Page 91 of My Best Years

“Here you go.” He reaches over the counter and places the bouquet on the desk in front of me. “You have a great day, ma'am.”

“You too. Thank you,” I smile. He nods before turning and heading back down the hall.

I wrap my fingers around the glass vase and close my eyes as I breathe in the sweet aroma. A hint of spice and citrus comes from the lilies, blending perfectly with the roses.

My eyes snap open when I hear a cluster of “oohs” and “aahs” coming from a few of the nurses passing by. I instantly feel the blush creeping along my cheeks. Now I know what it feels like to be the woman that others watch from afar with a covetous stare.

I swallow thickly as I lower my gaze to the note.

It’s handwritten with black ink, and even after eleven years, I immediately recognize the scribble.

I feel a deep jolt in my stomach as I read the note.

Birdie Wren,

I hope work isn't too crazy today. I meant to tell you this the other night, but your career is pretty fucking cool. Not only do you save lives, but you get to be in the same city as me while doing it. Basically, what I’m trying to say is that you’re a badass. Anyways, I miss you. I can’t wait to see you next week. I thought about checking myself into the emergency room on the off chance that you would be my nurse. But then, I thought you might be pissed if I did that. So, I’ll just have to wait…unfortunately. Call me when you get off tonight. If you don’t, I’ll just end up calling you. Didn’t you miss my clingy ass?

Love,

Cal

My cheeks hurt from smiling as I lift a hand to my mouth and laugh at his cute but witty note. Callum’s always had the best sense of humor.

It’s been a week since he invited me over to his place. Heasked me if I wanted to have dinner a few nights ago, but I had just finished working a twelve-hour shift and desperately needed a shower, Advil, and sleep.

Aside from being exhausted, I’m trying not to move too quickly with Callum.

You should have thought about that before you begged him to finger fuck you on his kitchen counter.

I clench my thighs together as heat rushes to my core at the memory.

I haven’t been able to stop replaying that night in my mind. Every little detail has invaded the hidden corners of my brain that were vacant before.

Like a vivid dream, I can still feel how mind-blowing his fingers felt between my thighs and how badly I wantedotherparts of him there. I can still see the contorted look on his face when he came—a triad of intoxication, lust, and pleasure. I can still taste the red wine on his tongue. Like a familiar song, I distinctly remember the rhythm of his heart beating in tandem with mine.

I haven’t been able to sleep through the night without waking before sunrise to feel wetness pooling between my thighs. This morning, I slipped my hand beneath my sleep shorts and sunk my fingers inside my aching core. I closed my eyes and pretended that it was Callum touching me. And when I succumbed to my release, it was his name that I cried into the empty air.

But still, it’s not enough. My hands are much softer than his calloused fingers. My moans are much more delicate than his guttural groans. Nothing could come close to comparing to him.

Once again, I’m completely captivated by Callum Pierce. Unequivocally under his spell.

And that scares the ever-living shit out of me.

Deep down, I know that’s the real reason why I turned down dinner the other night.

I’ve always been one to fall fast and hard. But with Callum, I fucking dive into the abyss. If I’m not careful, I’ll spiral out of control before I even have a chance to recognize that I’ve lost control.

I want to see where things can go with Callum, but I also have to protect my heart while doing it.

After I told him that I wouldn’t make it to dinner, he asked me if I wanted to go to the Gulf Shores Summer Fair with him this weekend. It’s a seaside carnival that comes to town one week out of the year with games, rides, and a variety of food trucks. I’ve obviously never been, but Callum said it’s worth experiencing at least once.

I said yes, mostly because I know that if we only hang out at Cal’s place, we won’t be doing much talking. When you’ve been pining after someone for over a decade, it’s hard not to want to jump their bones every chance you get. At least at the fair, we’ll be in public and won’t have to worry about fucking each other’s brains out.

We’ve been texting every day and even talked on the phone a few times, but hearing his voice doesn't come close to filling the void in my chest. It’s only been a week, and I already miss him like crazy. I feel like I’m seventeen again, counting down the minutes until I see him next.

With a giddy smile stretched across my face, I unlock my phone and type out a text to Callum.

Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful. And for the record, I think your job is pretty fucking cool too. We’re just a couple of badasses out here saving the world. I think it’s sweet that you miss me, but I promise that faking an illness just to see me isn't worth the ER bill. Trust me. I’ll call your clingy ass when I get off tonight. Miss you.

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