Page 90 of Sunkissed Colorado

“Nothing like that.”

I knew he was thinking of the creepy note on my windshield. But I’d had someone with me whenever I went into Hearthstone or left at night. Usually, it was Callum, but Darius and Connor had made appearances too. No one else aside from Callum’s roommates knew about my harasser, and I wanted to keep it that way.

Tommy Pickering hadn’t been seen at the brewpub or anywhere else in my vicinity either. Whoever had been harassing me, I just hoped they were done. Hopefully scared off by my new twenty-four-seven bodyguard patrol.

The worst was thinking about Hearthstone being vandalized because of me. If anything happened to this place, I couldn’t bear it.

I turned around and sat on the edge of the desk, lifting my phone. “Just a text from my mom earlier, weaponizing Sunday family dinner.”

“Sunday dinner doesn’t sound so bad.”

“Yet it is. I’ve been avoiding it since I got back. My parents will use it as an excuse to grill me about all the ways I’m failing. It wouldn’t be so bad if Grandpa or Rosie would be there, but they only turn up on special occasions or holidays. This is my mother’s show.”

Mom usually invited a couple or two from the Hart County Golf Club. I’d heard more than I ever needed to about putters and real estate at these dinners.

Callum sidled closer, putting his hands on my hips. “I’ll come with you.”

My heart leaped. I told it to stay down. “You don’t need to do that. It’s going to be miserable.”

“Then we can be miserable together. I hear it’s not as bad.”

“But why?” I sputtered. “We’re coworkers with secret benefits. Not…”

The corner of his mouth lifted with a smirk. “Not friends?”

I crossed my arms. Maybe pouting, just a little. “I wasn’t going to say that. We’re friends.”

I didn’t even know what I’d been going to say. Just that we weren’t the kind of involved where the guy wanted to meet the parents. He hadn’t introduced me to any of his family, and that was fine.

We weren’t dating. It was allfine.

“I should hope we’re friends.” Callum pinched my chin playfully. “Friends support each other.”

“Yes, we’re friends,” I said with a huff.

“Besides, rich people usually have tasty food.”

“The food’s good,” I admitted.

“Then it’s settled. RSVP for me. Is this black tie?”

My snark resurfaced. “What do you think?”

“Shit, white tie? My white tux is at the cleaners.”

My lips fought to keep from smiling. “You can wear whatever you want. Do not cater to my parents. Most of the time it backfires.”

“Got it. I’ll wear my favorite G-string and nothing else.”

“Please do. At least I’ll be entertained.”

He brushed a kiss to my cheek. “I promise, Z, with me around, you will be entertained.”

I circled my arms around his waist, wishing I didn’t feel anything deeper for him than that.

Callum whistled. “So this is how the other half of Silver Ridge lives. Fancy.”

He’d just pulled his truck past my parents’ open gate. I’d beenstressing since yesterday about Sunday dinner at my parents’ place. The anxiety had wound me so tight last night that Callum had given me a massage, which had turned deliciously filthy in the best way. He’d delivered a very happy ending that finally allowed me to sleep. But I still had to face this dinner, so was the relief really worth it in the end? At least I was well-rested for whatever fresh hell awaited me.