Page 141 of Callan

“I thought it’d be easier.”

A thoughtful look slides over his face.

“If it makes you feel any better, it’s not easy for me, either.”

A few moments pass while he pauses.

“I do all the easy things outside this house…” he goes on. “And you know why? I don’t care much about anything outside this place. Whatever happens happens. Here is different, though. It’s like a century of history scrutinizing me from inside every nook and cranny. This is where I thought I’d introduce a woman to my parents. My family had always been very traditional, and the collective thought was that a man would find a suitable woman, propose to her, and start a family. That was it. Not much existed beyond that. Like it or not, that was my story. But life had different plans, and my parents’ passing changed a lot of traditions in this house. The fact that you’re here with me tonight is a miracle. The idea that you, in a way, have a history similar to mine makes me shudder. And I’m not trying to serve you a pickup line,” he says in response to my stunned expression. “I’m aware of the differences between us,” he continues. “I lost my parents later in life. But the way we bothsee life is very similar. A wide range of emotions has shaped how we perceive things. Before you, things could never be all right, and no one got me. You do get me, even though you rarely acknowledge it. But, that doesn’t mean anything,” he says. “It’s refreshing to know I’m not alone. It doesn’t mean that we can walk this path for long.”

I open my mouth to protest, yet he presses his forefinger against my lips.

“For one, I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. As I have said before…” he murmurs, his eyes sliding to my lips. “You might think that boy, Quinn, was the worst thing that could happen to you. You have no idea what monsters lurk out there. So, let’s not kid ourselves and get into something we might not be able to pull out of. And trust me, a life with me could be the end of anything good you believe in.”

MACKENZIE

Historically speaking,moments like these have made empires crumble, countries get pilfered, and royal heads roll off chopping blocks.

This is staring evil in the eye and still saying yes to it because of a chemical bond stronger than anything I’ve known or illogical emotions shutting down my brain.

Life is inviting us to a big banquet with delicious food and goblets of ambrosia, yet the instructions couldn’t be clearer.Some of the food and drinks could be poisoned, and the rest might make us feel like royals.

And we say yes to it because who doesn’t want a bit of excitement in their life?

“So, which is it? Are we staying, or are we going?” he asks, holding my hands.

“We’re staying,” I say, my voice shaking.

“Great,” he says quietly before leaving a kiss on my lips. “Let’s go upstairs.”

He points to the table.

“We’ll finish this later.”

He takes my hand and walks me through a long corridor that smells like fir trees and cinnamon.

The house is spooky, considering that we are the only occupants at the moment. Polished steps creak beneath our feet as we climb the stairs to the upper level.

A large window at the end of the corridor offers the view of a frozen night.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, the annotations, and the warnings, this is a beautiful evening.

Cold, quiet, and festive.

He pushes a door open, and a large bedroom expands in front of us. The main piece of furniture is a king size bed, which is perfectly made and looks inviting.

A prickle of fear travels down my spine.

I never thought I’d be so nervous.

He glances at me and gestures at an arched door in front of us as if reading my mind.

“Would you like to use the shower first?” he asks. “I can use the other bathroom,” he says, casual about it, although something tells me he is nervous, too.

This is how I imagined a moment like this.

Doing it with someone who matters. And doing it for the first time.

With him, though.

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