Page 45

Will

Ten Years Later

“Callie, baby, I’m home,” I say as I walk through the unlocked door of our penthouse. Not long after we got married, it became abundantly clear we needed more room for all of our pictures.

It might seem silly to get a bigger place to hang stuff on the walls but fuck that, I told Callie I wanted a gallery, so here we are.

“Bedroom,” Callie yells as I take my snow boots off in the entryway. I should peel off the rest of my snow-clad clothes, but my wife wanted the special at Spilled Tea this morning and who am I to deny her?

That and the fact that we’re investors in Spilled Tea’s franchise. I might have taken Callie’s delivery boy jokes too far.

When I walk in our room, Callie’s pulled on some leggings and one of my sweatshirts as she sits on our small couch in front of the window that overlooks the city.

“Man, it’s really coming down,” she says. “I’m sorry I made you go out in this.”

I hand her the spiced apple tea. “It’s your birthday month, Blaze, I didn’t even question it.”

Callie gives me her soft smile and takes sips of her tea while she waits for me to pull off my now wet clothes. It really was coming down. I just hope we get some sort of reprieve in a few days because if our flight gets delayed, I’m going to be pissed. I’ve got plans for Callie’s birthday and damn it the snow isn’t going to ruin them.

After pulling on some sweats, I join my beautiful wife on our small sofa and pull her to me. “In light of the snow, do you want me to tell you your birthday surprise or should I hold out until I know it won’t get pushed back?”

Callie shifts so she’s now straddling me. “Oh, tell me now, Mr. Anderson.”

I smirk at the fake sternness on her face. “I don’t know. It’s pretty big. You might not even want to go because I fear it could lead to us having to buy the whole building for the pictures you’re going to take.”

Callie wraps her arms around my neck. “Well, it’s a good thing we’re partial owners in a couple tea shops. We can put some pictures in them for decor.”

I chuckle. “I knew I married a smart woman.”

“What can I say, I’m a problem solver!” Callie beams. “Now tell me—what are we doing?”

Reaching up I tuck a strand of her fiery red hair behind her ear. “How does a whole month touring Europe sound?”

Callie straightens her back and her eyes light up. “No way. Really? Don’t lie to me, Will.”

“Baby, why would I lie about your birthday present? You know I’ve deemed it the most important holiday.”

I place a small kiss on her lips.

A small smile appears on her face. “I love you,” she whispers.

“I love you too, Blaze.” I cup her face. “Now where’d you put the Polaroid camera?”