Chapter Twenty

Callum

"What do wehave on the upcoming books?" I asked, surveying my small meeting room.

Angela, my booking manager, scrolled through her tablet. "Friday, the fifth, is a dinner at the mayor's mansion. Saturday is the charity gala. Then, for two weeks after that, we have four weddings."

I nodded. "That's solid income for the month."

Chris cleared his throat. "I've made a few changes to the app to help it run a little smoother and faster. They should take effect by tonight."

Palmer, my lead supervisor, spoke up. "We may need to task a few more drivers for the weddings. I was looking for the forms, and two of them are on the same day."

I nodded. "Whatever you need to do to make it work. Anything else?"

Angela shook her head. "Not on my end."

Chris shook his head. "Nah, but let me rap to you right quick."

"See you later, gentlemen." Angela excused herself, leaving Chris and I alone.

"You seem like you're in a good mood," he stated.

"I'm in a great mood."

"Would this have anything to do with Pasha?"

I smirked. "Maybe."

"I take it things are going well?"

"They are moving along. She had dinner with the fam a few nights ago."

"Oh really? How was that?"

"Good. She and Bella got along great, and Precious fell in love just that quickly. She ended up falling asleep in her arms."

He chuckled. "I swear, if baby girl doesn't do anything else, she's gonna make her a friend."

"Facts."

"You still on this friend bid, too?"

I sat back in my chair and locked my fingers behind my head. "I'm still offering friendship. I'm not gonna push up on her like that. I really just want to enjoy her company. We have good chemistry, man."

"You seem sure of yourself. I hope it works out for you in the end. Just be careful. I don't want things to get messy for you. That is still somebody's wife until the ink is dried on those divorce papers."

I heard what he was saying, but the last thing I was worried about was things getting messy for me. Raymond Sinclaire had proven himself to be a weak man. He took more pride in trying to bring down his soon-to-be ex-wife than trying to defend himself against me. I would, however, be careful with Pasha. I would hate for any of the backlash to fall on her for my actions against that bastard.

"I hear you, man," I said, sitting up.

"Well, since you're determined to see this through, you can bring her to our game night next week."

"I almost forgot about that."

"I invited Malcolm too. He supposed to bring somebody."

"Would you believe that he's dating Pasha's friend? I forgot to tell you that. I learned that when I helped her move."

"Well, damn. It's a small world. Shit, maybe you two were meant to cross paths after all."

I hadn't thought about that, but maybe he was right. I firmly believe in people coming into your life when they are supposed to. It could be for a season, or it could be for a lifetime. I wanted to know what it was about this woman who grabbed ahold of me and wouldn't let go. The night we met was supposed to stay just that. My concern should have remained my concern. But something about her embedded itself in me. It was more than worry that filled me when I looked into those pretty brown eyes for the first time.

Chris and I talked for a little while longer before he had to leave for another meeting. I was pretty much done for the day, and it was only around noon. After locking up my office, I said goodbye to everyone and headed out to my car. Settled in the driver's seat, I unlocked my phone. The first thing I saw was the text thread between Pasha and me. Our most recent conversation was from yesterday. I'd sent her a picture of Precious and me together after I picked her up from day care.

We'd gone shopping, and she asked me about Pasha, so I suggested we send her a picture. That birthed an hour-long video call with her because Precious kept asking me questions about her. She was her mother's child through and through because she was nosy too. By the time we got back to my house, I decided just to let her ask them herself.

We camped out on my couch while Pasha rested comfortably in her bed. Since she'd been off from work, she said she was just lounging around reading a book. Precious loved books and insisted on showing her favorite one at my house. She was learning to read, and what she couldn't read, she made up a story using the pictures. It was adorable to watch. Pasha listened attentively as she read her the book, using different voices for the characters. The child reminded me so much of her mother that it was crazy. Bella had a wild imagination as a kid, and so did Precious. Sometimes, I had to look at her and wonder where she was learning some of the things she said.

I chuckled at the memory as I went to her contact and pressed the call button. She answered on the third ring. I could hear the sound of her shuffling about before I heard her voice.

"Hello?"

"Hey, beautiful. How are you?"

"Hey, I'm okay. I'm at work right now, but I go to lunch in about fifteen minutes."

"I was on my way to grab something to eat. You wanna join me?"

"Um... sure. Lunch would be okay. I'll meet you outside."

"Okay. See you soon."

"See you soon."

We disconnected that call, and I pulled out of the parking lot. I headed over after stopping to get gas and run my car through the wash. I pulled up just as Pasha was walking outside. Throwing the car in park, I got out to open her door.

"Thank you," she said, offering me a smile as she climbed in.

I nodded and closed the door before returning to the driver's seat.

"Do you have a taste for anything in particular?"

"I could go for some tacos."

"Tacos it is."

"I mean, if you want something else, I'm open. I just really love tacos."

I merged into traffic as I responded. "You'll learn that I'm not a picky eater. If I don't do anything else, I'm going to eat. Bella can vouch for that."

"I watched you inhale that food the other night. I believe you."

I chuckled. "Don't play me like that."

"You played yourself."

"Whatever. How's your day been?"

"It's been decent. Nothing is fascinating about cleaning hotel rooms. However, you would be surprised by the things people leave behind. Just this morning, I found vibrators, butt plugs, and nipple clamps... all in one room."

"Have you found anything that makes you want to be a fly on the wall in that room?"

