Page 36 of Simmer Down
A moan tickles the back of my throat. I suppress it. Airplane. Families. Children. Public decency laws.
That foreign look in Callum’s eyes takes on a familiar sheen: dilated pupils that are also cloudy. I’ve seen it many times in many men. But this is the first time I’ve ever witnessed it in Callum’s. And it has a name: lust.
His chest heaves. He lowers his mouth to my ear. “No. It’s a bloody bad idea. But I’m keen on bad ideas if it involves you, Nikki.”
Callum steps out of our row and strolls down the aisle toward the exit, without a second glance at me. Turning the corner, he disappears.
I’m relieved. Because those words he whispered in that low raspcause me to fall back into my seat, and I don’t want him to see the effect he has on me after just one transatlantic flight.
I’m going to need a minute to recover. Or ten.
I take a steadying breath, noticing the flirty flight attendant staring daggers at me from the front of the plane. She must have observed the exchange between Callum and me just now. There’s no mistaking our eye contact, the closeness of our bodies, the way he held my hand in his when he typed his number into my phone.
Callum just threw down the gauntlet. The only question: am I bold enough to be bad?
•••
I trudge up Primrose Hill, Callum’s words from two days ago still fresh in my head.
I’m keen on bad ideas if it involves you, Nikki.
Even two days of sightseeing in central London and exploring the Camden Town neighborhood where my aunt and uncle live did little to distract me. His words have been at the back of my mind the entire time.
I still haven’t reached out to him. He hasn’t reached out to me, either, but that’s not a surprise. He left the ball in my court. It’s one hundred percent up to me where we go from here. And still I have no idea what to do.
Despite Callum’s very sexy distraction, visiting my aunt and uncle has been the recharge I didn’t know I needed. My first night here they treated me to an epic dinner at their favorite Indian food spot, and they’ve been hugging me nonstop since I arrived. Just sitting and catching up with them has helped take my mind off the stresses from back home. Spending time together is like a cuddle for my soul. I make a mental note not to let so much time pass until our next visit.Maybe next time, we’ll have enough money so that Mom can come visit too.
I reach the top of the hill and take in the view of lush green hills around me. In the distance, countless skyscrapers and the iconic London Eye mark the horizon. The half dozen people standing around me take photos and videos. I’m not the only one taking advantage of this mild and sunny spring day. Joggers and walkers scatter across the park. There are parents pushing strollers and dogs playing fetch with their owners.
I snap a few photos of the skyline, then take a selfie. I start to shove the phone back in my pocket, but an idea hits and I pause. What if I send it to Callum? A friendly text and a selfie is a harmless way to break the contact barrier without setting any expectations.
I type out a quick message and send the photo before I change my mind.
Primrose Hill is gorgeous. All of London is actually. Why on earth did you leave?
Instead of staring at my phone in eager anticipation of his response, I shove it in the back pocket of my jeans and walk back down the hill. Halfway down, it buzzes. My heart thunders when I check and see it’s a text from Callum.
CALLUM:Because the weather here is miserable. You’ve caught us on an off day when it’s sunny. You look gorgeous BTW
I bite my lip, grinning to myself as I stroll around the park.
ME:It’s hard to beat Maui’s perfect weatherAlso, thank you. How are you?
CALLUM:I’m stuck in a pub watching my cousin and his knobhead friends do shots before the wedding. I was hoping I could text you for the next few minutes to avoid talking to them
I laugh softly to myself, then quickly text back.
ME:Of course. And yikes, sorry to hear that
CALLUM:Having a nice time with your family?
ME:Yes. They’ve been taking me all over Camden Town. My aunt and uncle had errands to run today, so I’m checking out the Primrose Hill area on my own. Such a cool neighborhood they live in.
CALLUM:You’re not far from me. My cousin’s family rented out the Grazing Goat pub for the reception tonight. It’s in Marylebone, only a few miles away.
My hand holding the phone tingles. Now that’s a sign from heaven if I’ve ever seen one. Callum is within reach. If I want him, all I have to do is say so.
Three gray dots appear at the bottom of his most recent message, then fade away. Again they reappear. Again they fade.
