Page 163 of Shattered

Callum, thank goodness, decided not to comment on it this time. “I didn’t know you were stopping by. Want to eat with us?”

Callum started plating their dinner as Ashlyn shook her head.

“No. No. I have a million things to do tonight. But I wanted to stop by and give you this.” She reached out and placed a manila folder in Callum’s hand.

“What is it?” he tentatively pulled back the seal.

“It was one of the stipulations I put in the divorce. You’d be surprised how much I got out of that wretched man. He had so many accounts filled to the brim that I’d had no idea about. Anyway, I thought about selling this, but honestly, it's always been yours. It’s where you are the happiest, and I wanted you to have it.”

Callum’s head jerked forward as he started rapidly breathing. “Mom? You know I can’t accept this.”

She shook her head. “Nonsense. Think of it as a congratulations present for opening up the new restaurant and shops. I am so proud of you!” She quickly looked between both Sam and Callum. “I’m so proud of both of you.”

It wasn’t until Ashlyn had already walked out the door that Sam got Callum’s attention.

“What is it?”

“She paid off the beach house and put it in my name.” He flipped the folder upside down and caught the keys that slipped out.

“Oh my God!” Sam stared at him wide-eyed.

“You got into that online grad program, right?”

“Yeah?” It was her first choice, as Charleston was where Callum would have most likely ended up, but they were still trying to figure out the living situation and student loans aspect.

“I think we just figured out where we’re going to live.”

She crashed into him then, wrapped her legs around his waist, and kissed him until she had to come up for air.

They didn’t eat dinner that night.

Instead, they spent the better part of the next three hours making each other scream the other’s name across every surface of that small apartment.

By the next week, they were boxing everything up and loading the moving van.

*******

Sam was fidgeting by the elevator door when Callum finally walked back into the living room.

“What’s wrong?”

“I know I still have another thirty minutes, but I think I’m going to go ahead and head out. I’m worried about parking and what if there is a wreck or maybe road work, or what if–”

“Sam. It’s okay. Go be an amazing therapist.” He cupped her face and kissed her. “Let me know you got there safely.”

“I will.” She squeezed him one last time and then stepped onto the elevator.

He laughed as he heard her nervous squeal of excitement as the elevator lowered her to the garage.

The phone rang just as he fidgeted with the box sitting in his closet.

“You ready?” Micah asked when Callum answered.

“I’m nervous.” He opened the box once more and then promptly closed it once he realized its contents were safe. This had become his hourly ritual over the last few days.

“Why?” Micah questioned, and from his tone, Callum could tell he had an incredulous look on his face.

“What if she says no?”

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