Page 52 of Keeping You
“Details, Callie,” she presses. “You're practically glowing. Is he... You know... that good?”
“Excuse me,” I hiss, glancing around to make sure no one can hear us. “I am not discussing my sex life with you in the middle of a party.”
“And personally, I don’t want to know,” Harper adds as she passes on her way into the kitchen.
Nikki laughs, unrepentant. “That good, huh? Good for you.”
I roll my eyes, but a flush spreads across my cheeks and down my neck. “If you must know, everything is perfect.He'sperfect.”
“Wow.” Her teasing tone softens. “You really love him, don't you?”
“I do.” The words feel so right in my mouth. “I really, really do. I think I always have.”
I search the room and find him in a serious-looking conversation with Harper in the corner. They must feel my eyes on them because they both look up and quickly glance away when they see me watching.
“Then I'm happy for you,” Nikki says, yanking my attention back to her. “Just be careful, okay? I know he's different now, but?—”
“He is,” I interrupt gently. “We both are. We're not the same kids we were back then.”
She studies my face for a long moment, then nods. “I can see that. Just know that if he hurts you, sheriff's badge or no sheriff's badge…”
I laugh and bring her into a hug. “I know, I know, you’ll follow through with your threat. But you won't have to.”
The confidence in my voice surprises me. But it's true. Whatever happens between Luke and me, I know it won't be like before. We've both grown and found our way back to each other wiser and more certain.
The party shifts into full swing as more guests arrive. Anna's food is a hit with platters of delicate pastries and savory treats disappearing almost as fast as she can bring them out. Beer brewed locally flows freely, and laughter fills the space, bouncing off the walls and spilling out into the warm evening air.
I find Luke by the dessert table, deep in conversation with a member of the library board. When he sees me approaching, his entire face lights up, and he extends his hand toward me withoutbreaking his conversation. I slide my fingers into his and step into his side, enjoying the light circles he’s rubbing on my wrist.
“...and Callie's been instrumental in revitalizing our community programs. The children's reading hour has never been so popular.”
“I'm not surprised,” Luke says, his voice filled with pride. “She's pretty amazing.”
The simple compliment, spoken so matter-of-factly, sends a flutter through my stomach. We excuse ourselves to get another drink and something to eat.
“Having fun?” Luke's voice is low in my ear.
“I am.” I lean into him. “You?”
“Mmm,” he hums, his lips brushing my temple. “Though I keep thinking about earlier. Out where we parked the truck all those years ago.”
Heat floods my cheeks. “Thank God the trees and shrubs had grown enough to hide us from view.”
“Can't help it if my girlfriend is irresistible, and I need to show her how much I love her whenever the urge comes over me.”
Girlfriend. The word still gives me a thrill every time he says it.
“Callie.” Harper's voice cuts through the crowd. She waves excitedly from across the room, beckoning me over. “I need your opinion on something.”
I glance up at Luke, who nods. “Go. I'll find you.”
Harper is surrounded by a group of women, including Ruby and her granddaughter Daisy, who's now sporting a new pixie cut that suits her perfectly. They're all clustered around a large photo album.
“Look what I found in the storage room upstairs,” Harper says excitedly as I approach. “Mom's old scrapbooks from when we were kids.”
She flips to a page showing a much younger version of us, with gap-toothed grins and matching braids, our arms thrown around each other's shoulders at what looks like the Founder's Day Festival circa 2000.
“Oh, my goodness,” I laugh, taking the album from her. “Look at us. Those overalls were a choice.”
