In Good Company: Chapter 43

“Do you know what you’re doing tonight?” Charlotte asks on FaceTime as I get ready in Cal’s bathroom.

I shake my head. “I have no idea. I was making lunch when Jude showed up acting weird. He and Cal kept whispering to each other. I have no idea what’s going on.”

Charlotte shrugs, a suspicious smile forming on her lips. “I can’t wait to find out what they’re conspiring about.”

I narrow my eyes at her for a moment, my tube of mascara hovering in front of my face. “Did Jude tell you what they’re planning?”

Her mouth falls open as she vehemently shakes her head. “Jude didn’t tell me anything. Why would you think that?” Her voice goes up an octave at the end of her question.

She still holds the phone in front of her face, but she looks away, staring at something I can’t see as she takes her break in the Pembroke Hills employee locker room.

“I think that because you’re acting very suspicious,” I tell her. I raise my eyebrow at her, waiting for her to come up with another lie about how she knows nothing when it’s obvious she does.

“Just finish getting ready so you can find out the surprise and report back to me.”

I roll my eyes before focusing on the mirror again. “It seems like I don’t need to report back to you. You already know what’s happening.”

This morning started pretty normally. Cal couldn’t come to the farm stand with me because of a meeting, but I picked up everything I needed for meals today. I then got to Cal’s place and made breakfast, but when I was busy preparing lunch, Jude arrived unannounced.

That’s when things got weird.

Right after the three of us ate lunch, Cal announced I wouldn’t have to worry about dinner tonight and that I’d need to be ready by six for a surprise.

Never did I expect Charlotte to also be in on whatever the surprise is, but one FaceTime with her, and I’m convinced she knows exactly what’s happening.

“What are you wearing tonight?” she asks, trying to keep her voice smooth. The thing about Charlotte is she’s an open book. You can always read all of her reactions. You know her mood by the look on her face and the tone of her voice. And the tone in her voice right now is telling me it’s taking everything in her to keep whatever this secret is. It didn’t take me very long into our friendship to learn she’s terrible with them.

I finish applying mascara to my eyelashes before I look at her. “Does what I wear really matter?” I push, trying to get more details out of her.

Charlotte somehow manages to maintain a straight face, even though I can tell it’s killing her. She keeps her lips pressed into a thin line in an attempt to fight a smile. “Wear whatever you want,” she gets out, her voice high-pitched and tight. “Just be comfortable.”

“Charlotte.” I sigh, wondering what they’re all keeping from me. It’s not like it’s even close to my birthday or anything of that nature. I’m dying of curiosity about why I’m even being surprised to begin with. “Should I be nervous?” I ask cautiously.

She gives me a warm smile. “No, Lucy. You should be excited. I promise this is something I know you’ll be excited about.”

“So, you do know!”

Her eyes go wide for a moment before she tosses her hair over her shoulder and shrugs. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ll call you once my shift is over! Love you!”

Before I can ask her anything else, she ends the FaceTime and leaves me staring at my phone with a million questions running through my head.

Since Charlotte is no help at all, after I finish getting ready, I decide to slip on a simple dress I picked out on my shopping date with Cal last week. Even though I’ve never stayed the night with him, I’ve learned to keep an extra bag of clothes here just in case. Sometimes in the middle of the day, Cal decides we need to go golfing, or he wants to have people over for dinner or even grab food at the club. Because of that, I needed a few options to keep here for when those things come up. And tonight, I’m very proud of myself for being prepared.

I think the new dress should be perfect for whatever secret thing Cal has planned. It’s a simple black halter dress with small white polka dots all over it. The fabric feels like butter against my skin, making it comfortable, but it can also pass as a little dressy if needed.

I’m busy searching my purse for a clip or a headband to help pull some hair out of my face when Cal walks into the primary bathroom.

“Fuck, I forgot how much I love you in that dress,” he notes.

My entire body flushes at the way he stares at me. He leans against the opening to the bathroom, one ankle crossed over the other as his heated gaze drinks me in.

“That’s a good thing, since you’re the one who bought it,” I respond, giving up on finding anything in my purse and tucking my hair behind my ear.

I give him a smile through the mirror before doing a quick spin in the dress to show it off.

A low hum of approval passes his lips as he pulls my back to his chest, his eyes still pinned on me through our reflection. “You’re beautiful,” he tells me, his voice low.

A shiver runs down my spine at the tender way he holds me, mixed with the grittiness of his words. It’s the small moments just like this that make me wish things were different.

From the moment I came to the Hamptons, I’ve known my place was always back home. I’m okay with that. Although taking over the family store was never my dream, I’d do anything for my parents. They’ve already gone through so much, it wouldn’t be fair for me to ask them to keep working just so I can stay here in the Hamptons. And I’d never ask my father to sell something he’s poured his entire life into, but it doesn’t mean that when Cal looks at me just like this, I don’t wish there was a way I could move back to Virginia and also keep him.

“Tell me what you’re thinking about.” I love the deep, throaty sound of his voice, even if there’s no way I’ll answer his question honestly.

“I was just thinking about how lucky I feel right now,” I answer. It’s kind of the truth. I wouldn’t want things I can’t have with Cal if I didn’t feel so incredibly lucky to have the short amount of time I do have left with him.

He presses a soft kiss to my neck. I love the scrape of his stubble against my sensitive skin and the way his scent surrounds me because of the proximity of our bodies.

“Baby, I’m the lucky one,” he responds huskily.

My eyes flutter shut as he peppers the softest of kisses along my neck. I keep my eyes closed, trying to ignore the sinking feeling settling throughout my entire body as I realize I’m doing exactly what I said I wouldn’t.

