From behind Chris came a snort. “I’ve seen the way you eat, Cally. More like eating for six.”

  Chris turned his head and there was Denny. Christ, he still had the same acne, the same shock of straggly red hair. Denny’s eyes widened when he saw Chris.

  “Wow, dude. You’re back.” His gaze went back to Cally. “Well, I can see everything is okay here. Cally, you want your usual soda while you make up your mind?” He grinned. “Like I don’t know what you’re gonna order.”

  Cally glanced at Chris. “You still drink root beer?” When he nodded, she gave Denny a smile. “Make that two, then give us a second to decide.”

  Denny nodded, then left them to it.

  Chris sat in the empty chair facing her, Lucy edging her way through the chair legs to curl up under the table. “Are you sure it’s safe being out? I mean, if you’re so close and all?”

  Cally gazed at him steadily. “Any decent OB-GYN would say going for a walk is one of the best things I could do. Besides, I figured it would be easier to talk when Steve wasn’t around.”

  “He was never that keen on me before I left. Nothing seems to have changed.”

  She smiled. “He should be grateful to you. I mean, seeing as we ended up married... Your loss, his gain, right?”

  “Chris? Is that you?”

  He groaned inwardly before turning his head and pasting on a bright smile. “Hey, Rachel.”

  Rachel Dietz stared at him, her bright red lips parted. “I thought it was you. When did you get back?” Her gaze flickered to Cally and Rachel’s eyes widened. “Oh. Wow.”

  Cally gave her a sweet smile that didn’t fool Chris for an instant. “Hi Rachel. Chris and I were just catching up over some lunch. Don’t let us keep you.”

  Rachel blinked. “Oh. Sure. I’ll leave you to it.” She glanced at Chris. “Maybe we’ll see you around, then.”

  “Maybe.” Chris waited until Rachel had gone to another table where she joined some friends before sagging into his chair.

  Cally chuckled. “Well, that’s one way of getting word around that you’re back—run in to the town’s biggest gossip.”

  Chris widened his eyes. “Still? I guess some things really don’t change.” Then he peered along the street and his heart sank. Something must have shown in his face because Cally leaned forward with an expression of concern.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Before he had time to tell her, Mr. and Mrs. Torrance approached the railing. Mr. Torrance scowled at him. “You’ve got a nerve, coming back here after what you—”

  Mrs. Torrance smacked his arm. “Now you stop that. If Cally here wants to eat lunch with Chris, then what’s your problem?” She gave Chris an apologetic smile. “Good to see you, Chris. You two enjoy your lunch now.” And with that she tugged on her husband’s arm, leading him away.

  Lucy sat up, her nose resting on Chris’s knee. He reached under the table and patted her head. “It’s okay, girl,” he said quietly. Chris eyed Cally with suspicion. “You did this on purpose, didn’t you?”

  She regarded him with wide innocent eyes. “Did what?”

  “Brought us here so everyone gets to see me. More importantly, they get to see me with you.”

  There was that sweet smile again. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about. I just came here to eat.” She removed one of the menus from the center of the table and handed one to him. “Denny will be back with the sodas any second. Decide what you’re eating.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Like I even have to look at the menu.”

  Cally snickered. “Why do you think I didn’t even bother looking at one? Besides, I know it by heart.”

  Denny approached their table with two frosted red glasses of soda, crammed with ice, and two wide red straws sticking out of them. “So what will it be?”

  Before Cally could open her mouth, Chris said, “Two portions of chicken strips and a basket of fries please. Ketchup for Cally and mayo for me.”

  Denny gave another nod then disappeared.

  Cally grinned. “It really is beginning to feel like old times.”

  Denny reappeared suddenly, carrying a bowl. “I figured your dog might like some water.” He placed it under the chair next to Chris and then retreated. Lucy was at it in seconds, the sound of gentle lapping coming from under the table.

  “Remind me to thank him for that before we go,” Chris remarked. You had to like somebody who cared for animals. He relaxed into his chair and took a good look at Cally. Pregnancy obviously suited her. That glow he always read about was evident in her face. She wore a yellow dress, and it caught the light, reflecting it upwards.

