But then I’m on the ground level, I’m walking through the entryway, and the fresh air hits me. I step onto the street and I see him there, pacing across the road a few steps before he notices me and stops. I can feel every bit of my old self slip away in that moment. The masks I held on to, the walls I put up? They’ve crumbled, they’ve been peeled away, and I can’t help but run. I race across the street and launch myself into his wide-open arms, feeling them wrap around me firmly as he holds me, and I melt into him on instinct.
“Take me home,cariño.” I feel him sigh and hug me tighter.
He wouldn’t really need to take me anywhere though.
Because home? It’s wherever he is.
CHAPTER 42
we need to talk about the shoes
Rosie
So, I cease to exist to my father. Although, he never really was much of a parent. He’s never expressed an interest in me, save for my breeding ability and to carry on a legacy. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but maybe a small part of me had hoped he’d trysomethingto keep a connection with me. But alas, here we are.
For the first time, the decisions that have me feeling a little lost are all my own. I finally trust that I am heading in the right direction because of my chosen family.
Caleb looked so uncertain earlier. I left him in his apartment after we got back from my father’s building, and I do feel sorry, but I know I’ll make it up to him tonight, I just…I need to breathe and take a shower and grab some of my things. After rehashing the whole thing with him, it was like living it twice, and I was mentally and emotionally drained. Everything about my life was clear now, even if it felt a little messy. Maybe it’s a good messy.
I replay the conversation we had before I quickly ducked out.
“Rosie”—his warm hands cupped my face—“you’re losing a part of your life that you grew up with, you’re basically losing a part of yourself. I didn’t want you to pick me if it meant you needing to sacrifice parts of you. I didn’t want this…this hurt.”
I shook my head, letting my hands rest against his. “No, this is my decision. I’m in control here, this is what I want. You’re what I want. And I’m not sacrificing anything, Caleb. I’m letting go of a life that was toxic and only controlled me to keep me down. I’m choosing one that frees me. And that one is with you. I’m happy, I am. I just…maybe I’m just a little lost in my head because I don’t know what to do next.”
“I never wanted to be picked over you, pretty girl.” He whispers the words and they fill another hole within my soul. This man. He really owns my whole heart.
“Well, too bad, because I picked you, and I’m not letting you go now.”
I smile to myself at the adorable blush that hits his cheeks. The smile makes my cheeks stretch and it feels like a million crusty tears all crack at once.Ugh.I really needed to shower. And grab a bag of fresh clothes because God knows I’m sleeping in Caleb’s cloud of a bed for at least the next week. I also need to?—
“What the fuck!” I shout the moment the elevator doors to my floor open and I find all of my furniture and personal items scattered in the hallway. I dart out and round the corner to the open door of my apartment, seeing a few men lifting my things out.
“Woah! Excuse me, what the hell is going on?”
“We have orders to vacate the room, Miss. It’s being made ready for listing.” I knew my father could move fast in the business world, butChrist,I really can’t catch a break here.
“W-what…but…” I’m sputtering, my mouth opening and closing like a goddamn fish. I stomp my foot as though it’dhave some magic to make them listen. “If you touch that custom Urquiola sofa, I will cut you where you stand.” I growl the words, watching these filthy dudes stumble around my apartment, about to put their goddamn hands on my couch.
“Ma’am, we have our job, just let us do it.”
“Just stop! For God’s sake, this is—was my apartment. Theseareall of my things. Let me make a call so I can work something out.” They roll their eyes and one of them makes a move to lift the couch. I grab the first thing I see—forgive me, Christian Louboutin—and I hurl the heel, hitting him in the middle of his back. “I said, don’t. Touch. My. Shit.” I keep my eyes glaring in his direction and he has the good sense to back away as I pull out my phone and press Call.
“Hey, I’m sorry…I need a favor and this is going to make shit weirder, but can you come to my apartment. Maybe, like…bring a truck or something.”
“We need to talk about the shoes.”
“What’s there to say?” I sigh, stacking another box of pretty heels on top of another.
“That maybe there are too many,” Caleb replies as he stacks another box, and I spin on him.
“I will wash your mouth out with soap.” I turn to the boxes, opening one and finding my comfort Jimmys. It takes everything in me not to pet them. “It’s okay, babies, he didn’t mean it.”
“You’re a madwoman.” He snickers, closing his door after sliding in the last box.
“And you love me anyway.”
“That I do,” he mumbles as he wraps an arm around me and presses a kiss to my neck. I sigh, turning in his arms to face him.
