Page 17 of Pinky Promises

Inhale for three. Exhale for three.

“Hey, are you okay?” Callum places his hand on my thigh, pulling my attention back to him. The concern in his eyes has my heart squeezing. “Do you need me to pull over? Are you going to get sick?”

I might have drunk enough to have to leave my car at Lexi’s and have Callum drive us home, but not enough to get sick. What I’m feeling can’t be fixed with ibuprofen, Gatorade, and hours of sleep. I shake my head.

I roll the window up, leaving it cracked.

“No, sorry. I’m good.” I steady my voice so that he doesn’t decide to pull over anyways.

“Are you sure? You look a little pale.”

I rest my head against the headrest, keeping my gaze on him.

“Yeah, I think just everything is catching up to me.”

“We’ll be home soon. Why don’t you close your eyes and relax?”

I nod and turn my head back to face out the window.

Callum leaves his hand resting on my thigh. With each passing mile that his hand remains, his touch burns into my skin. It slowly chips away at the lock around my heart regarding Callum Murphy. I buried those feelings deep all those years ago, locked them up tight and threw away the key. Can I finally give in and take a chance on this—on us?

Before I know it, I feel like I’m floating and slowly open my eyes to see Callum carrying me out of the garage toward the elevator. Cal notices my stirring and hugs me tighter in his arms.

“I’ve got you, B.” I don’t put up a fight and allow him to continue to carry me. I’m unsure if it’s the mental exhaustion or my newly rediscovered feelings that drive my decision. I rest my head on his chest as we wait for the elevator to arrive. Could he handle my heart with the same gentle care that he is handling me right now? Does the risk outweigh the reward? I listen to the rhythm of his heartbeat as if it were saying, “Take that chance with me. My heart beats for you.” As the elevator doors close behind us, I wonder if there is a new door opening—one where I give my heart to my best friend and trust him enough not to crush it.