Page 48 of Free to Dream
I sigh audibly. I brought all of my demons to the forefront of my mind. He knows this, and he knows I did it in part to brace him for what being with me would be like. What he doesn’t realize yet is that they haven’t ever really left that space. He can’t shelter me from them, especially not when I sleep.
“Just don’t lie to me, Caleb. If it gets to be too much, knowing about me and what I was, be honest with me. That’s all I ask.”
“Right now, I can’t imagine a scenario where that would ever be a possibility.” His response is immediate.
His phone beeps. Cursing, he reaches between us for it. “It’s Ry. He said they have a booth toward the back near the dance floor. Are you ready?”
Am I ready?
Yes. Yes, I am.
I nod, and after a quick squeeze of my fingers, he says, “Wait here,” and jumps out of the car. Jogging quickly around to my side, he swings the door open and reaches over the low-slung door for my hand. “Ready for part two, Ms. Freeman?”
“Part three, Mr. Lockwood,” I say without thinking.
His eyes search mine, incredulously.
“Just because something is a difficult mess, doesn’t mean you won’t find something beautiful in it,” I say softly, reaching up to touch his lips. “I like to remind myself of that. It gives me hope.”
His eyes flare at my meaning. He reaches up with his hand, captures my fingers against his mouth while he kisses them hard.
“You’re right, Pixie. Part three. Shall we?”
“Lead on.”
* * *
We walkinto Molly Darcy’s and hear the blare of country music over the speakers.
I’m pretty certain the sound system is having a traumatic breakdown.
I remember Caleb saying something about this being a wedding reception. I raise up on my toes and he leans down. “Were we supposed to bring a gift?” I say loudly into his ear.
“No,” he assures. “The couple asked for donations to Danbury’s Pediatric Cancer Ward in lieu of gifts. Ry took care of the donation for all of us.”
“I need to settle up with him then for my part.”
He rolls his eyes at me.
“You do realize if I ask you out at some point, Caleb, I’m going to expect to pay.”
“I’ll just have to ask first then, won’t I?”
I smile, pulling my poncho over my head. After draping it over my arm, Caleb’s arm immediately circles my waist. I lean into his embrace, my head resting against his upper chest. His arm tightens. I find him smiling down at me, his eyes burning into mine. “Do you see your brother?”
After staring at me another moment, his eyes scan the room. His eyes catch on something and he starts cursing under his breath. “Yeah, I do.”
At this point, I’m cursing my height as I bob and weave while Caleb keeps his hold on me. “What is it?”
“Keene is standing at our table too.”
“Your best friend?” He nods, even as his eyes flash in displeasure. “You don’t seem too thrilled.”
“He’s very black and white, Cassidy, where things are in the right or wrong column. With the life he’s lived, things that have happened to him, I don’t understand living that way, but I understand him being that way. What we have between us…” He trails off, while I mentally love the idea that he used the term us. “He just can’t place it in the right column yet, so therefore it’s wrong. I imagine he’s going to be a dick.”
I scoff. “Please. I deal with those daily. Remember why y’all hired me?”
Caleb turns me toward him and cups my face. “That’s business. Just don’t take anything he says to heart, Pixie. What matters is right here.”
