One Step Closer(107)

Wren’s eyes filled with tears and her lower lip trembled. “How can you be sure? It will be months before we can be sure it’s not yours.”

It suddenly dawned on Caleb that was the reason she asked that they take a few months apart. He could see the deep sorrow lingering in her eyes before she lowered them to look their entwined hands.

It had to be excruciatingly painful for her after the time they’d spent together. He’d lost his shit when Dex was only dancing with her, and again when he thought she was about to marry Sam. A child was the most permanent bond two people could have and he could only imagine how badly Wren must be suffering. If the situation were reversed he probably wouldn’t be able to function.

“Wren.” Caleb released her hands and then scooted closer so he could cup both sides of her face, using his thumbs to tilt her chin towards his. He rested his forehead on hers. “Do you think I’d let this go on for months without making sure? I couldn’t do that to you. I’m sure, because I took her to the hospital and got a blood test twenty minutes after she tried to pull that shit with me. Not only is it not mine, there isn’t a baby at all.” His thumbs stroked her jaw and her fingers wrapped around both of his strong forearms. “But even if there were, it wouldn’t change that you are the one I want to spend my life with,” he said quietly.

“I was certain you’d marry her if it were true.”

He shook his head; his eyes still intent on her beautiful face. The severe hairstyle made her fine cheekbones even more prominent. “No. I would have been a father, but that wouldn’t make me let you go. Jesus Christ. All I’ve been able to think about was how you might believe her. I wanted to call, but didn’t think you’d talk to me. I figured my only option was to give you space.”

“It hurts that there was even a chance it could’ve been true. I hate thinking about you with her, like that.”

He felt her pain as if it sliced right through him like a knife. He’d give anything if he could take it away. “I know, Bird. I can’t change the past, but Macy has no doubt where things stand. She concocted this whole thing because she was desperate, because she was on her way out. She didn’t care about me; it was all about the money. Wren, please.”

Wren shook her head as a hurt expression settled on her face. “No, it is about you, Cale. How could she not love you?” Her voice was shaky, pain still present behind the words. “How could any woman not love you?”

His heart did a flip flop inside his chest. Every second that passed, she did or said something that only made her more precious.

“It doesn’t matter how she felt, Wren. I know that sounds callous, but I never lied to her, and I never mislead her. I’m in love with you. You have to know that, because Macy did in the first seconds after you walked into my father’s den the night we got to Denver. That’s why she turned into a vindictive bitch.”

“I can’t seem to stop crying,” she said as a small sob escaped. “Even now that you’re here and saying all the right things.”

Caleb chuckled softly, tilted her chin up further so he could kiss her mouth with gentle tenderness. His lips brushed and played with hers, his lower lip nudging her top one. “I know it’s overwhelming. I’m sorry. I should have seen some sort of scheme coming. I should have protected you, but this; you and me, is what’s real.”

Caleb leaned back into a prone position, and pulled Wren across his body and she was lying on top of him, their legs tangling together. He nestled her into a full embrace, until her head rested on his chest. He lifted one of her hands to kiss the inside of her wrist, and then continued to hold it in his.

Wren enjoyed hearing his heart beating beneath her ear and the warmth of his body seeping into hers. “I hated leaving without seeing you.”

“I wish you wouldn’t have. I went bat-shit crazy when I couldn’t find you. Jonesy told me that Veronica called you, and that you went to see her.”

“Good old Jonesy. I knew she would. I hoped, anyway.”

“What happened?”

“Mother and Macy ambushed me at the Ritz downtown. It was brutal. I think I had a panic attack. It was humiliating.”

“I swear to God, I’m going to kill them both.” Caleb closed his eyes, agonizing over what it must have been like. “You should have called me, Bird. Why would you fall for that? Veronica is like the anti-Christ. Anything she comes in contact with goes straight to hell.”

“I went in knowing she wanted something, but I thought if I didn’t go, she’d keep bugging me and months from now, I’d still be dealing with her. I didn’t think it would turn out like that. I just wanted her to get out of my life.”

“You’re an adult. You don’t have to see her. We’ll change the phone numbers and have Jonathan get a restraining order if we need one.”

“Macy is horrible.”

“Yes, but she did well at hiding it until she met you.”

“I bring out the best in people,” Wren said with a sarcastic smirk, then closed her eyes. Crying made her sleepy, but she was conscious that Macy might walk through the door any minute.

Caleb was amused. “You do. Jonesy said you were auditioning for Giselle. How’d that go?”

“I was cast in the lead.”

A slow smile spread over Caleb’s face, pride filling him up. “I’m not surprised.”