He reread the notes about her friends. Alisha—nurse. Cheryl—personal trainer... He had this. By the end of the reunion events, he hoped to show Ellie that he was the kind of man she could count on. She’d been on her own since she was nineteen, with no real family or close friends around for support. He knew their boss, Meredith, the bookstore owner, was the closest Ellie had to a confidante and mentor, and he wanted to be someone else she could rely on. For anything.
So he couldn’t mess this up.
His cell phone chimed and he smiled as he reached for it. Did she have more notes for him, or was she texting to say she’d reconsidered the kissing?
It wasn’t Ellie. It was Sean.
His smile faded and his stomach twisted. A late-night text from his brother was never a good sign.
You awake?
He dialed his brother’s number as he sat up and threw his legs over the side of the cot. Three rings later, Sean answered.
“Hey...sorry if I woke you.”
“You didn’t. It’s my night at the station. What’s up?” Callum asked.
“I’m working on the new marketing campaign for the winter, and it’s just not coming together.”
Callum heard the familiar strain in his brother’s voice. He could hear the snapping of elastic bands and the steady thumping of Sean’s footsteps as he paced on the other end of the call. If it was anyone else, he’d tell them to step away from the project, sleep on it... But that didn’t work with someone who lived with high-functioning anxiety. Sean couldn’t walk away and come back to it in the morning with fresh eyes. His overactive brain would have him stressing over it all night and doubting his abilities. The further he got from the project, the more he’d convince himself of the reasons to give up, which would then lead to a depression spiral. Callum had seen it enough times.
For Sean, it was always better to push through. Which meant Callum was pushing through his tiredness a little longer.
“Okay, walk me through what you have.”
“It’s shit. It’s all shit.”
Damn, they’d already reached that stage. Why hadn’t Sean called him hours ago? “I’m sure it’s not. You just need another perspective. You’re too close to the work. What have you got so far?”
“Dad wanted fresh and unique.”
Their father only used buzzwords like fresh and unique to impress the board. Sean should know that by now. “Seriously, bro, you know he doesn’t. Give him the same campaign as last year—just revise the wording and the graphics.”
Sean was silent for a long moment. “Can I come by?”
Callum repressed a sigh. If his brother needed his help, there was no way he could turn him down. “Of course.”
“Be there in ten,” Sean said, and he could hear the sound of a door closing before his brother disconnected the call.
Callum blinked the sudden exhaustion from his eyes. No matter how hard he tried to escape the family business, he kept getting pulled in.
He ran a hand through his hair as he made a pot of coffee and waited for Sean’s truck headlights to pull into the station parking lot.
It was going to be a long night.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE NEXT EVENING, the Wild River High School gymnasium looked exactly the way it had on prom night.
And Ellie felt just as nauseous as she walked in.
You’re not the self-conscious book nerd who just got dumped by her boyfriend anymore.
Callum squeezed her arm and bent to whisper, “You’re not the self-conscious book nerd who just got dumped by her douchebag boyfriend anymore.”
“Get out of my head,” she said.
“And you look absolutely amazing,” he said, his gaze drifting over her. It had several times already since he’d picked her up for the reunion. She vaguely remembered him complimenting her several times, as well, but she was far too nervous to really be paying attention.
Was the black, knee-length, formfitting strapless dress too much? It wasn’t her usual style, but this evening she was trying to be a little less “her.”
“I just hope I can keep this dress up,” she said, yanking the fabric higher. She was fairly flat chested so there wasn’t much to stop the fabric from sliding all the way to her ankles. She was putting a shit ton of trust in the tiny closure at the back meant to cinch it in around her body.
“Well, if it falls, you’ll definitely catch Brent’s attention. And every other man’s in the room,” Callum said with a grin.
“Not helpful,” she said, rubbing her chest. Was her heart on the left side of her body or the right? The pain was kinda all over...
Callum took her hands and turned her to face him. “Stop stressing. You look amazing. You are amazing.”
The tension eased a little from her shoulders as she stared at him. It was working. His words and overall calm presence was quieting her pulse a little. Of course, he had nothing to be freaking out about. But maybe she was overreacting. It was just old familiar faces for a few hours.
The contracting of her chest subsiding, she pulled back and looked at Callum, really seeing him for the first time all evening. Dressed in a pair of charcoal dress pants and a salmon-colored button-down shirt, his hair gelled back, he looked as incredible as he always did, but something was different. “Did you get a haircut?”
“Yes, ma’am. Like it?”
He’d look gorgeous bald, but this new polished look was definitely working for him. As much as she thought the longer hair that always fell into his eyes was cute, this new style was manlier. More presentable as the man she was supposed to be in love with. It made him look a little older, which was good. She did not need to be labeled a cougar. “It’s perfect,” she said.
“‘Perfect’ as in my appearance won’t embarrass you?”
“Exactly,” she said.
“Oh my, I’d recognize those dark-rimmed glasses anywhere,” a booming female voice said behind them.
