Page 56 of The Love Dose
“Your reward for manual labor. Something to warm you up,” I say.
He approaches me, his presence palpable, the air between us charged. He takes the mug from my hand, his fingers brushing mine. “Floating marshmallows?”
I nod, raising my gaze from his chest, my voice stuck in my throat. A tiny smirk reaches his lips before sipping his drink. Okay, maybe he's not completely oblivious.
I swallow hard and we sit by the table, the Scrabble game untouched from last night. My mind whirls, and the silence between us feels thick, like we’re both waiting for something. I’m praying he comes up with what to say, or it’s going to get real weird, real fast.
“There’s something I want to talk to you about,” Calvin finally says, bless him.
His expression is serious, and a ripple of nerves runs up my arms. Is he about to ask for more than friendship? My pulse quickens at the thought. Amazingly, I’m ready for this. I want it too.
“Sure, what’s on your mind?” I say, unable to sip my drink. The anticipation builds as he pauses to frame his words.
He moves his chair next to mine, placing his arm around my shoulder. I lean my head into the crook of his neck.
“Aunt Pearl never had kids of her own,” he says, confusing me.
I regroup, quickly. “Like me,” I say, trying to hide my disappointment. Clearly, I misread the situation. Big time.
He plants a soft kiss on my temple, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. No more hesitation in his affections. I’m in seventh heaven once more, my insides turning to mush.
“Did you ever want to be a mom?”
I sit upright. “Not really.”
Calvin averts his eyes. I’m not sure why but I’m suddenly feeling on guard.
He says, “You know that thing that slipped out by the fire yesterday after I had a couple?”
I get a strange feeling in my gut. I know what he means. I haven’t forgotten. “About being a dad soon?” I laugh, awkwardly.
“It’s true.”
No playfulness in his expression.
He takes a sip of his hot chocolate, leaving a thin cocoa mustache along his top lip. “I met someone in Africa.”
“What?”
The air is sucked out of the room. I’m standing now, unsure where to go or what to do. I was certain he was going to declare something meaningful aboutus, a heartfelt admission, taking our relationship to a new level. Not that he has another woman in his life!
I’m beside myself. Sam was right. How foolish I’ve been. A few meaningless kisses and my head went off to the races. I’m pathetic.
I hold back a sob. I need to get away from him but we’re stuck in this stupid post-storm prison.
His eyes follow my movement to the door. “Oh, wait. That’s not what I mean.”
“It’s my mistake. I just thought?—”
“Please listen.”
I hold up a hand, hoping he’ll stop speaking. I won’t be able to contain the tears much longer.
He’s beside me, gently lifting my chin. “Please, Caroline, hear me out.”
A wayward tear escapes, Calvin watching its progression as it streams down my cheek. “I met a young boy named Chacha. I adopted him.”
My head is spinning, trying to make sense of what he’s saying. “You adopted a child?”
