Page 81 of In Good Company

“Close your eyes for me, Lucy baby,” he instructs, his voice soft. I know I must still be confused about my feelings for him because the gentle tone to his words and the look in his eyes tricks my mind into thinking he might actually be falling for me too.

“Do I really need to close my eyes?” I ask, shifting anxiously from one foot to the other. Excitement courses through my veins at whatever this surprise is. Just by Cal’s demeanor, I can tell that whatever it is, he’s nervous about revealing it to me. But it’s a cute kind of nervous. Almost like he’s put a lot of thought into it and is anxious to see my reaction.

“Yes, close your eyes. The sooner you do it, the sooner you can see your surprise.”

A smile spreads over my lips, but I do as I’m told. I close my eyes. I expect Cal to start walking again, but instead, he presses a quick kiss to my lips.

“Okay, keep them closed,” he tells me, his lips moving against mine. He keeps them there for a moment before the warmth of his lips against mine is gone.

He starts to walk, his steps slowing as he carefully guides me the rest of the way to the kitchen.

The music gets a little louder and filters through the surrounding space. I don’t recognize the song playing, but it reminds me of something you’d hear while summering in Italy.

“I’m going to count down from three. When I make it to zero, open your eyes.”

I nod in understanding, my lips twitching with a budding smile. I don’t know if anyone’s ever taken this many steps to surprise me. I have no idea what he’s hiding in his kitchen, but Iknow I’ll love it because he cared enough to plan it in the first place.

“Three,” he begins, keeping his voice steady.

My heart slams against my chest in anticipation. I’m so excited that I can’t even wipe the wide smile from my face.

“Two…”

I swear he’s counting slowly just to torture me. I’m dying for him to make it to zero so I can see.

“One…”

“Zero…”

I open my eyes immediately, not even waiting for him to tell me to do so, and the loudest gasp leaves my lips, and I cover my mouth in shock.

“Cal,” I get out, my voice barely above a whisper as I take in the sight in front of me.

I don’t even know where to look. His kitchen has been transformed into a filming area. Lights have been set up in every corner to perfectly illuminate the kitchen, and on the counter, there’s a tripod with a nice camera connected to it. There’s even a microphone attachment on the camera as well as an iPad that shows exactly what the camera is filming.

“What do you think?” Cal asks, his hand finding my back.

I want to look at him, but I can’t. I can’t pull my gaze from the sight in front of me. Also on the counter are the new dishes he insisted on buying me a week ago, along with some new items I’ve never seen before. Cutting boards, knives, and bowls are all lined up on the counter.

He’s created the perfect setup.

It’s the most thoughtful thing anyone’s ever done for me, and I have no idea how to even form coherent enough words to tell him that.

“This,” I begin, my voice cracking with the emotions clogging my throat. My eyes sting with tears of gratitude. I don’tknow if I want to continue to take in every thoughtful item in front of me or if I want to look at him and hope he sees in my eyes all the things I’m too overwhelmed to say.

Cal reaches out and runs his knuckles along my cheek. There’s so much softness in his face, even despite the hard lines of his perfectly chiseled features. “There’s one more thing,” he says, using the hand that was just pressing against my skin to point across the kitchen.

“Lucy, I’d love for you to meet Enzo Russo. His restaurant in Italy has been awarded three Michelin stars. He so graciously accepted my offer for him to fly out here and teach you some of his most popular and authentic dishes. He’s also agreed to allow you to film the entire experience.”

I think the chef steps into the kitchen, but I don’t see him. Not really. One minute, my feet are on the ground; the next minute, I’m catapulting my body against Cal’s and trusting he’ll catch me. My arms wrap around his neck as his wrap around my middle.

I tuck my face against his neck as my body shakes from being so happy and overwhelmed. “Cal, I have no words,” I say, my voice coming out muffled.

He laughs, the sound of it vibrating against my body. “Does that mean I did okay?”

I nod, hoping he can feel it. “Yes,” I mutter, still in complete awe of the sweet gesture. I woke up this morning thinking it was going to be a normal Thursday, and here he was, planning the sweetest surprise anyone’s ever done for me, just because.

If I wasn’t already falling for him, this would’ve done it. But who could blame me? How was I not supposed to fall for Callahan Hastings when he does things as thoughtful and sweet as this?

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