Page 58 of Call It Love

He was right. Chase and I could resolve our differences later. I didn’t know if Cam would give me that same opportunity, but I’d only prove her point if I let her drive me off.

I started to take Mac’s hand, but as we turned, I saw Chase standing in the doorway between the kitchen and dining room.

Mac gave me an encouraging smile, then went outside to find Emalee to tell her it was safe to come back inside.

“I messed up,” Chase said softly when we were alone. I read the regret in his eyes. The pain and fear that I would bolt.

“Ya think?” I muttered. “How could you do that to me?”

“I didn’t know it would unfold like that. I thought…I thought if they saw us together, really saw us, they’d get it. That they’d see how happy I am.”

“You really thoughtthiswas the moment to spring me on them?” I asked, sharper now. “They haven’t had time to process the past like you have, Chase. You put me in a room full of people who resent me and just hoped it would go well?”

He winced. “You’re right. I should have told them sooner. I kept thinking I needed to wait for the right moment, but I was afraid they’d come after you when I wasn’t around to stop it.” He shook his head. “I was trying to protect you, but clearly, I went about it all wrong.”

I snorted. “You can say that again.” But then I softened, trying to help him understand. “I’ve had my voice stolen from me for years, Chase. Don’t take it away from me, too, even if you think you’re protecting me. I need to speak for myself. Ihaveto.”

His jaw clenched, and his eyes filled with remorse. “I didn’t mean to silence you,” he said quietly. “And I sure as hell didn’t mean to let you down. I hear you, Blossom. I do.” He tilted his head and gave me a wry smile. “You picked one hell of a time to find your voice, but I have to admit, I’m fucking proud of how you stood up to Cam. And me,” he added sheepishly.

I sucked in a breath, startled by the truth of his words. I’d stood my ground with no fear of retaliation.

“I’m going to make this right. Come with me.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me back to the dining room table.

Cam sat stiffly in her chair, her mouth set in a hard line. She didn’t look at me, but neither did she say anything. Mac gave me a wink.

Chase took a breath and faced his family. “I need to say something,” he announced.

Everyone waited in anticipation.

“Anna works here. That’s true. But she’s not just someone filling Marta’s shoes, although, as you can see, she does that pretty damn well.” He turned back to me. “She’s someone who’s been missing from my life for years. She’s someone who matters to me. Someone I care about. Deeply.”

I swallowed hard, thrown by the swing of emotions in the past few minutes.

“I should have told you sooner, but I didn’t want to listen to your lectures,” he continued, looking directly at Cam and Bristol. “I thought if you saw her here, saw how hard she works, how much she cares, you’d come around on your own. Instead, I made her feel like someone insignificant. That’s on me.” He let his words settle in the silence, but then his voice dropped to a near growl. “I don’t know what the future holds. But hear this. This is my home. And while you’re welcome here, it’s with the understanding that Anna is a part of it. Part of my life.”

He turned to me, his voice gentling again. “I’m sorry for handling it so poorly. I hope you can forgive me. I will never make that mistake again.”

Silence filled the room. I glanced around the table. Cam crossed her arms, her chin lifting in quiet defiance at being called out in front of everyone. But a flicker of regret passed through her eyes, probably betraying more than she meant. Bristol didn’t say anything, but she met my gaze with a quiet, steady look which I hoped meant she acknowledged her brother’s words, maybe even accepted them. Em’s eyes were glossy.

Chase stayed close but didn’t reach for me. He put the next move clearly in my hands.

I smiled tremulously at him. “Thank you.”

With a clear sigh of relief, Chase pulled me into his arms and held me tight. “I’m so sorry,” he said, kissing the top of my head.

I nodded against his chest. We could finish talking about this later.

“Well,” Mac said, clearing his throat with a pointed glance around the table, “I, for one, want more of those biscuits before Iain eats them all.”

That cracked the tension. Iain, who held a biscuit in his hand, grinned before he took a large bite. “Delicious,” he said.

His mother sighed. “How many times have I told you not to talk with your mouth full?”

“A lot,” he answered, still chewing, making us all laugh except Em, who rolled her eyes.

Slowly, the clinking of silverware resumed, and conversations picked up again.

I wasn’t really hungry, but I put a small portion of breakfast casserole on my plate and sat down.

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