Beauty Mark

Chapter 8

Two days later, I sat firmly planted in my seat at Starbucks, obsessively refreshing my screen, hoping to see better results with the release of my first book, Torn. I'd set my expectations too high. I'd foolishly assumed my friends would buy a copy, and with Hayden's help, I might have captured a few new friends on social media that were willing to give me a shot.

Davis sat with me, trying to work, but disappointment-for me, not in me-lined his face. I hated pity, but even more than that, I hated to be embarrassed, which was precisely what I felt. At this rate, it would take me years to recoup the money I'd invested in this book. I couldn't bring myself to think about the fact that I'd quit my job and had zero income.

Wisely, Davis stayed quiet and pretended it was just another day. He'd told me this morning how proud he was of me, and that should be enough. Unfortunately, his words wouldn't cover my half of the rent. The long-term impact of my decisions weighed heavily on me. I desperately tried to keep my feelings in check, but the lone tear that escaped caught his attention.

Using his foot, he pushed the edge of my chair away from the table, leaned forward, and then took my hand to pull me from my seat. I landed in his lap, cradled in his arms, and his soft lips pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"Don't cry, love. Your writing is amazing. It takes time." He tried to reassure me with his words, but it was the security of his arms that stopped my pity party. "I know we've talked about this before and you've been resistant, but I really think you should query agents. You have the talent, Callie. You need someone with the expertise to get you in front of the right people."

"I'm afraid of the rejection, Davis. I'm no different than the hundreds of other authors looking for people to represent them. I don't think I can stomach getting letter after letter, telling me they're not interested."

"You are different. Your work is different. I'm not a huge proponent of the romance genre, but I read a lot. You have natural talent, a strong plot, great character development, and overall, your book drew me in. I don't say that lightly."

I nudged him in the arm, still sitting in his lap. "You have to tell me that."

"Oh, you think so? Why's that?" He smiled as he spoke, that one crooked tooth on full display.

"It's your job as my boyfriend." As soon as the word left my mouth, I realized it was a huge assumption.

Davis and I had only been dating for a few weeks, and neither of us had made a commitment to solidarity. That one word painfully demonstrated my inexperience and naïveté.

He dropped his arm-the one supporting my back-so he could meet my gaze. His green eyes danced as they searched my face. "Your boyfriend, huh?"

I loved when he was playful; it set my mind at ease and erased the thought of an inaccurate assumption. The heat on my face warned me of the blush on my cheeks. "Well, yeah. I mean I'm not seeing anyone else. Are you?"

His nose touched mine-just the tip-as he shook his head.

"Do you want to see anyone else?" I questioned shyly, my insecurity rearing its head.

After planting a firm kiss on my mouth, he popped his lips. "Nope. You're all I need." Then he sat me up.

I stood to move back to my own seat, and his hand smacked my ass. I swatted him away. "You're making it jiggle." The laugh was out before I could stop it. I wore yoga pants every day; if I didn't want my ass to bounce, I should have put on something with a little more structure.

He winked and continued to tease me. "I like it when your ass jiggles."

My eyes rolled at his goofiness, but I loved it. I adored the way he was with me. He guided me; his knowledge and experience made him infinitely wiser, and it showed in his advice. As a lover and as a friend, he was mature, more so than the few men I'd been with. He was a giver and an artist. My pleasure was always his sole focus-everything was always about me. Yes, we'd only been seeing each other a few weeks-a little over a month-but I'd move mountains with a wheelbarrow to make him happy.

My seat welcomed my ass as I settled back into my spot and hit refresh, again, to see if I'd sold anything in the last five minutes. I hadn't, but before I was able to fall back down the rabbit hole, Davis pulled me out.

"When's Hayden's ultrasound?"

"Tomorrow morning." Just one more thing on the long list I cherished about Davis Inman: He asked about my friend whom he'd never met.

"At some point, are you going to introduce us?" That had come up more frequently, from both him and Hayden.

