Page 111 of Sunkissed Colorado
Dane pointed at us. “What can I get you two?”
“You’re buying?” Callum asked.
“Unless you annoy me too much,” Dane shot back, but it was obvious he didn’t mean it. Dane handed me a menu. “Have you been here before?”
“No, this is my first time. Haven’t been to Pine Creek in years, and I had no idea they’d opened a gluten-free brewery.”
“Well then, you need the full experience. Grace and I just ordered a tasting flight.”
“That sounds perfect.”
While Dane and I chatted and waited for the beers, Callum stepped a couple feet away to murmur with his sister, and that justgot my nerves going again. My heart kept thumping as I repeated the words Callum had said.
I’m trying to show you how great things could be.
It meant a lot that he was introducing me to his family. He’d told me plenty of times how important they were in his life. Knowing he wantedmeto be a part of that made me happier than I could say.
But I’d been part of a group of friends in Chicago too. Until I broke up with Ian, and they all scattered.
“Have you thought about what I texted you the other day?” Grace said under her breath. “He would love to talk. If you’re willing.”
I glanced briefly over my shoulder and saw Callum’s expression change, his easy smile vanishing.
The server behind the counter handed me my tasting flight, and I turned back toward Callum and Grace, trying to look like I hadn’t been eavesdropping. I caught the tail end of what Callum was saying.
“I don’t know, G. I’ll think about it.”
“You’ll think about what?” I asked.
Callum’s smile returned, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “About getting the next round if Dane can resist talking about Manhattan or Rolexes for a whole ten minutes.”
But nobody laughed. Dane gave Callum a skeptical look as he and Grace headed toward a table with their tasting paddle. I could practically feel the weight of the conversation I’d interrupted.
“Seems like that was about more than who should buy the next round of beers,” I said quietly.
“I’ll tell you later.”
“Apparently,everything’sgoing to be later.”
Callum tilted his head, a silent admission that yeah, I was right. His hand cupped the back of my neck as he kissed my cheek. “Forgive me?”
“Nothing to forgive. I’m not mad.” I leaned into his touch. “But you’ve been there for me with all my family stuff. I’m here for you too.”
“Thank you, baby,” he whispered against my temple, and the answering thump of my heart seemed to fill the whole room. I was still anxious about today, but I wanted so much to be here.Withhim.
It was terrifying.
Within a few minutes, Ashford had arrived with his wife Emma and daughter Maisie, followed by Piper and her son Ollie.
There was suddenly alotof energy in the room.
When Emma said she’d brought her dog Stella, everyone jumped up, grabbing pints and tasting paddles, then headed outside to the brewery’s patio. There was a grassy area just beyond, with lawn games set up. Maisie and Ollie ran out to play.
At the new table, Callum wrapped his arm around my shoulders again. Like we were just as much a couple as Emma and Ashford or Dane and Grace.
It was obvious he had no idea how much I wasfreaking the hell outinside.
Luckily, Stella and the kids provided something else to focus on. Stella came over, all friendly, wanting to give me a sniff and a greeting. But that didn’t last long. She backed away, dashing off to visit Grace instead.
