clearly not finding it funny.

My heart forgets to beat as he removes one of his hands from my cheeks and twirls his finger around one of the strands of my ponytail. With his hold on my hair, he pulls me closer to him.

“You want to know what I think?” His voice comes out low and sexy. It’s so sultry that I can barely keep my whimper at bay.

With one hand on my cheek and the other in my hair, I have no choice but to play along. I’m completely at his mercy.

“Sure.”

“I think you’re fucking perfect,” he rasps. “I always have. I’ve never seen hair the color of yours, Birdie Wren. It’s like a golden sunset that not even a camera can capture. And yourmind… It’s a shame that not everyone gets to experience it. You’re kind, smart, and humble all at the same time. You’re perfect, Birdie. So don’t ever feel embarrassed. Not around me.”

My chest expands with deep breaths, moving against his as I soak in his words. Without thinking of the consequences, I decide that I need my hands on him too. So I snake my arms around his back, curl my fingers into his T-shirt, and pull him to me until there’s no space left between us.

His heart pounds against mine, beating in perfect rhythm.

“Cal…” I whisper, staring up into his ocean eyes. I don’t know what else to say except his name.

I want to tell him how much I’ve missed him, but I can’t find the words.

Just like he did when we were kids, he finds them for me.

“Birdie,” he mutters while caressing his thumb against my cheek. “God, I missed you. I missed you so damn much. I never want to miss you like that again. I’m so fucking sorry for letting you go. It was, and will forever be, the biggest regret of my life.”

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