I check my phone for any important work messages. Aside from a few missed calls from an unknown caller, there’s nothing urgent, so I slip my cell into my back pocket along with my wallet and the keys to my rental.
As expected, the food delivery guy is waiting for me with my dinner order. I grab the bags, tip the guy, and send him on his way before putting the hot food in the warm oven.
I ordered tacos from Rylann’s favorite place, The Blue Cantina. I played with the idea of ordering something fancy but thought better of it. Callie doesn’t like fussy food. Even before we started spending time together, I knew this about her. She complained about the food the entire time we attended a charity event last year. She thought it was ridiculous to spend thousands of dollars on pretentious food instead of donating money directly to charity. It pissed Silla off to no end, but I loved hearing Callie’s complaints. Of course, I hid my approval underneath the angry scowl I flashed her way, shutting her up. She looked so dejected for the rest of dinner that I left early. I fucking hated myself so much for making her feel like shit.
I exhale a deep breath. Tonight is all about rewriting the past and showing Callie my true feelings, even though my girl stole the words from me this morning. My eyes catch on the black velvet jewelry box that brings a smile to my lips. Callie might have said the words first, but I’m about to show her just how much I mean them.
Sitting next to the velvet box is a white paper bag. I grab the bag and dig inside, pulling out an all-too-familiar box.
A flashback of me slapping Jace in the chest with a box of condoms makes me chuckle. He obviously didn’t use them. I place the box of rubbers back in the bag and shake my head.
I’m not using those if I don’t have to. If my girl lets me, I’m definitely fucking her bare tonight. And if I knock Callie up, well, I’m okay with that. My dick agrees, jerking to life in my pants.
Grabbing the bouquet of purple blooms I bought for Callie off the counter, I walk out the door with an extra pep in my step, ready to get to my girl.
The door flies open before I knock. I glance down to find Rhys staring up at me with his arms crossed and a very serious expression on his face.
“Hey, buddy.” I hold my knuckles out for him to bump, but he stays frozen in the doorway.
“Can I help you with something?” he asks, his tone formal.
I bite back a smile. There is nothing formal about him as he wears his LA Evaders pajamas and baseball slippers—another gift from Cameron.
“Why yes, I am here to pick up a beautiful woman for a date. Maybe you know her. Callie Wright?”
He rubs his chin, just like my brother does. When I said “mini Jace” earlier, I meant doppelgänger. “Hmm. What are your intentions with Miss Callie?”
I can hear a round of chuckles from the living room. “Well, let’s see. I’d like to feed her and talk to her. Maybe have some dessert. Do I have your permission?”
“I don’t know. It might cost you.”
I bark a laugh as Jace grunts, “Christ.”
Rylann comes waddling over and shoves Rhys out of the way. “You went off script, kiddo. Get out of here.”
He takes off down the hall with a laugh, shouting, “Sorry, not sorry.”
Rylann winces and rubs her hands over her stomach. She looks tired from all the excitement today. “Sorry, E. Jace thought that would be funny.”
“It was until the turd tried to shake me down.”
“Yeah, he’s a stinker like that, but he won’t bother us anymore. He’s playing on the computer with Scarlett’s girls in the office.” Rylann giggles as she waves me inside. “Come inside. Callie will be out in a second. Scarlett made her wait for the big reveal.”
I make my way toward the chattering voices in the den to find Jace holding baby Sariah as he talks to Mason and Levi, who is holding one of his twin boys on each knee. Scarlett and Emery are on the couch, still wearing the wigs they showed up in when they came to pick up Callie, chatting about who knows what.
The girls took their job seriously when they promised to protect my girl. They all hardly know Callie, and yet they’ve made her feel welcome and accepted.
My heart squeezes with so much love for the group of people sitting in my brother’s living room as I greet them. The room falls silent, and the hair on the back of my neck tingles with the shift in energy.
Callie.
I turn to face her and the air is ripped from my lungs at the sight of her gorgeous face. She is breathtaking in a nude spaghetti strap dress that would be transparent if not for the delicate purple flowers in various shades covering her breasts and torso. A twist of embroidery-looking rope encircles her waist, leading to an airy, gauze-like fabric skirt that falls right above her knee.
I take it back. Callie is fucking stunning.
Her hair is pinned back, but the loose curls framing her face make her look regal, as does the light coating of make-up on her eyelids, cheeks, and lips. It’s all sparkly and neutral. She looks like a fairy princess come to life.
“Hey,” Callie whispers with a soft, shy smile.
