Page 91 of Hold Me Tight

Her expression relaxes in a way that makes it impossible to look at her and not imagine a life together.

I lift my wineglass. “To tonight,” I say quietly. “And to the fact that you’re finally where you belong. With me.”

She stills before clinking her glass to mine. “It’s been a long time since something felt this right.”

I lean forward. “I promise you, baby, this is just the beginning. All I need is the chance to show you what your life could look like with me in it.”

“You’re the first man to come along and look at me like I matter.”

That unexpected comment hits hard because she absolutely matters.

To Nora.

To me.

To her friends.

And whether she knows it yet or not, this thing between us?

It’s not going anywhere.

On the way back to the truck, I press my hand to the small of her back, feeling the warmth of her body through the thin fabric of her dress. And when she leans into the touch like she’s been waiting for it all night, something finally clicks into place.

As much as I want to kiss her right now, I don’t.

What we’re building is worth waiting for.

Callie is worth waiting for.

And I’ll bide my time for as long as it takes to show her that I mean every goddamn word.

33

Callie

The elevator doors slide shut as Willow and her family take off for the night.

And just like that, it’s the two of us.

Willow’s hug still clings to me as her words echo louder in my head than they should.

“I love you with my brother. I hope you realize how much he does too.”

I tried to laugh it off.

To deny it.

But she only smiled like she knew a secret I didn’t.

Now, Nora’s asleep. The lights are low. And River’s watching me from across the room like he can read my every thought.

I move around the penthouse like I’ve forgotten how to be still. I straighten the throw pillows, stack a few books on the counter, and pick up one of Nora’s crayons from under the table, pretending I need to put it away.

The entire time, I feel his gaze and the quiet press of this moment.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I start to nod before stopping halfway, my head moving side to side. “I don’t know.”