Page 80 of In Good Company

“Charlotte.” I sigh, wondering what they’re all keeping from me. It’s not like it’s even close to my birthday or anything of that nature. I’m dying of curiosity about why I’m even being surprised to begin with. “Should I be nervous?” I ask cautiously.

She gives me a warm smile. “No, Lucy. You should be excited. I promise this is something I know you’ll be excited about.”

“So, youdoknow!”

Her eyes go wide for a moment before she tosses her hair over her shoulder and shrugs. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ll call you once my shift is over! Love you!”

Before I can ask her anything else, she ends the FaceTime and leaves me staring at my phone with a million questions running through my head.

Since Charlotte is no help at all, after I finish getting ready, I decide to slip on a simple dress I picked out on my shopping date with Cal last week. Even though I’ve never stayed the night with him, I’ve learned to keep an extra bag of clothes here just in case. Sometimes in the middle of the day, Cal decides we need to go golfing, or he wants to have people over for dinner or even grab food at the club. Because of that, I needed a few options to keep here for when those things come up. And tonight, I’m very proud of myself for being prepared.

I think the new dress should be perfect for whatever secret thing Cal has planned. It’s a simple black halter dress with small white polka dots all over it. The fabric feels like butter against my skin, making it comfortable, but it can also pass as a little dressy if needed.

I’m busy searching my purse for a clip or a headband to help pull some hair out of my face when Cal walks into the primary bathroom.

“Fuck, I forgot how much I love you in that dress,” he notes.

My entire body flushes at the way he stares at me. He leans against the opening to the bathroom, one ankle crossed over the other as his heated gaze drinks me in.

“That’s a good thing, since you’re the one who bought it,” I respond, giving up on finding anything in my purse and tucking my hair behind my ear.

I give him a smile through the mirror before doing a quick spin in the dress to show it off.

A low hum of approval passes his lips as he pulls my back to his chest, his eyes still pinned on me through our reflection. “You’re beautiful,” he tells me, his voice low.

A shiver runs down my spine at the tender way he holds me, mixed with the grittiness of his words. It’s the small moments just like this that make me wish things were different.

From the moment I came to the Hamptons, I’ve known my place was always back home. I’m okay with that. Although taking over the family store was never my dream, I’d do anything for my parents. They’ve already gone through so much, it wouldn’t be fair for me to ask them to keep working just so I can stay here in the Hamptons. And I’d never ask my father to sell something he’s poured his entire life into, but it doesn’t mean that when Cal looks at me just like this, I don’t wish there was a way I could move back to Virginia and also keep him.

“Tell me what you’re thinking about.” I love the deep, throaty sound of his voice, even if there’s no way I’ll answer his question honestly.

“I was just thinking about how lucky I feel right now,” I answer. It’s kind of the truth. I wouldn’t want things I can’t have with Cal if I didn’t feel so incredibly lucky to have the short amount of time I do have left with him.

He presses a soft kiss to my neck. I love the scrape of his stubble against my sensitive skin and the way his scent surrounds me because of the proximity of our bodies.

“Baby, I’m the lucky one,” he responds huskily.

My eyes flutter shut as he peppers the softest of kisses along my neck. I keep my eyes closed, trying to ignore the sinking feeling settling throughout my entire body as I realize I’m doing exactly what I said I wouldn’t.

I think I’m falling for Callahan Hastings.

The realization is terrifying. I try to push the feeling away, pretending that if I don’t think about it or dwell on it, maybe it’ll go away.

When my eyes open and I find him watching me through our reflections, I know that as much as I’m going to try and ignore the feelings, it won’t take away the fact that they’re there. That what I feel for him is real and getting deeper with each day I spend with him.

“You ready for your surprise?” he asks, breaking me from my thoughts.

I nod before turning around so I can wrap my arms around his neck. “Should I be nervous?”

He shakes his head. “No, you should be excited for this surprise. I’m confident you’ll love it.”

I search his face for any clues about what it could be. “Really? You’re confident? Now I’m even more intrigued.”

He gives me his typical cocky smirk that makes me melt every time before grabbing my hand and taking a step back. “Let’s go find out.”

I let him lead me down the hallway, my heart picking up speed, getting more excited with each step we take. He seems to be leading me to the kitchen. The closer we get, the more I hear the faint sound of music filling the space.

We’re just about to turn the corner andwalk into the kitchen when Cal turns around. For the first time, I see a nervous smile on his lips.

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