  “Do I have a mark on my face or something?”

  Chris chuckled. “I was staring, wasn’t I? No, I was just thinking how good you look. When I left, you were still in your teens. I’ve come back to find you’ve grown into a woman.”

  “Well, that’s what five years does for ya.” Cally drew on her straw. She cocked her head to one side. “So how did it go with Hunter?”

  And just like that, Chris’s good mood left him.

  “Pretty much as you expected. I think I’d have been happier if he’d bitten my head off. I could deal with that. But he was just so... distant.”

  “Distant?”

  Chris nodded. “He looked at me like I wasn’t there. Like he didn’t give a shit.”

  Cally frowned. “Now wait a minute. I’m the injured party here. If I can cope with seeing you again, I’m damn sure he can. He just needs to grow a pair. And if he needs to hear that, I won’t shy from telling him so.”

  Chris didn’t doubt that in the slightest.

  The tables began to fill steadily around them, the air full of the chatter of people enjoying the day and anticipating their lunch. It was a surreal feeling. On the one hand, it was as if Chris had never been away. On the other, there was a very pregnant Cally, a stunning reminder that years had passed.

  “Chris? Oh my God, it is you.” Mrs. Reynard stopped by the railing and gave him a broad smile before she lurched forward violently. Chris peered over the railing to where her American Staffordshire Terrier was pulling on his leash. “Baxter, stop that,” she admonished.

  It seemed that like Saugatuck, Baxter hadn’t changed either.

  Chris gave her a polite smile. “I can help you if you want him to stop doing that.”

  She stared at him. “Really?”

  Chris nodded. “The next time he pulls, stop immediately and stand completely still until the leash relaxes. Wait until he takes a step back, or he turns around to look at you. Then carry on walking. Do this as often as you need to, until he gets the message. And he will get it.”

  She beamed at him. “Oh, thank you so much. I will try that.” Her gaze flickered over to Cally and her eyes sparkled. “Good to see you, Cally. You’re looking well. I’ll leave you to your lunch.” She turned her attention back to Chris. “Maybe I’ll see you around town?” There was a hopeful note in her voice.

  Before Chris could answer, Mrs. Reynard was back to her walk, led away by a very enthusiastic Baxter.

  Cally chuckled. “You know, if you wanted to start your own business in Saugatuck, that’s where you could start.”

  Chris gave her a puzzled glance. “Doing what?”

  “Dog training.” Just then, the food arrived, and all conversation came to a halt. About halfway through, she summoned Denny and asked for more portions of ketchup. Denny rolled his eyes, walked away, and returned with a bottle.

  “I should know by now, shouldn’t I?” He peered at Chris’s plate. “You need more mayo?”

  Chris laughed. “I think the four portions you brought me are more than enough.” Denny walked off, chuckling.

  Cally narrowed her gaze. “Was that a dig at me?”

  Chris pointed to her chicken strips and fries. “Eat your lunch, Cally.” From beneath the table came the sound of smacking chops, but Lucy didn’t whine. Good girl.

  When they were done, Cally reached into her purse but Chris stopped her. “You may have invited me, but I think paying for lunch is the least I can do.”

  Cally fastened her purse. “Hey, I’m not gonna argue. But I’m not quite done yet.”

  Chris snickered. “I don’t think you’ve got any more room for anything else.”

  “There’s always room for ice cream. But not here. Let’s go buy some ice creams, and then we can sit by the river, eat them... and talk.”

  It was the talk part that worried him.

  Ten minutes later, they were strolling down to the river, past the restroom with its Seurat-inspired mural, to a bench that looked over the water to the far side, to the houses nestled in the trees. They sat down, eating the cool ice cream and enjoying the view of the chain ferry as it crossed the Kalamazoo river. When Chris was a kid, he’d wanted to spend his summers working on the ferry. Of course, his dad had had other ideas.

  Lucy sat beside the bench, the handle of her leash curled around the arm. Her attention was focused on the boats.

  “I need to ask you something,” Cally said quietly, “and I need you to be honest with me.”

