Page 148 of Always Meant for You
“We’ve got an early start tomorrow, and thesecity boysneed to get back,” Logan finishes, barely biting back a grin.
Christ, I’m a fool.
The heat in my chest cools, replaced by regret with a heaping side of mortification.
“I owe you both an apology,” I say. “I shouldn’t have stormed in like that. I’ve known Mabel most of my life. We’ve shared a lot of history, and I’ve always felt protective of her. But that doesn’t excuse how I handled this.”
Logan studies me. “That’s fair of you to say, Cal, but you should watch yourself.”
“Oh, that’s rich, honey,” Preston says, chuckling. “Should I tell them how you reacted when we were first dating, and you saw me having lunch with?—”
“Another man,” Logan supplies, clearly still miffed.
Preston waves off his husband. “It wasmy cousin.”
I exhale, the tension in my shoulders starting to lift.
Preston grins. “You came in hot because you care. And it’s obvious you also care deeply about this town.”
“I do.”
“And for what it’s worth, Mabel talked about you quite a bit, sharing the history of the co-op,” the man finishes.
“Well,” Mabel says, her tone signaling it’s time to wrap up the conversation before I fly off the handle again, “thank you both for coming. I know how much you have on your plate, and it means a lot that you made the trip.”
Logan smiles. “We’re impressed with what you’re doing here. We’d love to work with you. We’ll be in touch.”
A little more small talk, and a few minutes later, Mabel and I watch their taillights disappear.
I can feel her eyes on me.
“I know, I know,” I say, scrubbing my hands down my face.
“You came charging in without asking a single question.”
“I did.”
“Cal, this is a good opportunity for Elverna. I met Preston and Logan earlier and looked them up before we spoke again. They’ve built a strong reputation. They could also be a gateway to bigger deals. And I wouldn’t have continued the conversation if I had any concerns about my safety.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, but I feel the grip of anxiety tightening around me. “When it comes to you, I get a little worked up. And partnering with a restaurant chain was never anything Jamie and I discussed. You know this.”
She doesn’t answer right away. Her attention shifts toward the street, toward the square behind us.
There’s nobody around.
She brushes her fingertips along my jaw and guides me toward her. Her lips brush mine. The contact is brief, but the weight of it lets me breathe. I let the moment hold. I stay where I am, trying to ground myself in the space she created for me. But it’s hard. Christ, it’s hard.
“Can you keep an open mind, Cal?” she asks softly. “Can you consider the possibility of Elverna taking a different path to financial sustainability?”
I’ve been pushing nonstop to make the co-op work. And now that it feels possible, I’m realizing I never let myself imagine what success would actually mean. Maybe that’s it—maybe I got used to the struggle. But I’m ready to let my guard down.
“Can we hold that thought and acknowledge what this town accomplished today?” I ask.
She watches me with such tenderness in her eyes. Can she tell I’m barely holding on?
“Only if you agree to one stipulation, Callan Horner.”
“And what’s that?” I ask.
