Page 32 of How to Lose a Lass

I kiss the top of her head. "Let's make you happy, then worry about me and Jamie."

We both get up and get on with life the best we can. I stick around until the next day, but then Calli insists I need to go home so I won't lose my job. She seems genuinely okay, in relative terms, and I believe it when she tells me she'll get through this ordeal.

Once I get back to my little apartment in Minneapolis, the first thing I do is call Jamie. We talk for an hour, but we both feel a little awkward about being happy while my sister and her brother are miserable. As the days go by, our phone calls become less awkward and more fun. We make each other laugh and talk about when we might get together again. Since Jamie has two rich brothers, and those guys share a private jet, it seems likely that she won't need to fly commercial to come visit me.

I want to go to Scotland right now. I need to pull her into my arms and kiss her until she's weak in the knees. When I tell Jamie I want to book a flight, she reminds me that Rory and Lachlan co-own a jet. Duh, I knew that. I guess I forgot because I feel weird about letting her brothers transport me to Scotland for free, but the longer I go without seeing her in person, the less I care about who pays for it.

Still, I can't leave America yet. Calli still has her divorce proceedings to worry about. I made a promise to myself that I would be here for my sister until her ordeal is over, and I won't renege on that. For the first two weeks after Aidan and Jamie went back to Scotland, I provide moral support for Calli while she deals with Rade and the divorce. At least the bastard relented at last, granting her a divorce and offering a financial settlement. In seven weeks, she will be free to marry Aidan.

"Don't jump the gun, Gav," my sister tells me as we're walking out of the lawyer's office. "Aidan and I still don't know if Seona's baby is his."

"But you love him like crazy, and I can't believe the universe would smack you both down like that."

She shrugs. "Life can really suck. Just have to pick yourself up and keep going, right?"

"Exactly."

Calli halts just as we're exiting the building. "You should go see Jamie. Or she should come to you."

"Uh, that statement came out of nowhere."

"No, it didn't. Make yourself happy, Gavin." She rubs her arms as if she's cold, though it's a warm day. "I just wish this divorce could be over today."

"Yeah, I know. My offer to beat the holy living shit out of Rade still stands. Just say the word."

"I appreciate that, but I don't think it will be necessary."

That afternoon, I fly home to Minneapolis---and I take my sister's advice. I make myself happy by calling Jamie. We talk for two hours. It's not enough, but it'll do for now. Jamie is happy to hear that Calli is almost free of her husband, but she also informs me of news at her end.

"Aidan is not the father of Seona's baby. We just heard the results of the paternity test. After that, Seona admitted that she'd slept with another man while she was with Aidan. At least that drama is over."

"That's great. I'm sure Calli and Aidan are relieved."

"Aye, they are." Jamie hesitates, and I swear I can almost hear her biting her lip. Maybe I just recognize the tone of her silence. Okay, that's dumb. But she does make a flat humming sound right before she speaks again. "You haven't heard, have you?"

"Heard what?"

"Aidan wants to marry Calli, but she threw him over."

"What?" I bolt upright. I'd been slouching in my easy chair, but Jamie's statement shocked me to my core. "Why the hell would Calli do that?"

"Dinnae know. She said goodbye to Aidan and hung up on him."

"Aw, shit. She's panicking." I slump into my chair again. "I need to call Tara. This is a two-person job."

"What is?"

"Talking my sister out of screwing up her life because she's afraid Aidan will turn into Rade."

"Good. That's exactly what I hoped you would say." She sighs. "Aidan is miserable, and I'm sure Calli is too."

Three days later, Tara and I knock on Calli's front door. She's stunned to see us, but happy too. We spend a good part of the day just hanging out with Calli until she finally fesses up and tells us everything. Aidan had written her the most romantic letter I've ever read, talking about how much he loves her and how much he needs her in his life. In the letter, Aidan told Calli to let me and Tara read it. He's a smart guy. Sharing his words with us finally helped my sister shake off her fears and realize what she needs to do.

"Jamie says Aidan is heartbroken," I tell my sister, "but he's trying to hide it. You're the same way, and if you don't get your ass on a plane right away, I'll hogtie you and send you to Aidan in a FedEx box."

Not sure if that threat is what pushed her in the right direction, but ten minutes later, Calli leaps off the sofa and stands up straighter than she has in weeks. "I'm going to Scotland to get my man."

Tara, the goofball, grins and squeals, leaping up and down. Then she hauls Calli into a bear hug that must be squeezing the life out of her. I can't help myself. Two of my favorite people in the world are happy, and I need to join in. It becomes a group hug. Then Calli rushes into the bedroom to pack her bags. Tara and I drive her to the airport, just to make sure she doesn't chicken out.

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