Page 28 of The Other Side

I watch her palm land on the marble of the island, and she faces me from the other end. Her green eyes and berry lips glitter under the cozy radiance so effortlessly. “You should have proper lighting, right? It’s not too sunny out today.”

My pulse jolts into overdrive. “Thanks.”

When she stretches a smile, my eyes linger on her earlobes behind her lax curls. Pear-shaped diamonds decorate them. Sparkling in sheer mockery.

My gut tenses, my palms pressing into the countertop so I don’t crumble under the ridicule.

“Did Jesse offer you something to drink?” Callie points to the refrigerator to my right.

I shake my head. “No, but I’m good. Thank you.”

She begins to walk around the island as she continues. “It wouldn’t be polite for me to make you work on an empty stomach. I have some finger sandwiches I made the other day.” Her hand curls around the stainless-steel rod of the fridge door, and then she’s rummaging inside. “Cucumber, or pesto and tomato. Take your pick.”

“I’m fine, Callie. Real⁠—”

“You’re wastin’ your time,” she sighs. She appears from behind the open door, gently swinging it shut before traveling to me. “I know you’re thinkin’ these sound really bland, but I added a little something extra to each.”

Her palms cradle a platter of triangular sandwiches between us. Her chin is sloped up, and she meets my eyes through her curled lashes.

It’s a friendly challenge.

“What did you add?” I ask.

Callie wags her head, lifting a shoulder as she smirks. “I guess you’re just gonna have to find out.”

The porcelain plate nudges closer to me, and her brows raise in expectation. An even bigger smile decorates her face.

My stomach soars when her jasmine scent snuggles me. Caught in the allure, I instantly pluck a snack from the dish. Then I’m biting half the sandwich off.

Way too eagerly.

The crunch of the cucumber melts with the airy texture of the white bread. But there’s this tangy flavor that supplements the taste.

Besides the fact that it’s ten times better than I assumed, Callie’s hands pieced it together. Knowing this, my skin flushes with heat.

I mumble through the last couple munches. “Sour cream?”

Her button nose crinkles. “Sour cream and cucumbers? No.”

My chest bounces. I maneuver my tongue over the inside of my cheeks, my eyes dancing over her face. “What was it?”

She narrows her gaze, lifting two fingers to pinch the air. “Just a light layer of vegetable cream cheese.”

“Good call,” I offer, my playfulness eroding.

She inhales, throat rolling before she clears it. “I know I shouldn’t keep you, so do you want to take a couple more? For the journey around the house?”

I’m not hungry at all. Nor do I give a shit about working on a light stomach. But before I know it, my hand is swiping a couple more sandwiches.

Just to keep a sliver of her inside me and ration it.

It’s so fucking pathetic.

Callie grins as she re-adjusts the plastic wrap over the plate. “The pesto and tomato sandwich has a balsamic glaze.”

She makes the comment, turning to store the large dish in the fridge. I’m already biting into the sandwich in question before she finishes her mission.

The stainless-steel door snaps shut, and her lips tuck as she walks up to me. She’s holding a plastic bottle of water when she adds, “Can’t just feed you without giving you something to drink.” Her voice rattles slightly on an exhale, and the heat on my skin strengthens.