He turns on the light and slowly backs me into the kitchen island, before picking me up and setting me down on it. His hands are resting at the sides of my thighs as his eyes turn up to meet mine. “That’s much better.”

I swallow as he walks away and opens the fridge. Watching the muscles ripple in his back as he reaches for two beers causes me to have to cross my legs and wipe the palm of my hands off on my jeans.

“A beer,” he questions, holding one up.

I nod my head and reach for one after he twists the cap off. “Thank you. I could actually use this way more than you can imagine right now.”

He steps in between my legs and runs his hands up my thighs. “You want to talk about it?”

I take a quick sip of my beer, before letting out a small breath. “It’s complicated. It’s just that . . .”

I almost stop talking until his eyes meet mine and I see the sincerity in them. He’s looking at me as if he truly wants to hear what I have to say. It gives me the courage to go on. “My sister is getting married tomorrow afternoon. We haven’t spoken in a couple of years and seeing her get married is going to be hard, really hard.”

He grips my thigh and pulls the beer out of my hand, setting it down beside me. “I’m sorry, Calla.” He rubs his hands over my arms for comfort. “Are you okay?”

I shake my head and force a small smile. “Not really, but I’m trying to be.”

He leans in and his lips brush mine. My heart races in anticipation of his lips meeting mine, but again . . . they don’t. It causes my chest to ache with need. He presses his lips to the side of mine and runs his hands through my hair. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.

My whole body shakes as he pulls away from me and takes a swig of his beer. This man is so damn beautiful that it’s almost hard to believe that he’s actually real.

It’s getting late, and although he says that I didn’t wake him up, I have a feeling that he only said it to be polite. I need to just ask him. I’m already here. I have to do this.

“I came here because I was hoping you would be my date tomorrow.” He pauses from taking another drink of his beer. “I know that it’s last minute, but I honestly wasn’t sure that I was going until a little bit ago. It’s just that . . .” I look up and meet his amber eyes, noticing him looking at me as if he can feel how nervous I am. “I don’t think that I can make it through her wedding without having a date with me.”

He sucks his bottom lip into his mouth, looking as if he’s deep in thought. Taking one more sip of beer, he sets it down beside him and grabs my chin. “What time is it?”

My eyes scan all over his face, unable to stop looking at him. “It’s at one, tomorrow. It’s in Lake Geneva.” His nostrils flare as he turns his gaze towards the wall. “I’m leaving early tomorrow morning around nine so that Tori can have enough time to set up her equipment. It’s okay if you don’t want to go.”

“I want to go.” He turns back to face me with a look of disappointment on his face. “But I can’t.” He takes a step back and lets out a frustrated breath. He seems torn. “I have an important meeting tomorrow at noon. It’s a big opportunity for me . . .” He trails off while running his hand through his hair. He almost looks pained as he speaks again. “Have you thought about asking Hunter?”

I shake my head and jump down to my feet. “No. I wanted to ask you.” I offer him a smile and start heading for the door. “It’s not a big deal. It will be over before I know it.”

I feel his hand on the small of my back as I reach for the door handle. “I know this doesn’t offer much help, but you can text me during the wedding if it helps. I’ll be sure to keep my phone in my lap.”

I stop at the door and turn around to face him. “Thanks, but tomorrow is important for you. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” Returning his favor, I grab the back of his head and press my lips to the side of his mouth.

I hear a small gasp escape his lips as I pull away and turn for the door.

“Goodnight, Kyan.”

“Goodnight, Calla,” he whispers back, before I close the door and walk away.

I’m going to have to do this on my own . . .

I’M DUE TO MEET Kevin Goode in thirty minutes at his office. I’m usually never nervous, especially when it comes to deals that I know I’ll have no problems closing, but I’m definitely feeling on edge today.

My mind keeps going back and forth between thinking about this deal for the gym and thinking about how Calla has to face today on her own. I just can’t seem to get past the hurt I saw in her eyes last night when I told her I couldn’t make it. She tried to hide it, but it was clear as day.

Straightening my tie, I grab my wallet and shove it into my pocket while making my way into the kitchen. I open the fridge, pull out a bottle of water, and get ready to open it, when I notice the corner of a white piece of paper, sticking out from under the kitchen island.

Curious, I pick it up and quickly unfold it to see that it’s addressed to Calla. I almost fold it back up and get ready put it back down, but my damn curiosity gets the best of me.

Swallowing, I read over the letter.

Calla,

I know that it’s been a while. It’s been a little over 2 years to be exact. I’ve tried numerous times to reach out to you, but after being repeatedly shut down, I’ve given up. I apologize for that. I know that I hurt you and it should be on me to keep trying until you forgive me, but I didn’t. I’m not as strong as you. I never have been. That’s why when I started having feelings for Jordan, I couldn’t shut them off and walk away. The thing that kills me every day is that I know you would have been able to if the roles were reversed. You may not think that I’m hurt by that day when you walked in on Jordan and me, and that it doesn’t haunt me still to this day, but it does. I’m sorry, so very sorry, but you can’t stop love. Love is a force that cannot be controlled. I know it might hurt for you to read this, but I love Jordan more than I love life. If I didn’t . . . then I wouldn’t be marrying him, but I also love you. You may not believe me at the moment, but I do. That’s why I want you there. I don’t expect you to be my maid of honor or a bridesmaid or to even watch me walk down that aisle, but just knowing that you’re here for my special day will be enough. Please, please, please think about it before saying no.