Her laughs quickly fade out as she wets her bottom lip and sits up, placing a delicate kiss on my chest. “Thank you.”
The brightest lightbulb goes off in my head. “Tomorrow. Don’t make any plans. I’m coming over. And I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“Cal, you know I hate surprises.” She rolls her eyes with her bottom lip sucked between her teeth.
I run my thumb over it. “I know. But I’m determined to give you a surprise you’ll love. So, shut up. I’ll be here at seven.”
She bites the inside of her cheek. “Fine. On one condition,” she bargains. “You stay the night.”
TWENTY-TWO
Becca
The question on the tip of my tongue is eating me alive. I don’t know if it’s too much to ask of him. But I want to share it with him if he’ll let me.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Cal asks me when he looks over at me.
Just ask him. Complete openness, remember?
I blow out a breath. “Would you want to come visit my parents with me today?”
His eyes soften, and his brows furrow. “I would love to.”
“Great. We just have to stop and get white tulips,” I say to him, my voice quieter than I would like. “I’m going to go get ready.”
“I’ll be waiting,” Cal says as he leans back on the couch, tucking his hands under his head.
Last night was great. After Keanu burst in, I took a quick shower, braided my hair, and got ready for bed. Cal took a long shower, and I imagine he was working some frustration out.
We turned a movie on and fell asleep in each other’s arms. And I didn’t have a nightmare. I don’t know if I dreamed at all, but it was nice, peaceful. I could get used to this.
Taking the two side braids out from last night, I watch the endless waves fall over my shoulders. I quickly do my makeup, something light—a little concealer and blush, no mascara or anything else.
Walking to my closet, I have different feelings battling for the spotlight in my heart. Excitement and nerves dance in my stomach for what’s to come with Cal and to make up for all the time we lost. But guilt—so much guilt—attacks my chest for feeling happy again, for letting myself be happy without my parents.
I slide my arms into a white satin tank top with lace lining the V of the neckline, and I step into a short tweed white-and-black plaid skirt before slipping on a pair of black pantyhose underneath. I pair the outfit with my dual-zipper mixed-leather Louboutin booties.
The battle of feelings continues as I walk into the living room, where Cal is watching TV on the couch.
“Ready?” I ask him as I step into his view.
His lips part, and he quickly sits up. “You look beautiful. I don’t tell you that enough. You are so, so beautiful.”
My eyes fall to the ground at his compliment, and a shiver runs down my arms as he walks up to me.
“Thank you.”
Leaning down, he kisses my forehead. “Always.”
He takes my hand in his, interlocking our fingers. I grab my purse, throwing my phone and keys in, and we head out the door to visit my parents’ graves.
I quickly pull us to a stop in front of Keanu’s door. “Hold on. I have to tell him where I’m going.”
Cal flexes his jaw. “He lives here—right here, right next to you?”
I turn, facing him. I run my hand down his chest, pushing hard enough for him to feel it through his black hoodie, and I stop my finger right at the waistband of his jeans. “Hey, are you jealous? You got to sleep in my bed last night, not him.”
He smirks at me. “I might just have to stay there every night then. Someone has to keep you safe.”
