Page 28 of Shadow Dance

He frowns, like he wasn’t expecting me to admit to this. “What can I do?”

Huffing softly, I press my cheek into the pillow. “I don’t think you can do anything, Callum.”

“Why not?” He sits up on his elbow, staring at me. “We’ve always helped each other through shit.”

“Yeah, but we were usually on the same page. These days it’s like we live totally different lives.” I breathe deeply, preparing myself for how he might react to my next words. “I don’t think coming here was a mistake, but staying might be.”

He groans. “Nah, come on. Not this again. I know it’s been a crazy year, but everything I do is for us. To get things set up.”

“But can you understand why I feel the way I do?” I ask. “You keep saying you’re done with selling, but you never stop. And if that’s how you want to live, fine. I can’t stop you. But I don’t have to stick around for it.”

“Is this because I was out of town again last week?” He drops to his back, staring up at the ceiling.

“It’s—”

“Why do you threaten to leave every time you don’t get your way?” he complains. “Didn’t we have a fucking amazing time tonight?”

“Yes, we did,” I say sharply. “But that doesn’t make up for all the other shit!”

“Let me ask you something,” he says, voice dropping in a way I don’t like. “When you say you wanna leave, do you mean leave California? Or me?”

My heart thumps, a warning to choose my words carefully. “California.”

“Because we’ve been together a long time, Maeve.” He runs his hand over my body, pulling me beneath him once more. He’s already hard again. “You don’t just throw something like that away.”

I turn my face, but he brings it back to his, kissing me deeply. Possessively. “I can’t do this on my own,” he whispers. “We’re finally making a life together—same time, same place. I can’t let you go now.”

The next morning,I wake up early. I take a quick shower and change into my tights and leotard, eager to get going. The OaklandBallet has adult classes ranging from beginner to advanced, so I’m going to try one this morning, before Pilates. See if I can handle it.

Jaime comes over, letting himself in through the French doors while I’m in the kitchen.

“Morning,” I murmur, my face warming as images of last night’s inappropriate fantasy come to mind. I wonder if he’s ever had any about me. Although, it’s not like he’s lonely. Jaime might be busy taking care of me, but I’m sure he finds time to hook up. All Callum’s guys do.

“Morning.”

“Coffee?” It’s kind of a joke between us now. I’m half-tempted to get an espresso machine so I can make that Cuban coffee he loves so much.

“Actually, I brought you some,” he says, sliding a cup toward me as he takes his seat at the counter.

I whirl around, surprised at the sweet gesture. The thought of him thinking of me this morning while he made his cafecito is better than any fantasy I’ve had. “Thank you.” I duck my head, hiding my warm face as I accept the little cup. “Can I get you anything to eat? I’m having toast.”

He shakes his head. “I ate.”

“Oh, wow. This is good.” I sip the deliciously sweet coffee, spreading my toast with butter and blackberry jam. We’re almost out of both, as well as a couple of other things. “Can we stop by the grocery store today? After my classes?”

He nods, sipping his coffee. “You know you don’t have to ask.”

“Well, I’m not going to demand,” I joke.

“I mean, you could,” he says, mouth twitching with a smile. “Anything else on the agenda?”

I pause to nibble on my toast. “Hiking.”

“Hiking?” He puts his paper down and leans back, hands folded over his belly. “Where, exactly?”

“Tilden,” I say, navigating to a local parks and rec page on my phone. “There are so many trails around there. I checked out a few when I first moved here, but it’s been a while.”

He nods thoughtfully, impossible to read. As usual. Is it weird to ask him to take me hiking? It would require more alone time together thanusual. Callum probably wouldn’t like it, but I don’t care. If he wants me to stay, I need more of a life beyond this house.

---