  “Okay,” he said cautiously.

  “When... when did you know you were gay? Was it after you and I...?”

  Chris took a deep breath. “Before we go any further, I’m not gay. I’m bi. And for another, I knew I was bi before you and I ever...” He had to smile. “I’ve never known you to be coy.” Then her question finally sank in, and he knew where this was leading. “Wait—did you think you turned me gay? Aw honey, no.”

  “Well, what was I supposed to think? I knew I was the only girl you’d ever been with. Not that we did that much, but you seem to enjoy it at the time.”

  “You mean, not that you let me do much.”

  Cally glared at him. “You knew perfectly well my feelings on that subject.” She gave him an inquiring glance. “Okay, let’s have the truth. How long have you had feelings for Hunter?”

  He laughed softly. “Since forever?”

  Her eyes widened. “Then why did you never let him know?”

  Chris gaped at her. “Because he’s straight. And while I may be into many things, masochism is not one of them. What was the point of telling him?” Then a thought occurred to him. “He’s had girlfriends in the past five years, right?”

  Cally shrugged. “Not exactly what I’d call girlfriends. He goes out on a date once in a while, but it never seems to go anywhere.” She peered at him. “What about you? Have you dated much since you’ve been in Chicago?”

  “Not much,” he lied. It sounded better than saying there had been no one in his life. It didn’t make him sound such a loser. Because hinting that he may have had a relationship or two was much better than telling her he was still pining for the man he could never have.

  The man who probably hated his guts.

  “You should tell him,” she declared suddenly. “Think about it. It might explain what happened.” Chris said nothing, but silence wouldn’t stop her. “You just need to give him time to thaw.”

  “Who says I’m staying around long enough for him to do that?” Chris didn’t miss the quick look of hurt that flashed across her face. She wanted honesty, right? “Besides, I might be heading back to Chicago sooner than I anticipated.”

  Cally blinked. “But you just got here.”

  Chris nodded. “And I’m about to lose my bed before I’ve even slept in it again. Mom needs the room for a booking tonight. I’ll have to find somewhere else.”

  “You’re not gonna find a room around here. Not at this time of year.” Then she smiled. “Leave this to me.” She pulled her phone from her purse and stabbed at the screen with her finger.

  “What are you doing? Who are you calling?”

  Cally ignored him. “Hey, bro...”

  Chris froze. “Why are you calling Hunter?” he whispered.

  Cally waved a hand. “Yeah, I know. He was just telling me all about it... We were having lunch at Wally’s...” Her face tightened. “I can eat with whoever I want. Now listen. His folks need his room, so Chris has no place to stay. You’ve got all that space. You can put him up.”

  Chris’s chest tightened and his throat seized up. No fucking way.

  “Do not yell at me, Hunter Jesse Drake. And don’t be an asshole about this. Just get a room ready, and I’ll send him over once we’re done... Since when have you ever known me take no for an answer?” She disconnected the call.

  Chris stared at her in horror. “You don’t seriously expect me to stay with Hunter?”

  Cally stared right back. “Why not? He’s got the room.”

  “Why not? Did you not hear me when I told you how he looked at me?” This was a nightmare.

  “Yes, I heard you. More importantly, I heard the stuff you didn’t say.”

  The remains of Chris’s ice cream were melting all over his hand, but he didn’t give a fuck. “So now you’re reading my mind?”

  Cally sighed heavily. “You are still carrying a torch for my brother. He is still hurting. Both of you need to heal. So I’m doing my damnedest to facilitate this. Trust me, you’ll both thank me after.”

  The bit that worried him was after what.

  Chapter Six

  Hunter disconnected the call and placed his phone on the kitchen worktop, his head in a spin.

  Chris is coming to stay. The whole situation felt surreal. He’d always known he would see Chris again, but he’d counted on not more than an hour at a time. He could just about cope with that. Spending more time with Chris meant reliving too many memories.

