“You have no reason to believe me, but I’ll tell you I fell for Callie months ago. It had nothing to do with her beauty and everything to do with her heart. She has this way of being completely her without any bullshit or pretence. It’s refreshing. And I never want to change her. I love Callie for every little thing about her.”
My answer seems to give her reason to pause. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Mr Hardy. And if I see any hanky panky, I won’t hesitate to caution Callie.”
My lips twitch and I hold back the grin forming on my lips. But for all the amusement I’m feeling, I’m also grateful Callie has a woman like Mrs Harper looking out for her. I nod. “I understand.”
She returns my nod and beckons towards the TV remote. “Pass me the remote before you leave for the hardware store, please.”
I do as she asks and then make sure I have everything she requires on my list. For a woman who must be ninety not out, she sure does have her faculties about her. She’s after tap washers, light bulbs, paint and a new sink plug. Fuck knows what she plans on doing with paint, but it wouldn’t surprise me if she gets a paintbrush out and starts slapping it on the wall.
Once I’m sure she’s okay and has everything she needs, I head out to the hardware, calling Callie on the way.
“Hey, sexy man,” she answers.
“Your neighbour adores you. Did you know that?”
She laughs. “Why do you say that? And I wondered if she liked me. It’s hard to tell some days. She’s so bossy and serious.”
“She just drilled me with questions regarding my intentions towards you. I told her my intentions were purely sexual.”
“You did not!”
I chuckle. “No, but I considered it. Just to see what she’d say.”
“How is she?”
“She’s doing well. I think the doctor was keen to see her go home. She probably gave him hell. Her hip isn’t too bad now so she can at least hobble around with her walker, but, babe, I’m not sure how she’s going to cope on her own.”
“Yeah, I think I’ll have to check in with her every day for a little while. I’ll definitely do all her shopping for her.”
“You’re a good woman, Callie. She’s lucky to have you.”
“Did you take her to the supermarket?”
“I wouldn’t have dared stray from your instructions, baby.”
“I’m poking my tongue at you right now. You know that, right?”
“I can picture it clearly. And to put your mind at ease, we did the supermarket, chemist and newsagent, and I’m just heading to the hardware for her now.”
“Okay, I’ve put my tongue away. Thank you, Luke. I owe you.”
“Oh, I know. And I’m collecting tonight. Just so we’re clear, tonight’s an A-game night.”
“Dude, I’m at work. You can’t say shit like that when I’m at work.” She sounds flustered, which I fucking love.
“I’m just getting you ready. I want you wet as fuck for me by the time I get to you.”
She sucks in a breath. “Oh, God… I’m hanging up now.”
“Baby?”
“What?”
“I love you.”
Silence. After a beat, she says, “I love you, too, Luke.” Her voice is all soft and it hits me fair in the chest.
Fuck, I love that woman.