Callum’s face looked slightly ashen as they both turned to face Mrs. Garnett, the high school English teacher who’d been teaching at the school for over thirty years. Ellie had enjoyed the woman’s class—it had been one of her favorites. And she’d seen Mrs. Garnett at the bookstore for several book club events over the years, and they’d always had a great time discussing books long after the event was over and the store was closed. Avid readers were natural kindred spirits.
However, at that moment, the older woman was focused only on Callum.
“Hi, Mrs. Garnett,” he said nervously, accepting a hug from her. She was only four foot ten so she seemed to only reach his waist, but she definitely squeezed a little longer than necessary.
Ellie watched with amusement as he slowly peeled her away, and the other woman beamed at him. “I haven’t seen you in years. I keep missing you every time I’m in the bookstore.”
Callum looked slightly guilty, and Ellie fought to remember those times...
Yep, he’d been there on a few occasions during the book club meetings. Always found an excuse to be in the back stockroom or on a break... Why? Why was he hiding from the nice old English teacher?
“Maybe I was off that day,” he mumbled.
“Are you still writing?” Mrs. Garnett asked.
Ellie’s eyes widened as she glanced at him. He used to write?
He was red around the collar, and he cleared his throat. “Nah, not really.”
“What?” Mrs. Garnett frowned. “That’s a shame. You were so talented.”
He was?
“No, it was just something I did for fun back then,” Callum mumbled, glancing around the gymnasium as though looking for an escape or a way to change the subject.
“You write?” Ellie asked, not willing to let this discussion drop just yet. This was a fun fact she hadn’t known about her coworker. And it definitely needed more exploration, e
specially considering how uncomfortable it was making her usually calm and unfazed friend.
He shook his head, but Mrs. Garnett interjected. “Yes, he does. Amazing short stories that had the potential to be full-length novels and the most inspiring prose... In all my years teaching that English class, I’ve never had a more promising student.”
Mrs. Garnett had taught a lot of students. That was a huge compliment coming from her. The teacher was a writer, as well, mostly ghostwriting memoirs for local legends and heroes. So she’d know talent.
Why hadn’t Callum ever mentioned this? They talked about books all the time, were surrounded by them. Obviously he’d been intentionally keeping it a secret.
“Ah, thank you, but I’m sure that’s not true.” He glanced toward the food table. “Hey, anyone hungry?”
“I’m good,” Ellie said.
“I could go for some punch and a pastry.” Mrs. Garnett hooked her arm through Callum’s. “You don’t mind if I borrow him for a moment, do you, dear?”
“Borrow away,” Ellie said with a smile.
Ellie watched him escort Mrs. Garnett to the concession table. This conversation definitely wasn’t over. She’d be getting to the bottom of this closet writing thing one way or another.
A writer. Safe to say her mind was blown.
Alone, she took a breath as she scanned the auditorium. It was filling up with all of her former classmates and their spouses or significant others. They were expecting about fifty people that evening, and it looked like most had already arrived. A lot of them still lived in Wild River or in other parts of Alaska, but a few had flown in from other states.
In the far corner, Alisha was reminiscing with her old cheerleading squad. A group stood in a close circle around them as the women had ditched their heels and were attempting to create their old pyramid stunt to a round of applause.
Crazy that they could still remember their old routines. Or were still flexible and limber enough to pull them off.
Her gaze shifted toward the stage where the DJ had set up, ready to play the nostalgic playlist Cheryl had approved—her contribution to the planning.
And in the center of the gym, a group of former football players had broken into the equipment room and retrieved a football they were throwing around. Everyone seemed to be having a good time and reconnecting. She really should start mingling, but her palms sweat at the thought of approaching any of the groups that she’d never fully belonged to. The only person she’d ever really connected with in high school was Brent... She’d had a small group of close friends, but no one who’d fully understood her the way he had.
And there he was.
He had his back to her, but she’d recognize that sandy-blond hair, those broad shoulders, that strong back and tapered waist anywhere. He wore snug-fitting designer jeans, brown leather shoes and a light tan sports jacket that she recognized from an Instagram post of shopping with a girlfriend on a trip to Paris, but she wouldn’t hold that against him. He had to buy new clothes, and from what she remembered, he struggled with fashion.
Her heart raced as her feet—on autopilot—slowly started shuffling in that direction. What was the right way to play this? Pretend not to notice him until he came to her? Would he? Bump into him? Would that appear casual? Strike up a conversation with one of the men standing next to him until he heard her voice?
Unfortunately, that would require actually knowing who those guys were, and she was totally drawing a blank scanning the faces of the nerdy group in Big Bang Theory T-shirts standing near Brent.
Brent was alone, casually sipping a drink from a red Solo cup and scanning the room.
She should just go for it. Approach him and be the one brave enough to initiate a conversation. He was by himself. She didn’t see his supermodel-gorgeous date anywhere... Now was her chance. She needed to take it.
She took a deep breath as she crossed the rest of the auditorium. When she was close to him, she reached out and softly touched his shoulder. “Hi,” she said as he turned around and those mesmerizing hazel eyes settled on her.