She giggled. "Not yet, but I'm sure it's coming. Some of my coworkers have been there so long they say nothing shocks them anymore. I like the job, though. It's quiet. I can work independently, and it's simple. For my first job, I didn't think I'd like it."

"If you could do anything else, what would it be?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I've always imagined my life as a homemaker. Most of the women in my family stay at home and take care of the house and the kids. I've never pictured being anything else before now."

"And now?"

"I can admit, I like earning my own money. I like not having to ask for permission to spend it. Nobody is clocking my pockets. Now, I don't think I will ever like paying bills."

I laughed. "I promise you won't. But I'm glad you're looking at the positives in life right now. Starting over can be hard, but it can also be beautiful."

She plucked at her fingernails. "It can. I'm learning a lot about myself. I don't think I'll come out of this the same woman, and I'm okay with that."

I nodded as I pulled into the parking lot of Mexi Grill, a spot that serves some of the best tacos in the city and the surrounding area.

"I think different versions of yourself are needed to survive life. Life will humble the hell out of you."

"You can say that again."

I shut off the car and got out to open her door. When I offered her my arm, she wrapped her fingers around my bicep and followed me inside. The place wasn't busy, so we were seated relatively quickly. I ordered a shot of tequila, and she ordered a margarita to start us off with. While the waitress went to put the order in, Pasha and I chitchatted.

"Are you going to give me a hint about what we are doing tomorrow night?" she asked.

"Nope. I think I'm gonna let you suffer until we get where we are going."

"Maybe I should just stay home them," she jested.

"I know where you live. I can always pull up on you. How can you stand up a face like this?" I gave her a playful pout and sad eyes. "You wanna break my heart, Pash? I thought we were friends, baby."

I didn't miss the subtle biting of her bottom lip and the moment she caught herself doing so. She playfully elbowed me.

"We are friends."

"Best friends?"

She giggled. "I think Avyn would fight you for that title."

"I think I could take her."

We laughed as the waitress returned with our drinks and took the order for our food. We both decided on the five-taco platter with Cajun fries. As the waitress left, Pasha sipped her margarita and did a little happy dance.

"Are you good to drink that before you return to work?" I asked.

"Yes. I made sure to order the mocktail version. I won't be getting fired today."

She took another sip before setting down the glass. We talked a bit while waiting for our food to be delivered. Ten minutes later, the food arrived and was placed in front of us. After a quick prayer, we dug in. The sounds of Pasha moaning after every bite were doing me in.

"Did you eat breakfast this morning?" I asked.

"I didn't, and I'm starving. These are so good."

She eyeballed my plate, and I knew what was coming next. Just like most women, she wanted to "try" mine, and she made it known in the most innocent way.

"What's that one?"

"A fish taco."

"Ooooh. I've never had a fish taco."

I chuckled. "Would you like to try it?"

"Just a little bite."

I wiped my hands, then cupped her chin. Picking up the fish taco, I held it to her lips.

"Open."

She gasped for a moment, her eyes widening at my request. She swallowed hard before her lips parted, and she allowed me to feed her a bite of the taco. Watching her plump lips wrap around the tasty morsel was so sexy... She was so sexy. The scrubs she wore hugged her curves in all the right places. She was simply the type of woman who was beautiful no matter what she was doing or wearing. At least in my eyes, she was. I had it bad for her... real bad.

"How's that?" I asked, grabbing my napkin to dab the avocado ranch dressing that fell on her chin.

"It's good... real good. You should try my birria."

She dipped it into the sauce. Grabbing the napkin, she held it under my chin and fed me a taco bite. Our gaze never wavered as I chewed the same taco that was on my plate. For some reason, hers tasted so much better than that one. I would say she was flirting with me if I didn't know any better.

"How's that?" she asked, dabbing the corners of my mouth.

I grabbed her hand and held it tight. "Perfect."

My eyes dropped to her lips. It took everything in me to fight the urge to lean in for a kiss. I promised myself and her that I wouldn't push up on her. That I would let her come to me when she felt like she wanted more, but damn, it was hard. She was right here in front of me, but still so far out of my reach.

We continued eating and conversing, neither of us bringing attention to the obvious. Our plates were clean when we got ready to leave, and I had a nice little buzz from the shots I'd consumed. Hand in hand, we walked back to my truck like it was the most normal thing for us. I helped her in, then climbed in myself. The drive back was quiet, but not an awkward type of quiet. It was a quiet lie... We both knew something was brewing, yet we didn't dare speak on it. Back at the hotel, she directed me to pull around to the employee parking.

"I'm sure Avyn is being nosy because she's already texted me. I don't want her to make this more than it is like she already has. I just want to enjoy your company."

"Well, I hope I'm at least making this worth your while."

She palmed my face. "You are... You're seemingly perfect, Callum. The part of me that's afraid is just waiting on you to cut me so I can see how bad it hurts."

"What's the rational part of you saying?"

She dropped her hand and looked down at her fingernails. "That you're the person you portray yourself to be, and I have no reason to be afraid."

"Stick with that one. I respect whatever you feel. Just know I'm not out to cause you harm or distress." I tucked a stray curl behind her ear and leaned closer. "I want to know you, Pasha. Every single thing that makes you who you are."

"I'm bruised... slightly broken."

"So am I."

"What are two bruised, slightly broken people supposed to do together?"

"Heal." I kissed her cheek and sat back in my seat. "I hope you have a good rest of your day, Pasha."

"Y-you t-too," she stammered.

She quickly climbed out of the truck and sprinted inside, looking back momentarily at me before closing the door.