Bride 2 Be

Chapter 22 - Decisions

Chapter Twenty-Two
Decisions



HE MISSED HER. THE intensity of Calvin's longing for Lisa because of a two-day separation tortured him to the point he found it difficult to think straight. The belongings he chose to take to start his new life were packed and ready for his flight back to Endurance. Now, all that was left was to get to the airport, board the plane, and return to the woman he loved. It didn't matter that they spoke on the phone frequently. Waking up in bed alone and going to sleep without her beside him drove home the point that he no longer intended to be single or that he even belonged in New York. His ravenous hunger consumed him, making him feel incomplete without her, the intensity of his feelings foreign. He still struggled with all these emotions because this relationship went from zero to one hundred in a matter of days.

In the five years Calvin spent with Jules in a relationship, including during their engagement, he never once felt the magnified connection he shared with Lisa, that they meshed well personally and professionally. It was a revelation looking back. Just being with Lisa, he realized that he and Jules had a profound friendship and compatibility, and Calvin's love for her was closer to what he felt for his siblings. This recognition wasn't just significant but a seismic shift in his understanding of his past and future. Lisa opened his eyes to the possibilities of love and a lasting relationship that nourished him on many levels. How he managed this long without these things was a mystery.

Even Max was smart enough to point out the obvious, though Calvin had to admit that he usually disregarded his friends' insights, mostly because Calvin insisted he knew himself better than his friend. It still shocked him that Max had an inkling that something was brewing between him and Lisa before they even did. He could add his parents to that list as well.

From the moment they boarded the plane from Vegas back to New York, he was already committed to Lisa, and the knowledge that it was even before they made love for the first time, he found astounding. His thoughts raced to that moment in his office when their futures hung in the balance and how close he was to proposing, to quickly realize the timing was awful. He couldn't do that to her. He wanted her to decide based on what she wanted, not what he needed, though now he was determined to propose and ensure it was unique and unforgettable. He understood Lisa's fears about their relationship and the impact on their business venture. All he had to do was reassure Lisa that she could count on him, that he wasn't going anywhere, and if they had to fight for this relationship, he was all in.

However, he found it strange that she didn't see that since he'd personally come to Endurance, looked into buying property, and made the best plan possible to take AO into the stratosphere, all without uprooting her life. In all his years, he never saw himself as becoming acclimated to small-town life, yet being there with her completely changed his opinion. It wasn't like he ran around New York from one lavish restaurant to another or high-class parties and headlining events; he was always more of a homebody. Calvin found it ironic that the rest of his siblings were just that—one hundred percent into the New York atmosphere.

A knock at his door made him quickly look around his apartment. This was it. He was ready. Calvin opened the door, and his jaw dropped.

Edward laughed, "Don't look so shocked. Did you honestly think we'd all let you leave without a proper goodbye?"

Calvin craned his neck to see if the rest of the family stood out in the hall and was thankful they didn't, though Penny stood behind his brother. This was a considerable step none of them had ever taken before, including college, as they all remained close to home. He had no idea how to say goodbye to everyone, even knowing he was just a two-hour plane ride away. This was completely different.

Penny stepped into the room. "I need a favor," she said, looking up at him.

"What would that be?" Calvin asked, letting them fully enter the room.

Penny started pacing the room, and Calvin couldn't help but smile at the reminder of Lisa when she was upset or anxious as her nervous habit took over. "I see that runs in the family."

Penny stopped and turned to him. "What does?"

"Pacing."

It was the first time Penny smiled a warm, genuine smile at him. "Listen, no matter what, I need you to know that I love my sister, though we didn't leave things on good terms before she flew home."

Cal nodded; he'd heard the same thing from Lisa two days ago. "She loves you too, Penny."

Penny nodded and stepped in front of him. "If you truly love her, please take care of her for me. When work consumes her, she forgets little things, like eating, sleeping, and caring for herself."

"Consider it done," Calvin said, wondering if there were more. Penny stared at him with turbulent blue eyes, as if trying to choose her words carefully. "Is there anything else?"

She shifted her eyes away, guilt washing over her face as she wrung her hands. "Tell her I'm sorry, that I didn't mean what I said before the board meeting."

Cal sighed. "I will, but I think it will carry more weight if you tell her yourself."

"I know and intend to; she seems to respond better to you than anyone else." Penny turned to Edward and blushed. "I think we have that in common, too."

Cal wasn't exactly surprised by the information, but he loved knowing that it wasn't his imagination, that he did have a particular pull with Lisa, and that he could help ease her worry and distress.

He watched his brother and Penny, Edward pulling her snugly against his side, his brown eyes almost dancing as he looked down into her upturned face. It was incredible. He'd never seen his brother so happy before, and he had to know for sure because watching them together, away from work and the Penthouse, he suddenly saw what he'd missed all this time.

"You two really love each other, don't you?" Calvin asked, shocked that he'd said the words aloud, knowing Lisa suspected the relationship centered on ulterior motives, yet suddenly, the truth was staring him in the face.

Edward tucked her under his arm. "Yes, I am in love with her. I know everyone is questioning that, but if you all stopped to think about it for a minute, you might remember that I was never big on showing my emotions unless I was angry."

His brother had a point. "I'm glad. Now I know that Penny will also take care of you. I’m happy for you both.” He glanced at his watch. “I guess we should be going."

Penny grabbed a suitcase, lifted the handle, and rolled it toward the door. Calvin and Edward had five between them and followed her to the elevator bank.



