Although she’d been reluctant to spend the day with Dylan, Callie wasn’t eager for their time together to end. Yet, when he walked her back to her motel room later that evening, she knew that was it. Tomorrow her father would arrive and Dylan would no longer feel obligated to play host.
And that’s what he’d been doing all day, Callie reminded herself. It might have felt like a date, but it wasn’t. He’d only been standing in as host for her father. Nothing more.
Pulling her room card out of her purse, she waited for Dylan to say goodnight and leave. They’d already finalized what time she would arrive at Cliff House the next morning, so there wasn’t really anything left for them to say except goodnight. Regardless, neither of them moved.
“Thanks again. I had a lot fun today,” Callie said to fill the silence between them. It wasn’t necessarily a bad silence. Rather, it reminded her of the awkward stage at the end of a first date when you’re trying to decide if a goodnight kiss would be appropriate. Although it would’ve been unlike her, she might have made the first move and kissed him if it had been a date. Since it wasn’t, she remained rooted in place underneath the light outside her motel room door.
“Me too. I haven’t just relaxed on the beach in a long time. I forgot how much I like it. I’m going to try to do it more often.”
His reply surprised her. While it appeared as if he’d been having fun, she’d assumed it’d mostly been an act. After all, he had been the one to insist they spend the day together. It wouldn’t have looked right if he looked miserable all day.
Perhaps she’d been wrong though. Not that it mattered. The day was over, and they’d never spend the day alone together again.
Since it didn’t appear as if he would say it first, Callie decided she better. “Goodnight, Dylan. Thanks again for a nice day.”
Why couldn’t she seem to turn and open the door? She’d said goodnight. Now she just needed to turn and slip the key card into the slot. Simple. Yet somehow her brain couldn’t get the message to her feet, and he wasn’t helping matters. Instead of leaving, Dylan stood there looking down at her as if she was the only other person in the world.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to send a car tomorrow to pick you up? It’s not a problem.” He’d already asked her that question on the ride back to her motel. “Or if you’d be more comfortable, I can come by in the morning to get you.” He took a step closer to her. “I don’t mind.”
Callie smiled and shook her head. “Really, I’d rather drive myself. I remember how to get there.” She didn’t want to inconvenience him anymore than she already had that weekend. She also didn’t want to be stuck inside a car with him again. Once had been more than enough. “I won’t get lost.”
In slow motion, Dylan lowered his head and leaned toward her as if he intended to give her a goodnight kiss. Instantly, her heart started hammering against her chest. Anticipation gathered in the pit of her stomach and spiraled downward. Then, just like that, she was sucker punched when he dropped a brotherly kiss on her check.
“If you change your mind, call me.” With his final comment, he turned to walk away, but suddenly stopped short. “Did you see that?” he asked, looking back at her.
Callie shrugged. “See what?”
“I thought I saw a flash of light. Must have been a car going by. Why don’t you go inside before I leave?”