Page 23 of Callum
She wasn’t yet willing to climb out. To touch her feet to the ground of her hometown. Because that would mean she was really back for her sister’s wedding, and she’d actually have to accept it, wouldn’t she?
Another beat ticked by. Slowly, she moved her fingers to the handle, but before she could touch it, the door was whipped open.
Callum raised a brow. “Come on. You can’t hide in there forever.”
“Why not?”
“Because then I’d go in and enjoy both my mealandyours.”
Ha. He was welcome to her food.
She climbed out of the car, grumbling as she went. “You’d still go to the rehearsal dinner without me?”
“Of course. And the wedding. Free food is free food.”
Yeah, because Mr. McMansion House needed free food. “You wouldn’t know anyone.”
“I’d just explain that I’m your boyfriend, and you’d come down with a bad cold. Once I dazzle them with my wit, they’d welcome me with open arms.”
The sad part was, he was probably right.
She walked around to where he’d pulled her bag out of the back and grabbed the handle, rolling it forward. “Fine. But only because I don’t want anyone touching my salmon.”
At least, she’d put salmon on her RSVP. Her sister would probably switch her choice to spite her. She’d then have to switch it back when Amanda went to the bathroom and blame it on Callum.
They crossed the lot and stepped into the reception area of the hotel. Immediately, her feet stopped.
Because there, in front of her, stood not only her parents but Freddie. And he looked exactly the same. His jawline was still chiseled, his brown hair immaculately slicked back, and his Ralph Lauren polo shirt fit perfectly across his thick chest.
Her mother rushed forward. Both her and her father were in their late fifties, with graying hair. She tugged Fiona into her chest. “Baby, you’re here!”
“I’m here, Mom.”
The second her mother released her, she cupped her cheek. “It’s so nice to see you.”
Next, her father stepped forward, and she leaned into his embrace. Her father’s hugs had always meant safety for her. Warm. Cozy. And that scent…mint and whiskey. She breathed it in. It was the smell of home.
“We’ve missed you, darling,” he said quietly.
She closed her eyes, hugging him tighter. “I missed you too, Dad.”
Her parents almost made her forget about the third familiar face standing behind them…almost. They parted, and Freddie stepped forward.
“Hey, Fiona.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek, his hand on her elbow, but she moved her head so he kissed air. Shedid notneed to feel his lips on her flesh. In fact, just having his hand on her elbow had her fingers twitching to nail the cheating bastard in the gut.
His smile was tight when he lifted his head. But she didn’t have time to think about that—because a thick, warm arm slipped around her waist and tugged her against an equally warm body. Freddie’s hand dropped. Good.
“Hi, everyone. I’m Callum Thomas. The boyfriend.” He said it with all the ease in the world, like a lie hadn’t just rolled off his tongue.
Her parents, of course, gushed over him, her mother giving him a kiss on the cheek and her father shaking his hand. Freddie, on the other hand, only managed a bumbled, “Hey.”
“Well, we should be getting to our room,” Fiona finally said, beyond ready to get the heck away from Freddie and his hard gaze.
But even as they walked away, she felt him staring after her.
CHAPTER9
Fiona tugged at the hem of her gold dress, staring at her reflection in the mirror of the small bathroom. The garment felt tight and scratchy and uncomfortable. Which was ridiculous because it was the softest dang silk she’d worn in her life. The front fell low between her breasts, while the back was also low cut, and the material hugged her hips.
