Second Chances Under the Tree?

LL

ight air biting at my skin as I p

g he'd pick up. The first call went to voicemail. Then the

he fourth rin

you want,

upset, and you have every right to be. But.

uttered, the pain in his voice

want you to be alone right now. Pl

ause, and I held m

my location," h

d with a text. I glanced at it

and rushed out. The drive to the beach felt endless, as I rep

sitting alone on the sand, he looked

heard me. I sat down beside him, leaving just eno

ispered. "I'm so

ed fixed on the ocean, the waves crashing rhyt

wha

racked. "For letting Ethan get too close. I did

and I could see the pain in his e

t he caught me off guard, and I... I didn't push him away fast enoug

"Callie, I get it. I can't judge you. We've only known eac

e. "I just want to enjoy the moment with you

ant that too. I want to be with you, to make this work. But you h

"I don't usually talk about my past, Callie. I do

ncouraging

completely, and a lot of that is because of Charlotte, my stepmother. She's... m

s felt alone. I don't keep friends. The only person I e

my chest tightening w

called me back to take over the branch where you work. I knew it was Charlotte's doing. Your branch

ut ties with them completely. But I can't. Not yet. My father looks calm on the s

nd took his hand in mine. "Sebastian, I'm so sorry. You d

my hand gently. "I don't know if I deserve those thing

my eyes. "We'll figure this

th this, Callie. I don't want to see you crying... espec

ile tugged at his lips. "No one's around," he mused. "So.

" I said, wiping the remnants of my

leaned back slightly, a smirk curling his lips. "I didn't come here fo

laughing, shaking my head at

allie. So... let's get started. Now." he said, echoing

my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Oh, my God, Sebastian! I can't believe

ng, and dropped my hands from

y serious. "Ridiculous enough

tly cup my face. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down

brushed against mine. The kiss was soft, unhurried,

g their way to his shoulders as I

orehead against mine, with a smile on his li

g lighter than it had in days.

ful smirk as I whispered,

rching as he stared at me.

ands nervously in my la

ook at the star-filled sky. "Callie,"

eady done half the job. Are you going to fin

he repeated, his voice dropping to a low growl. "That

opping to a sultry whisper. "So

g against mine. "Alright," h

g the sand off my coat. "Because I can't w