  Including that memory from five years ago. The last time he’d seen Chris before he’d done his disappearing act. Hunter could still recall the chill in the air that had forced him to turn on the heater in his car. He could still hear the hoot of the owls from the trees across the river, the only sound carried on the breeze. And then he’d heard it, the crunch of tires on gravel as Chris drove toward the back of his parents’ B&B. No headlights, of course—he hadn’t wanted anyone to spot him.

  Too bad. Hunter would have camped out there every night until he came home. There was no way he was letting Chris get away with this.

  He’d watched as Chris crept into the garage, heading for his room above. Hunter had a hunch this was meant to be a quick stop, a hunch that had paid off when five minutes later, Chris had appeared at the garage door, closing it carefully so as not to make a sound.

  It hadn’t been hard to spot the bags. Damn it, I hate being right.

  Hunter had waited until Chris was back at his car before clearing his throat. Chris had almost jumped out of his skin.

  “Christ, you scared the shit out of me,” he’d gritted out. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  “Waiting for you, of course.” Hunter had walked over to where Chris stood. “And now I’m waiting for an explanation.”

  “Then you’ve got a long wait ahead of you.” Chris had gone to open the car door, but Hunter caught his wrist. “Let go of me,” he said through gritted teeth.

  “Not until you tell me why you left my sister waiting for you at that fucking church, with all her family and friends there, not to mention your parents, your friends, your best man...” Hunter had fought the urge to hit him. “Cally still hasn’t stopped crying, you bastard.”

  Chris swallowed. “I... I’m sorry about that.”

  Hunter glared at him. “Why, Chris? Just tell me why. Because I want to understand.” He didn’t want to think of Chris like this. He didn’t want thoughts of Chris to be forever connected to this stomach-churning nausea that had been with him for two days.

  Chris wrenched his hand free of Hunter’s grip. “I got cold feet, okay?”

  “But to do this now?” His voice had been a little louder, and Hunter had tried to remember that it had been three in the morning. “You couldn’t have found some better time to do this, say, before the actual wedding day? You couldn’t have found a less painful way of telling Cally that you didn’t want to go through with this? And what now? You’re just gonna slink off without telling anyone?”

  “That was the general idea.”

  Hunter had stared at him, unable to connect the boy he’d grown up with, his best friend, with the man standing before him. It just didn’t add up. Chris wasn’t like this.

  But he is like this. Because he’s doing it.

  Hunter had taken a deep breath. “I never took you for a coward.”

  Chris had raised his chin and looked Hunter in the eye. “Then I guess you don’t know me as well as you thought you did.” And with that, he’d opened the car door and climbed behind the wheel.

  “Chris. Please.” Dammit, Hunter had felt like his heart was about to break.

  Chris had shut the door quietly, then lowered the window. “Goodbye, Hunter.” Then he’d slung the car into reverse, backed out of the lane before reversing onto the main street, and driving away.

  Hunter gave himself a mental shake. This wasn’t helping. Chris was coming, and Hunter was a mess. He’d been a mess ever since he’d opened the front door and seen Chris standing there. Five years hadn’t wrought much of a change. Chris’s hair was a little shorter and neater than Hunter remembered, and he was still slim. When Hunter had lain eyes on him, he knew how he was supposed to feel—dammit, he’d harbored that anger and resentment for so long—but there was... nothing. Why couldn’t he be angry? It felt as if someone had pressed the reset button, and Hunter was fighting it.

  I have an obligation to be angry, on Cally’s behalf.

  Except Cally obviously wasn’t angry.

  Fuck, this was too much to deal with. Hunter had his own inner turmoil going on without adding to it. Stuff that he couldn’t share with anyone, not even Cally. Then he realized that all this internal rambling wasn’t going to change a damn thing. He had a guest coming, and that meant practicalities.

  Hunter pushed his fears and anxiety aside, and went to get Chris’s room ready for him. He hadn’t figured on playing the role of host, but there was no way he was going to fight Cally on this. He knew from experience she’d win every time.

  Half an hour later, his guest bedroom looked inviting, with fresh clean towels on the bed, and a new bar of soap in the bathroom. He caught the sound of a car engine outside, and he peered through the blinds.

 

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