Page 47 of Let Me Be the One
“We’ll bring in your mattress,” Tanner said on his way to the living room. “And then we’ll let you call it a night.”
Meaning she was no longer invited over to help clean, or to have dessert? Actually, it was a moot thought because Glory was with Kam, she had a plate of dessert from Addie, and Kam informed her he and Addie had already put the dinner stuff away.
Meaning Glory hadn’t helped? Seemed likely.
She wouldn’t worry over it. People were who they were, and she wasn’t likely to change any of them tonight. But she did understand them. Somewhat.
Kam was a charming character, always ready to tease without ever really sharing himself. Addie was a caretaker, through and through, anxious to mother one and all. Sutter, her ex, was a product of his wealth and influence, selfish and entitled. Glory was steeped in her insecurities and doing her best to hide them, which often made her seem standoffish.
And Tanner… Mmm, Tanner. She watched as he and Kam wrestled the mattress back down the hall.
Tanner was a challenge, a steamy temptation, and a man who just plain did it for her. Never mind her broken engagement, her change of plans, or her unknown future. None of that was what made Tanner so appealing.
It was deeper than that. An innate connection. A gut feeling.
It was worth exploring.
She’d do her best to be patient while he figured it out. After all, she wasn’t going anywhere, no matter how he’d prefer it.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE NEXT FEWdays were something of a routine, and Callie took comfort in knowing what to expect—in the short run, anyway. Each morning, Tanner or Kam had showed up to make sure she had the hang of caring for the animals. Addie visited her during the day. Glory alternated between complaining about wanting to go home, and looking at her phone.
She could have told Glory to go home, but that would mean she was at the house by herself. At night. Daytime was fine, but those pitch-black evenings with wailing goats and intrusive raccoons, not to mention the bugs, tended to weird her out a little. It was easier to sleep with Glory in the bed right next to her.
In between the never-ending chores, Callie immersed herself in recording her progress so they could post it later. She also fixed up the house so it’d be more livable. And in between those things, she dreamed up ways to seduce Tanner.
Twice more, she’d accepted Addie’s invitations to dinner.
She was supposed to dine with them again tonight.
Addie swore she loved the female company, and Kam joked enough to keep her entertained, but each time Tanner grew more remote.
The third night, he wasn’t even at dinner. She’d beenlooking forward to seeing him again all day, especially since Kam had visited her that morning instead of Tanner. Now he wasn’t here, either.
Even to herself, Callie refused to admit how much it bummed her. She decided to ignore his absence, as if it didn’t matter at all. “I don’t know how you do it every night, but the dinner is incredible.”
“Chicken Marsala,” Addie said. “It was a new recipe for me.”
“It’s perfect with the rice,” Glory said. “I’ve never had better.”
Hmm. At least Glory was making the effort to atone for her first performance at dinner. Now, she was all compliments and an occasional shy smile at Kam, which he ignored.
Unfortunately, after a few bites, she seemed to realize they were missing someone. “Tanner isn’t joining us?”
“Nell called,” Kam said, as if that explained it. He went back to eating without elaborating.
It immediately made Callie wonder who Nell was and why Kam was quiet about it.
I will not ask, I will not ask, I will no—
Addie huffed, appearing disappointed in her discretion. “Nell is sixteen, soon to be seventeen, actually. She’s a real sweet girl, but she has some difficulties at home.”
“Difficulties?” Callie asked in concern.
Kam frowned at Glory. “That doesn’t leave this table though.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t… I mean, I don’t even know anyone here. I wouldn’t say anything even if I did.” After all that, she clammed up and glared back at Kam.
