Page 56 of Real Fake Husband

He pauses when he notices the sad expression on my face.

All kinds of thoughts run through my head.

I had no idea. That’s horrible. I want to cry.

Is that why he was such a rebellious, angry kid? Is that why he hardly ever drinks and prefers his home neat and spotless? Is that why he likes being outside so much? No wonder he threw my sandwiches—made with obvious love by my mother—in the dirt and spat on them. Or that he never appreciated how much I loved drawing, and that he didn’t understand he’d burned more than just a sheet of paper.

The wings on his back suddenly make sense.

I offer him a few heartfelt words, but it’s like he’s not even listening. Instead, he shakes his head. “Don’t read too much into it, don’t Sigmund Freud me. What’s done is done,” he continues. “I’m not scarred. It’s hard to miss anything that you never had. Gran’s home was cozy. She loved Theo. I didn’t miss a thing.”

He doesn’t say more, and I don’t press, instead trying to steer the topic to a happier one. “How did you survive her cooking?”

He shrugs. “Mostly I ate at Theo’s house—a simple bagel with cheese or something he and I bought at the corner store,” Cal says. “At Gran’s house, we lived off her cookies. Theo loved them just as much as I did. We ate them by the bucketful. Later, when we were a bit older, we were always on the go, so he and I would end up eating out.”

“That sounds about right.”

“I like to stay busy. Speaking of which, I’m headed out.”

“Didn’t you just get home?” I ask.

“And?”

On the go again. “Where are you going? Work again?”

“Theo and I are meeting up with some guys to talk shop. A couple of them have expressed interest in working for me once the dealership is up and running, so I want to get a little more on them. We’ve already hired quite a bit of staff, but it can’t hurt to have some backup in case someone doesn’t work out.”

“Wow, that’s awesome that they’d be willing to just leave their current jobs at the drop of a hat.”

Cal gets to his feet. “Some people know what they want and just go for it.” He winks at me.

“I’m perfectly fine right where I am. I already told you, I have plans.”

“Plans that still include working at the diner.”

“Is there something wrong with that?”

“No, of course not. I just think you’re afraid to lose your safety net.”

“Without a safety net, people hit the ground. I don’t need that, thanks.” A lump forms in my throat.

Cal towers over me, and I look up. “But what’s the point of life if you don’t take a few risks?” he asks. “Especially when you’ve got so much going for you.”

For the slightest moment, I think he’s going to bend down and kiss me again. Think or want him to? Shit, I’m not sure which. But he doesn’t give me a chance to figure it out, because he’s stepping away and heading for the door.

“Be home late. Don’t wait up.”

My head is spinning too much to come up with a clever response. Not to mention my heart.

I hear the front door close and fall over, burying my face into my pillow and letting out a muffled scream.

22

CAL

I’m not entirely looking forward to the dinner with the Osborns. Not because I have anything to prove to them. Mostly because I want to get it over with and focus on more important things. Although I have to say, I am impressed with Josie.

First, she left me open-mouthed by not putting up a real fight and agreeing to go through with the “we’re married” charade. Well, it’s not really a charade, because wearemarried.

---