I think I’m falling for Callahan Hastings.

The realization is terrifying. I try to push the feeling away, pretending that if I don’t think about it or dwell on it, maybe it’ll go away.

When my eyes open and I find him watching me through our reflections, I know that as much as I’m going to try and ignore the feelings, it won’t take away the fact that they’re there. That what I feel for him is real and getting deeper with each day I spend with him.

“You ready for your surprise?” he asks, breaking me from my thoughts.

I nod before turning around so I can wrap my arms around his neck. “Should I be nervous?”

He shakes his head. “No, you should be excited for this surprise. I’m confident you’ll love it.”

I search his face for any clues about what it could be. “Really? You’re confident? Now I’m even more intrigued.”

He gives me his typical cocky smirk that makes me melt every time before grabbing my hand and taking a step back. “Let’s go find out.”

I let him lead me down the hallway, my heart picking up speed, getting more excited with each step we take. He seems to be leading me to the kitchen. The closer we get, the more I hear the faint sound of music filling the space.

We’re just about to turn the corner and walk into the kitchen when Cal turns around. For the first time, I see a nervous smile on his lips.

“Close your eyes for me, Lucy baby,” he instructs, his voice soft. I know I must still be confused about my feelings for him because the gentle tone to his words and the look in his eyes tricks my mind into thinking he might actually be falling for me too.

“Do I really need to close my eyes?” I ask, shifting anxiously from one foot to the other. Excitement courses through my veins at whatever this surprise is. Just by Cal’s demeanor, I can tell that whatever it is, he’s nervous about revealing it to me. But it’s a cute kind of nervous. Almost like he’s put a lot of thought into it and is anxious to see my reaction.

“Yes, close your eyes. The sooner you do it, the sooner you can see your surprise.”

A smile spreads over my lips, but I do as I’m told. I close my eyes. I expect Cal to start walking again, but instead, he presses a quick kiss to my lips.

“Okay, keep them closed,” he tells me, his lips moving against mine. He keeps them there for a moment before the warmth of his lips against mine is gone.

He starts to walk, his steps slowing as he carefully guides me the rest of the way to the kitchen.

The music gets a little louder and filters through the surrounding space. I don’t recognize the song playing, but it reminds me of something you’d hear while summering in Italy.

“I’m going to count down from three. When I make it to zero, open your eyes.”

I nod in understanding, my lips twitching with a budding smile. I don’t know if anyone’s ever taken this many steps to surprise me. I have no idea what he’s hiding in his kitchen, but I know I’ll love it because he cared enough to plan it in the first place.

“Three,” he begins, keeping his voice steady.

My heart slams against my chest in anticipation. I’m so excited that I can’t even wipe the wide smile from my face.

“Two…”

I swear he’s counting slowly just to torture me. I’m dying for him to make it to zero so I can see.

“One…”

“Zero…”

I open my eyes immediately, not even waiting for him to tell me to do so, and the loudest gasp leaves my lips, and I cover my mouth in shock.

“Cal,” I get out, my voice barely above a whisper as I take in the sight in front of me.

I don’t even know where to look. His kitchen has been transformed into a filming area. Lights have been set up in every corner to perfectly illuminate the kitchen, and on the counter, there’s a tripod with a nice camera connected to it. There’s even a microphone attachment on the camera as well as an iPad that shows exactly what the camera is filming.

“What do you think?” Cal asks, his hand finding my back.

I want to look at him, but I can’t. I can’t pull my gaze from the sight in front of me. Also on the counter are the new dishes he insisted on buying me a week ago, along with some new items I’ve never seen before. Cutting boards, knives, and bowls are all lined up on the counter.

He’s created the perfect setup.

It’s the most thoughtful thing anyone’s ever done for me, and I have no idea how to even form coherent enough words to tell him that.

“This,” I begin, my voice cracking with the emotions clogging my throat. My eyes sting with tears of gratitude. I don’t know if I want to continue to take in every thoughtful item in front of me or if I want to look at him and hope he sees in my eyes all the things I’m too overwhelmed to say.

Cal reaches out and runs his knuckles along my cheek. There’s so much softness in his face, even despite the hard lines of his perfectly chiseled features. “There’s one more thing,” he says, using the hand that was just pressing against my skin to point across the kitchen.

“Lucy, I’d love for you to meet Enzo Russo. His restaurant in Italy has been awarded three Michelin stars. He so graciously accepted my offer for him to fly out here and teach you some of his most popular and authentic dishes. He’s also agreed to allow you to film the entire experience.”

I think the chef steps into the kitchen, but I don’t see him. Not really. One minute, my feet are on the ground; the next minute, I’m catapulting my body against Cal’s and trusting he’ll catch me. My arms wrap around his neck as his wrap around my middle.

I tuck my face against his neck as my body shakes from being so happy and overwhelmed. “Cal, I have no words,” I say, my voice coming out muffled.

He laughs, the sound of it vibrating against my body. “Does that mean I did okay?”

I nod, hoping he can feel it. “Yes,” I mutter, still in complete awe of the sweet gesture. I woke up this morning thinking it was going to be a normal Thursday, and here he was, planning the sweetest surprise anyone’s ever done for me, just because.

If I wasn’t already falling for him, this would’ve done it. But who could blame me? How was I not supposed to fall for Callahan Hastings when he does things as thoughtful and sweet as this?

“This is the best gift I’ve ever been given, Cal,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper from the emotions still overtaking me. “Thank you,” I add, looking at him with a smile so wide my cheeks hurt.

“Only the best for you, baby, since you’re the best gift I’ve ever been given.” He cocks his head to the side and brings attention to Enzo before I can even analyze what he just said. “You ready to get cooking?”