Page 32 of My Song for You
“Do you know what else you would like?” Callie pushed back a stray strand of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail.
“I’ll have a cheeseburger with bacon.”
“Do you want fries or a salad with that?” She grinned, knowing full well what I thought of salad. In my opinion, the only time lettuce should be on my plate was in a burger or sandwich. Lettuce was for rabbits, not people. She left without waiting for my answer.
“Can I try?” Logan pointed at my guitar pick, and I spent the next few minutes helping him with the trick.
“Don’t worry,” I told him after he dropped it on the table for the tenth time. “It just takes practice.” I took the pick from him and slipped it back into my pocket.
Callie returned ten minutes later, placed our plates in front of us, and set a plate of fries and a club sandwich next to Logan’s. “I’ll be right back.”
She returned minus her tray and sat next to her son. “Alice insisted I take my lunch break while you two are here.” She hugged her son. “How was preschool?”
Logan mumbled what sounded like “good” around a mouthful of fries.
I sampled a fry. “Okay, these have to be the best fries I’ve ever tasted. How am I only learning about them now?”
Callie laughed. It was amazing how much a person could miss hearing a laugh, especially hers. “Had a lot of experience with fries, huh?”
“You better believe it. You forget I’ve traveled extensively around the US and Canada. Although I must admit poutine is up there too.”
Lines formed between her eyes. Who knew a frown could look so adorable? “Poutine?”
“It’s fries, gravy, and cheese curds. It’s really good.”
She screwed up her nose. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”
We spent the short time she had left for her lunch break eating and talking. The tension from the past few days, since I first bumped into her, had eased slightly, though it still lurked under the surface. For a second, the urge to kiss her senseless and convince her to tell me what was really bothering her pulsated through me, but I suspected that even then she wouldn’t tell me.
“Okay, buddy, are you ready to watch the band play?” I asked as Callie got up to return to work.
She kissed him on the cheek. “I have to work late tonight, but I’ll be home in time to tuck you into bed.”
“Aren’t you gonna kiss Jared?” he asked.
She gave a nervous laugh. “Why would I do that?”
“ ’Cause he got hurt at the playground. You have to kiss him all better.”
Her eyes widened. “Are you okay?” she asked me.
“I’ll survive. I wasn’t paying attention while Logan was swinging and ended up on my as—I mean, my butt.”
She chuckled and began walking away.
“No, Mommy. You have to kiss him.”
I held my hands out to the side. “You heard him. You’re supposed to kiss me.” I might have also smirked, challenging her. Why, I had no idea.
She leaned down and gently pressed her lips against my cheek. I’d expected a quick peck, like my great-aunt gave me when I was a kid. Instead, Callie’s soft lips lingered for a moment before she slowly pulled back. My breath halted in my chest.
I ached to grab her back and taste her lips on mine, but she was already out of reach.
“You feel better now?” she asked.
No.“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll see you two tonight.” And with that, she walked away—leaving me still craving to taste her for real.