“Wow! If it isn’t my Ellie,” he said softly.
His Ellie. It had been years since she’d heard him call her that and yet it still had the same knee-weakening, “butterflies in the stomach” effect that it always had.
He hugged her tight, scooping her up and spinning her around. Just like always. If her heart hadn’t already been locked up, waiting for him, it certainly belonged to him once again now. Looking at him, feeling his arms around her, it was as though no time at all had passed. And when he set her down again and gazed at her, she could tell he felt the same way. A mix of intrigue and attraction reflected in those eyes that had always seemed to look straight into her soul. “How are you?” he asked.
“I’m good. You?” Really? Years of envisioning this moment and that was all she could come up with?
He smiled. “I’m good too. Better now. I have to say I wasn’t sure coming was a good idea...you know, being away so long, losing touch, but I’m glad I decided to come.”
“Me too.”
He shook his head. “Wow, it’s so great to see you again.”
Her pulse was going crazy. “Yeah, you too.” Oh my God. She sounded like a complete moron. It was going to take more than two-word sentences to reconnect with the love of her life.
“You did a great job organizing this.” He looked around. “I can’t believe all these familiar faces.”
Funny, she still lived in Wild River with most of these people and barely recognized everyone. Despite his insistence of the contrary, he obviously kept in touch better than she did. Yet, the two of them had drifted apart over the years...
You weren’t supposed to stay in contact with your ex. It didn’t mean he hadn’t wanted to. After all, she’d wanted to and hadn’t. Maybe he hadn’t been sure if she’d be happy to hear from him after he’d broken her heart.
“Thank you. It was really all Alisha,” she said.
He laughed, glancing across the auditorium at the event’s mastermind. “Yeah, right. Alisha is the queen of good ideas and delegating the work.”
She laughed. “Okay, so I did a lot of the planning.”
He nodded toward the punch bowl. “You wouldn’t be serving anything stronger than that by any chance, would you?”
She could use a little liquid courage right now too, but she shook her head. “We couldn’t get a liquor license because it’s a high school.”
“Didn’t stop us before,” he said with a wink.
He stared at her for a long moment, and she felt the heat rise across her neck and chest. When was the last time she’d felt so shy and slightly intimidated by a man? Probably the last time Brent had looked at her this way. He could always make her tongue-tied and put her off-balance.
“Man, I’ve missed you,” he said.
Then why hadn’t he reached out? She couldn’t summon the courage to ask so she glanced downward. “Yeah, I’ve missed you too,” she mumbled.
“You look amazing. I mean, you always did.” His gaze soaked her in and when it settled on the neckline of the dress, she resisted the urge to yank the fabric higher again.
“Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “Where’s your date?” Did that sound casual?
He looked sheepish and slightly embarrassed as he said, “She dumped me.”
Ellie’s eyes widened as her pulse quickened in her veins. “So, you’re here alone?”
“Yep. Stag once again.”
Her heart soared, then pounded even louder as she caught sight of Callum out of the corner of her eye approaching from across the auditorium. Oh no. Bad timing. She needed to figure out a new game plan in light of this recent development. She had to stop Callum from saying they were more than just friends. She opened her eyes wide and shook her head in a tiny, frantic motion from behind Brent, hopi
ng Callum would catch the hint.
He shot her a confused look as he stopped next to them. “Hi, I’m Callum,” he said, extending a hand to Brent.
She couldn’t breathe.
“I’m Ellie’s plus-one.”
Plus-one. Okay, that could mean anything.
But was it her imagination or did Brent look slightly jealous as he shook it. “Brent Lanigan. Ellie’s former plus-one,” he said casually, but there was definitely a hint of tension in his voice.
Ellie’s laugh at the joking reminder that they used to be an item sounded strained even to her own ears.
“Well, I guess I have you to thank for setting this one free,” Callum said, a slight edge in his voice that she’d never heard before.
She needed to clarify this situation and quickly. If she could just get Callum alone for a second, she could tell him his services that evening were unnecessary.
But before she could, Brent glanced back and forth between them. “You two are a couple?”
Callum wrapped an arm around her waist and held tight when she squirmed. “Engaged, actually.”
And that was the moment Ellie’s heart stopped.
* * *
AS SOON AS the word slipped past Callum’s lips, he knew he’d created a massive mess. The look on Ellie’s face suggested she’d murder him the moment they were alone. And yet, he couldn’t bring himself to regret it or retreat and say it was only a joke.
Brent’s timing on taking a sip of his drink was regrettable as he was now coughing and sputtering. “Engaged?”
Ellie rushed to make sure he was all right. “You okay?”
Brent nodded and cleared his throat. “Yeah...that just went down the wrong way, that’s all.”
Obviously.
“Engaged,” he repeated. “Wow.”
“Well, it’s um...complicated...” Ellie said.
“It’s not exactly official yet,” Callum said, coming to her defense.
She pinched his arm as she forced a strangled-sounding laugh. “Right. We haven’t really told many people yet.” She shot him a glare.
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