Page 57 of In Good Company

The entire time I’m cleaning up, I fight the inclination to tell her how much I like her. She brings out a different side of me as well. I’ve never dealt with feelings or caring for a woman before. Not in the way I’m starting to care for Lucy.

It’s refreshing and terrifying. I have no idea if she feels the same, and for the time being, I’m too nervous to even ask her. For right now, I don’t need to know how she feels. Knowing she won’t regret what’s happened so far between us is enough for me.

“Okay, I think we should be good,” I tell her, standing upand looking at my clean floor. I took the vacuum to it as well, wanting to make sure there weren’t any remaining shards of glass.

“Never did I think I’d see you on your hands and knees cleaning,” Lucy notes, sliding off the counter. “It was kind of sexy.”

I chuckle, grabbing her hand and pulling her body against mine. “Was it now?”

Lucy nods, her fingers twisting in the fabric of my shirt. “It was.”

I playfully nip at her lips, loving the feel of her body against mine. “I couldn’t risk you slipping or stepping on glass.”

Lucy smiles before wrapping her arms around my middle. She squeezes as she hugs me tightly.

The gesture makes me realize I don’t know if I’ve ever justhuggedsomeone. Not like this. Her ear presses to my chest, and I wonder if she can hear how fast my heart beats in this position.

I’ve never been interested in embracing someone like this, but as I tuck my chin over her head and hold her close to me, I realize I’d stand here all night if she wanted to.

It feels right to hold her just like this. “Thank you,” Lucy mutters, her words coming out a little muffled from where she talks against my chest.

“For what?”

“For tonight,” she answers, her body relaxing further against mine. “For letting me teach you a recipe and cooking with me. I felt more comfortable in front of a camera than I ever have.”

“You don’t have to thank me for it. I loved cooking with you and seeing you in your element. You’re meant to share your recipes with the world.”

She laughs against me. “You have way too much faith inme. The video we made tonight could still suck. I need to watch it and see.”

I shake my head. “I’ll have all the faith in you until you have it in yourself. What are we making tomorrow?”

Lucy pulls her head up and looks at me. “Cal, we can give it some time. You don’t have to make another video with me tomorrow.”

I don’t know how it isn’t obvious to her how much I want to be around her. I’ve been very clear about how I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. I want to cook more with her tomorrow. I want to spend time with her. “I know. So what are we making?”

Lucy purses her lips as she thinks about my question for a moment. “I’ll have to think on it tonight. I like my trip to the farm stand to guide my recipes for the day as well, so I won’t know for sure until tomorrow morning.”

I nod my head before giving her a smile. “Can’t wait to find out tomorrow, then.”

“You’re so stubborn. You really don’t have to film with me tomorrow.”

I press a light kiss to her lips. “I know.”

“You’re still going to do it anyway, aren’t you?”

I smile and nod my head before pressing another kiss to her lips. “I sure am. I can’t wait.”

She sighs but doesn’t stop beaming while doing it. Fuck, she’s beautiful. “What am I going to do with you, Callahan Hastings?”

I grab her hips and pull her close to me, having the perfect idea. I know exactly what I want her to do with me before she goes home tonight. “Kiss me.”

THIRTY-ONE

LUCY

“Thank you again for paying for the prescription, Lu. You know I hated having to call you,” my mom tells me through my phone’s speaker.

I sigh as I sit back in the seat of my Bronco, waiting for a group of joggers to pass in front of me. It’s another beautiful morning in the Hamptons. There are a lot of people already out enjoying the weather despite the early hour as I drive to Dolores’s farm stand.

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