Chapter 54

“How’s living with Kar?” Caleb asked, maneuvering the car through morning rush-hour traffic.

“I love it.”

“Not too much, I hope. I want you back home.”

I pressed my lips together to keep from smiling.

God. This boy. I missed this. I missed him. I hadn’t realized how much until he was gone. And now that I had his hand in mine again, I wanted to hold on and never let go. He stroked my palm absently with his thumb, unaware he was doing it.

Last night when we walked on the beach, he’d smell my hair or tug on it gently, or kiss my shoulder, or stroke my arm. Sweet little gestures that filled my heart and choked me up to the point of tears. I had taken those for granted before, but now they were everything to me.

I cherished every one of them.

I blew out a breath to relieve the pressure I felt inside.

“Caleb?”

“Yes, love?”

All these sweet names he was throwing at me made my heart flutter.