Page 115 of Choosing Us

“So, our Christmas card can say, Merry Christmas, love the Callahans?”

“That sounds like the perfect sentiment. I love it. Thank you.”

He pulls me in, wraps his arm around me, and kisses my forehead. “Now, why don't you take some of your own advice and try to turn that brilliant brain of yours off so you can rest, because I guarantee my brothers will be bringing a ridiculous amount of fireworks to set off in the morning at Dad’s.”

“You mean in the evening?”

“No, they don't wait until dark. The Fourth of July is an all-day-into-the-evening extravaganza. And I can't wait to have you there with me.”

“There's no place else I'd rather be.”

“I have a battle to prepare for, Lo. Are you good in here?” Ryan murmurs into my ear as he slides an arm around and pulls me back against him.

The giggle escapes me without a second thought. “It’s a water fight, Ryan. I don’t think you need to say your final wishes.” I turn in his arms to lean up and kiss him briefly before quietly adding, “I appreciate you checking in on me, though. But you do need to be careful with those ribs.” I give him my best serious doctor face, but I’m not kidding. It’s only been a month since that asshole broke four of Ryan’s ribs. Typically, it takes a minimum of a month for ribs to heal, but it can easily take up to twelve weeks for a full recovery. Ryan is active and in good health overall, so I don’t think he will take that long—but a physical altercation, even jokingly with his brothers and nieces, could set his healing back.

He raises his right hand. “I promise, I will not partake in any hand-to-hand water combat today, only distance shooting … and flinging of water balloons.”

“They are like big kids themselves, Harlow. Just kick him out already or he won’t leave until he knows you’re good,” Savannah calls over her shoulder as she cuts up a watermelon. The annual Callahan Fourth of July festivities are a big deal, and this is my first year included.

That’s the best word for the Callahan family—included. I was welcome into the fold as one of Walker’s friends and colleagues, and even more when I joined Savannah and Vivian’s book club and became close friends with them. But when Ryan and I officially started dating, there was a depth of inclusion that I have never experienced in my entire life.

It’s not just nice, it’s sacred to me.

They show up for each other in a way that I only ever observed in other people’s families or read about in books. They are not perfect, but somehow, that dysfunction and constant evolution actually makes the bond feel even more secure to me—because it’s real.

My own experience of family is such a contrast that Ryan didn’t fully grasp it until he showed up at the fundraiser in D.C. and saw it firsthand.

But the safety of having this family has made it easier for me to be more honest with my own parents, and stay firm in my boundaries.

“I don’t understand. What do you mean you are engaged? Your father didn’t mention anything to me, and I know he would have if he secured a suitable match.” My mother’s aloof tone confirms that she’s not really listening to what I am saying.

“No, Father wouldn’t have said anything because he was not involved in the engagement. My boyfriend that I have been seeing since last fall proposed, and I delightfully accepted.”

“Oh! The young man that is related to Wellington Sinclair’s business partner. What was his name, Brian?” Mother’s tone is sharp now—she smells blood in the water, but I’m not even in the same ocean anymore.

“Ryan. And yes, technically, one of his brothers is the co-founder of Lux with Wells, but that has nothing to do with our relationship.”

“Right, yes, that’s right. That’s a great response, too. Keep that one for when the press asks at your and Brian’s engagement party.”

“Ryan, and I already had one. It was the night of our engagement.”

Silence.

I pull the phone back to make sure I didn’t lose the connection.

“I don’t understand. You couldn’t have already had one, your father and I weren’t there.” A twinge of guilt starts to creep in at that fact. “We would have had it at the club, or the tearoom has better lighting for the press. No, we will host the official one, of course. There will need to be a public statement from our PR firm, and we would need to vet the guest list because it’s just a precursor to the actual wedding itself. Oh, I bet Wellington would be there, too. Wouldn’t that be a delight?”

Any small amount of guilt evaporates.

“No, there is no need for statements, and no press is required, Mother. Although we may put a wedding announcement in The Cotton Ledger.” I smile at the thought. The small-town newspaper still publishes updates like weddings, engagements, and babies being born to families in town. I find it charming, and secretly, it’s the first time I’ve wanted to see my name in a newspaper.

She hums. “I’m not familiar with that outlet. Are they domestic or international?”

“It’s the local newspaper of Forrest Falls.”

“In Forrest—I don’t understand. Honestly, Harlow. Did you hit your head? Where in the world is Forrest Falls? You say these things like I should understand what you are talking about. You’re supposed to be the genius, but sometimes, your communication skills are downright laughable.”

“Mother, Forrest Falls is Ryan’s hometown, and where I have basically been living since the holidays, outside of a handful of evenings I’ve spent at my condo or out of town for work.”