Page 45 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Her left eyebrow winged up as she looked from the downpour back to him. “You’re optimistic.”

He grinned. “The front’s supposed to move through by two or three o’clock. I’m betting we’ll get our bonfire in with clear skies.”

“I hope so.”

“Trust me.”

“You know the weather patterns around here better than I do.”

“I’ll pick you up at five.”

“Okay.”

“I should go—head over to the office and blow through some paperwork so I’ll officially be off duty for the next twenty-four hours.” Not even the threat of an atomic bomb was dragging him away from his plans with Callie tonight. Denny and Mac were in charge until tomorrow.

She wiggled her brows. “Sounds good. We should bring something to the party.”

He shrugged. “It’s just a small beach fire and my family. I can pick up some beer if you want.”

She wrinkled her nose.

He laughed. “Or not. What were you thinking?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’ve never actually been to a bonfire, but I’ll let you know.” She looked toward the bakery window. “I should get inside. I’m already running late.”

He nodded and kissed her, dragging out the meeting of their lips. “Have I mentioned that you taste good?”

She smiled. “It’s come up before.”

He snagged her bottom lip with his teeth, greedy for one more sample. “I’ll happily repeat myself.” He eased back and watched the smile leave her eyes as they filled with regret.

“Nate, I—”

He shook his head and rested his forehead against hers. “Don’t even think about apologizing again,” he said quietly.

She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight.

He returned her embrace and settled a kiss on the top of her head. “Go have some fun.” He stepped away and hurried to the Tahoe, getting in his seat and avoiding the worst of the rain. “And remember that anything Molly tells you about me is a lie—unless it’s good, of course.”

She chuckled. “Be safe.”

“That’s the plan.” He winked as he shut the door.

She went inside and waved.

Waving back, he sent her another smile, then flicked on his wipers before he pulled into traffic. As he accelerated, his smile vanished. “Fuck,” he murmured, gripping the steering wheel tighter as he rehashed the events of the last couple of hours. Callie had taken him by complete surprise when she’d tried to end their fledgling relationship in the middle of the forest. His stomach had nose-dived to his toes when she blurted out that she thought they would be better off remaining friends—especially after the way they’d left things last night.

He’d known Callie was shy from the beginning. For the better part of the last couple of weeks, he’d been gently nudging her his way, but after her confessions about never being in love before and their conversation by the old logging trail a little while ago, it was dawning on him that Callie wasn’t simply a little guarded. She had serious abandonment issues.

“I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want either one of us to hurt.”

Someone had been careless with her. He frowned as he turned onto Atlantic Avenue, wondering about it. A bad relationship? It wouldn’t surprise him if Mr. Hollywood had turned out to be a complete tool. Or maybe her baggage had nothing to do with men at all. A bad home life growing up? It was a possibility. Callie had mentioned her siblings a couple of times, but she had yet to say anything about her parents. Whatever it was, he wanted to know—to solve the Callie Davis mystery.

He pulled into his reserved spot at the sheriff’s department and killed the engine, staring out into the rain. He was going to have to work hard to knock down Callie’s walls and show her that they could build something. Convincing her that things didn’t have to end when she left in seven weeks was going to be a challenge too, but he knew he wasn’t about to give up and let her walk away. He’d never been one to take the path of least resistance—particularly when there was something he wanted. And he wanted Callie.

Thomas Sanderson approached the vehicle in one of his typical suit-and-tie combos. He gave Nate’s window two quick taps while he held an umbrella in his opposite hand.

Nate opened his door and breathed in the scent of the same high-end cologne Thomas had been wearing since Nate and Brad had been little boys. “Mayor.”