I shrugged and kept my focus on my screen.

"Callie...?" He drew out my name in question. A question I wasn't interested in answering.

I tried to play dumb and blow him off with a sigh. "Huh?" As if I hadn't really comprehended what he'd asked.

The green eyes I loved to see stared me down, yet despite how hard I tried to avoid his gaze, he pushed my laptop lid closed, forcing communication. "Why don't you want me to meet your friend?"

With an exasperated exhale, I conceded to answer the question I had successfully avoided until now. "I don't want you to judge her."

"Pardon?" His brow furrowed, and his lips pursed in confusion.

Ugh. There was no way to say this without sounding like a horrible b***h and an even worse friend. "My friends aren't academia. Hayden and I have been besties since kindergarten, but she doesn't know T.S. Elliot from Stephen King. She's smart but not in a book sort of way."

"I don't follow."

"I don't think my friends are good enough for you," I bit out under my breath. I acted as if there were someone around to hear my confession other than Davis.

"Callie, that's absurd."

"My friends aren't wine connoisseurs, they don't travel internationally, and they're not well read. They all have college degrees, but they just have different interests than you and I do."

"Then how have you remained friends?" The wonder on his face struck me as odd until I really pondered his question. "If they're on such a different plane than you-and me-then why are you friends with them? How do you maintain the relationships?"

"I was a lot like them until college and grad school. I became much more introverted and artistic, and Hayden became much more extroverted. I'm not really worried about anyone but her. She's into guys who grew up around country clubs, not libraries."

"Her taste in men has nothing to do with her offerings as a friend, Callie."

"See, that. Right there. Hayden would mock you for talking that way. And she's loud and demonstrative, or she was prior to the pregnancy." I stopped myself, realizing my friend was hurting and alone.

Davis might not have been her typical best buddy, but she would probably appreciate hanging out, if for nothing more than to eliminate the time she spent in her head.

"Did something just click in the intricate workings of your mind?" The right side of his mouth turned up in a sexy grin.

"Do you want to meet Hayden?"

His hand covered mine in reassurance. "Of course I do. She's your best friend."

I picked up my phone and called her. She answered on the fourth ring. When I asked her about joining us for dinner at Davis's house, she was so thrilled I swore she screamed into the phone. I gave her the address and told her to come around seven.

"She sounded excited." His brow quirked like I needed him to tell me he was right.

"Yeah. I feel like a crappy friend. She's been sitting at home alone, dealing with this whole pregnancy thing, and I've been too selfish to share you."

"I can't wait to meet her." The sincerity in his voice came through loud and clear.

The insecurity in mine did too when I admitted the second half of my fear. "Don't fall for her, please?" I began to gather my things as the words left my mouth, hoping he'd hear me but not dig into it.

No such luck.

Not only did he hear me, but I'd also pissed him off. "Is that what this is about?"

I kept loading my stuff into my bag when he grabbed my arms, stilling my movement.

"Callie, why would you think I'd fall for your friend?"

"She's beautiful. I mean like stunning. Breathtaking. Pregnancy has only enhanced how gorgeous she is. It would be easy to do." I shrugged nonchalantly in an attempt to pretend I didn't just drop a bomb on him.

"Are you kidding me? Have you looked in the mirror recently? I obviously have no idea what Hayden looks like but, Callie, you're stunning. Your hair is like sunshine, your bright blue eyes sparkle against your milky complexion, and don't get me started on your tight little body. You are a total knockout and smart as hell. I'd be a fool to walk away."

I didn't reply, just kissed his beautiful, sinfully sweet mouth. Even if the words weren't true-although I did believe he meant them-they had to be some of the most flattering I'd ever heard. And again, he calmed the demons in my head.

"You're mine, Callie. I have no idea how I got lucky enough to find you or why you would entertain the idea of an old man, but trust me when I say, I'm not going to squander the opportunity."