Page 97 of Both Sides Now

Okay, heart, open up one last time. If anyone deserves a second chance, it’s this woman.

Once again, I clasp her hand, running my thumb against her skin. “Actually, it could be a new start for us.”

Her gray eyes meet mine, wide with disbelief. “You want me to go with you?”

In that instant, I know it’s exactly what I want, but I also know she’s fragile. Before Calli freaks out, I’ll lay down some ground rules. Hopefully, they’ll ease her mind.

“Of course, I do, but we won’t rush into anything. We can live near each other, see each other a few times a week.”

“Near each other?” She furrows her brow, seeking clarification.

“Yes. Same town. Hell, same complex if you want.”

A muscle jumps in her jaw as she reaches for her wine. “We’ll be neighbors. How quaint.”

I pull my hand back and wipe my palm on the napkin. “More than neighbors. Obviously.”

She raises the glass again, a glower clouding her features.“My mistake. Neighbors whofuck.”

Okay, this is not going well. “I don’t look at you as someone I fuck, Calli. You were my girlfriend.”

“Emphasis onwas, right?” Another swallow disappears from her wineglass. At this rate, she’ll down a bottle before we order. “What about my life here? I have the wellness center and my house.”

“It’s a seller’s market, so you’ll get top dollar for your house. Plus, they love yoga and massage down there. You can open a wellness center anywhere. Or, branch out and become a chain.”

Calli takes deep gulping breaths, her gaze focused on her empty plate. “Sell my house. Right. Sell the house I bought with Charlie to move to Long Island and be yourneighbor.”

“It’s a start. We ease into things this time.”

“How is that easing into anything, Keegan? You want me to uproot my entire life, sell my home?—”

“You don’t even like that house.” Hey, it’s the truth. She’s told me on several occasions how she never wanted to buy it.

Now, she has a chance to sell it and start anew.

“That’s not the point,” she argues.

My anger rises with every passing minute, as my foot taps erratically against the floor. “Then whatisthe point, Calli? I know this is a big change, but change is good. Change is necessary.”

“For whom? You? You’ve got this huge job offer and your family and friends down there. What do I have?”

A few restaurant patrons glance in our direction as Calli’s voice increases with every syllable.

“Me. You have me.”

“As. Your.Neighbor.”

Maintain your cool, Keegan. The neighbor idea did not go over well. Time for a new plan.

I toss my napkin on the table and raise my hands in surrender. “We can buy a house together, then. I didn’t think you’d want to move quickly with me. Not after Mystic.”

Calli finally meets my gaze, her eyes bright with tears. “Do you want to move quickly? What do you want from me, Keegan?”

Christ, she is not asking me that question.

What do I want from her? Everything.

What will I admit right now? At this point, not a whole hell of a lot.

---