LISA STOOD INSIDE THE glass doors with a big smile on her pretty face. Just seeing her there waiting for him was a sight to behold. He couldn't remember her wearing jeans, but once in Vegas and seeing the casual attire today, he realized she wouldn't return to work. He couldn't wait to get back to her place and get naked; then, they could move on to pressing business matters. He had forty-eight hours to make up and was determined not to waste another second.

He pushed the cart loaded with his luggage aside, stepped before her, and smiled. "Hello, Love," Calvin said. His mouth hovered over hers, needing just one more second to breathe her in ahead of pressing his lips to Lisa's. Before he could inch forward, Lisa sank against him, wrapped her arms around his torso, and squeezed, resting her head against his chest.

"Is this real?" she whispered.

Calvin returned the hug. "Yes, this is real."

Lisa pulled back and looked up at him. Her eyes were enormous, and she was almost probing, spearing him in place. "I was afraid to hope."

The admission shocked him, especially when he thought he'd made his intentions so clear to her two days ago. What would it take for her to trust him and believe in all he said? He couldn't ascertain if this had to do with her parent's untimely death or even Penny running off to elope. Something held her back, creating distance between them.

Determination to rid her of doubt coupled with the hunger of the last few days raced through Calvin, fusing his mouth to hers. Fire swept its way through his body like kindling, his pulse raging as his tongue prodded her lips apart and then slid into her mouth with abandon. Hers met every insistent sweep of his tongue, and he held her face, keeping her close. When his fingers caressed her cheek, the softness that met his hand sent tingling sensations through his fingers.

Desire took hold like a runaway train as he forgot where they were, everything fading from his mind except making sure she knew without question that he wanted her in every way possible.

"Ahem."

Lisa pulled back, and Cal stared down at her. Her pink blush turned deep red as she focused on his chest.

"Sorry to interrupt," Anna said.

Nolan nodded and smiled. "Calvin. I'll grab the luggage." He moved around them and retrieved the cart, pushing it towards the door, Anna following.

Cal put his arm around Lisa, and they followed behind the pair.

"How was your flight?" she asked.

He smiled and leaned closer to her ear, "Not fast enough." The door opened as they exited the building. Calvin tried to make it to Nolan before the man could put all the luggage in the truck's bed, but true to form, Nolan was putting the last bag in the back, making quick work of the task.

"I'm sorry for slacking," Calvin said, opening the back door to let Lisa enter the truck.

Nolan laughed. "No worries, I've got you covered." He closed the trunk gate and moved to the driver's door. "By the way, I found what you're looking for."

Calvin smiled. "That was fast. " He got into the back of the truck and slid close enough to Lisa to take her hand and hold it, his thumb brushing against her knuckles and loving that the slightest touch could make her tremble.

Nolan pulled away from the airport and glanced up in the rearview mirror. "You have three options."

Excitement danced through him at the prospect of home ownership. Staying in Endurance required a house, and although Lisa did have a quaint place, they would need something expansive to accommodate his family when they made their trips to Endurance. If the property had enough land, at least an acre, he could have Nolan build a guest house for his parents.

"Go on." He could feel Lisa's eyes on him; all he could do was smile. It was the one thing he hadn't discussed with her.

"There's an old Victorian about five miles from town. It's been abandoned for decades, and you would have to decide if it was worth the renovations, and I don't know if it's structurally sound because I've never seen it."

"Option two?"

Lisa tried to tug her hand away, but he held it tighter.

"You're buying a house?" she asked, the total weight of her eyes on him.

Cal turned to face her. "Yes," he simply said.

Hurt etched her eyes as she continued looking at him. "Why?" This time, she managed to slip her hand from his grasp and crossed her arms.

"Because I'm going to be living here, and when my family visits, which they fully intend to do, I thought it was best they stay with me and not at some hotel." This wasn't the time to mention that he expected her to live with him, one day marry him, and have babies with him. That was a private conversation, and he still needed to decide how to make that proposal. It had to be spectacular.

Anna whistled, and silence took over the vehicle.

Calvin didn't expect this reaction from Lisa but needed to hear the other two options. He had many things to accomplish, and making decisions quickly and efficiently was how he operated. He just hoped she wouldn't hold it against him.

"And the other two options?" he finally asked.

"Ten years ago, some corporate bigwig was building a Craftsman Ranch, and the house was only partially built for some reason. The exterior, windows, and roof are finished, but everything still needs to be completed inside. The house sits on almost two acres. I've seen the plans for it, and it's doable. Unless you were thinking of building from the ground up, you'd have your pick of land surrounding Endurance."

Building from scratch sounded lengthy, and the abandoned Victorian was out. He wanted to avoid investing in something that could potentially wipe out his savings, and he knew how busy Nolan would be renovating the office space and the warehouse.

"Do you know if the ranch is for sale?"

Nolan shook his head. "Miss Johnson hasn't gotten back to me yet. We should know something by morning, I imagine."

"So, you're leaning toward the ranch?" Anna asked. "That's where I'd put my money."

Calvin stared out the window, realizing they had passed the turn leading toward town and Lisa's house. "Are we stopping somewhere?" he asked. For two days, all he thought about was being alone with Lisa, and already, his plans were derailed.

"Carol is making dinner," Anna said. "It's her way of welcoming you to the community."

"Oh," Calvin uttered. He hoped it would be a quick meal. He needed to talk to Lisa. He didn't like that she sat beside him, yet it felt like a brick wall had been erected between them.