Gillian knocked on the door. Emily answered. "Hi GIllian," she stepped back to let her inside.
"Emily hi. I didn't know you were here tonight?" Gillian reluctantly entered.
"Yeah Mom's out of town on business," Emily explained as she shut the door behind them. "Come in."
Gillian nodded but she looked awkward. Cal appeared in the hallway in socks and with an apron over his shirt. Gillian's expression brightened when she saw him but he kept his neutral. Emily headed back to her room.
"All right?" He asked Gillian. He kissed her cheek softly.
"You didn't mention Emily was going to be here," Gillian spoke in a low voice.
"It's all right; she's goin' out for dinna and a movie with Dan."
Gillian gave him a disparaging expression.
"She won't think anythin' of it," Call assured her, guessing at her discomfort. He reached for her coat, letting his fingers brush lightly along her neck. Gillian savoured the touch for a moment. But only because they were alone. "We have dinna sometimes," Cal continued. "If she asks, I'll just tell her it's a business thing."
"With a bottle of wine?"
Cal gave her his impish smile that was meant to win her over. Gillian gave him a warning expression, she wasn't impressed, and handed over the bottle anyway. Cal took it and led the way to the kitchen.
"Smells great, what are you making?"
"Chicken, rice and stir fry veges," Cal responded. "I can cook but I'm not a masta chef. Is that all right?"
"That you're not a master chef?" Gillian leaned her arms on top of the bench. "I'm going to have to rethink things." She grinned. Cal gave her a disparaging expression before he glanced briefly down the front of her shirt and then turned to lift the lid on a pot and check inside. Gillian felt the little flutter of delight that he was checking her out and wasn't exactly being subtle about it. "Can I do anything to help?"
"No, no, no, you sit. I'll cook. Do you want some wine now?"
"I'd love some," Gillian responded with a warm smile, starting to forget that his daughter was in the house and that she didn't know about them; this just felt like any other date night.
Cal turned to the bottle sitting on the bench and started to open it.
"Ok I'm going now," Emily entered pulling her coat over her arm.
Gillian hurriedly straightened up.
"Ok luv, have a good time," Cal answered.
There was a moment's silence.
"You feeling ok Dad?" Emily asked surprised.
Gillian stared at Cal. He looked between both of them. "What?" He asked.
"No interrogation?" Emily asked. "Ok I'll take it."
"Hang on," Cal finally caught Gillian's meaningful glare. "What time will you be back?"
"After the movie. Nine thirty."
"All right I'll expect you at nine thirty then."
"Ok," Emily responded with mock exasperation.
"Isn't Dan pickin' you up?"
"He's meeting me out the front."
"All right," Cal sighed. "Have a good time."
"Yeah you guys have a good…," Emily waved her hand at the room as though she didn't know what the hell they were doing.
When they heard the front door Gillian moved to give Cal's shoulder a soft punch. "What was that for?" Cal objected.
"You," Gillian admonished.
"What did I do?"
"You're behaving differently."
"I am not," Cal protested lightly when she pulled away. His hands were around the small of her back, keeping her close. He gave her a slight smile, his gaze tender and Gillian's hands curling into his hair.
"No interrogation before she goes out? Even Emily picked up on that," Gillian nudged her hips into his.
"I don't interrogate her all the time."
"She suspects."
"She doesn't," he insisted.
"She does now that you're being weird."
"How am I bein' weird?" Cal asked surprised.
Gillian rolled her eyes. "Don't suddenly pretend to me that you don't know how to be deceptive."
Cal let her go to pour the wine. "I'm just out of practice with this," he handed her a glass and then gestured between them, meaning their fledging relationship was still something he was getting used to. They had only been dating a few months after all. "So what are we celebratin' exactly?"
"My divorce. It is official."
Cal raised his eyebrows while studying her face. Gillian laughed. "I'm ok about it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Gillian insisted. "It's worked out for the better I think." She gave him a cautious smile. Cal gave her a grin. They clinked their glasses and sipped. "So I was thinking maybe we could start telling people about you and me now."
"Why all of a sudden?" Cal asked carefully.
"I'm not married anymore. Isn't that what you were waiting for? You wanted to be sure Alec and I weren't going to get back together?" Gillian reached out to put a hand on the bench and leaned against it.
Cal's surprise flashed over his face for a second. "How did you know that?"
"I worked it out," Gillian told him pointedly. "That's what I do."
"I knew datin' a shrink would have its drawbacks," Cal responded snidely.
"I really think you should tell Emily first though."
"Why's that?"
"Because it's important."
"How's that…?" Cal went to ask.
Gillian interrupted him. "It's important to her. You're her father. You're building a relationship based on trust and honesty and friendship now that she's growing up. And you need to show her that she's important to you by telling her about significant life events. And that way she'll feel she can reciprocate."
"It's a life event is it?"
"You don't think we're a big deal?" Gillian asked curiously.
"No I do," Cal was immediately adamant. "You're right. I should tell her."
PJ
Cal arrived home from a Saturday morning in the office and approached Emily's bedroom door. It was open but he tapped on it lightly anyway. Emily was sitting on her bed reading a novel and she looked up at the noise. "Hey Dad. How was work? You sort everything out?"
"All right luv," Cal greeted. "Yeah everythin's sorted. What'd you get up to?"
Emily gave a shrug and a mouth frown. "Nothing."
Cal opened his mouth to comment on her expression but changed his mind and entered the room. He needed to do this before he chickened out. Gillian's words last night were, as always, very insightful. He did need to build a better relationship with his daughter. He spent too much time shutting her out of his life too. "I need to talk to you about somethin'."
"Ok," Emily responded innocently. Cal took a seat on the edge of her bed. "You look very serious," Emily noted. "Everything ok?"
"Yeah everythin's fine," Cal responded. "Um, I need to tell you somethin' but the information's kind of sensitive."
"Ok," Emily noted looking a little scared.
Cal hesitated. "I've been seein' someone."
Emily looked delighted. "Dad! Wow! I'm impressed. Wait, properly seeing someone? Not just... sleeping with someone? In which case, I don't need to know."
"No," Cal scoffed. "Not that. I mean propa seein' someone. Datin'."
"How long has this been going on?"
"Uh, a while," Cal admitted.
"Oh man! I knew something was different with you. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I wanted to be sure it was a sure thing I guess."
"That's so typical," Emily rolled her eyes. "What's her name?"
"It's Docta Fosta."
Emily looked stunned. "What?"
"I've been seein' Gilian."
"Dad! What's wrong with you? She's married."
"Actually she's divorced. Came through a few days ago."
"But how long have you been dating?"
"About three or four months roughly."
Emily looked at him in disbelief. "And it's serious?"
"Yeah," Cal answered looking her in the eye.
"And you're happy?"
"Yeah," Cal repeated.
"Is she happy?"
"I think so."
Emily gave a smile. "Then that's great Dad."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Maybe sleeping with someone you work with isn't such a bright idea but if you're happy…"
"I am happy," Cal interrupted with a small grin.
Emily looked excited. "Are you in love with her?"
"Love's a bit strong."
"So you are," Emily answered herself.
Cal looked shocked for a moment and then hid it. "I don't know if you can be in love anymore at my age."
"You can be in love at any age," Emily told him. "I'm really happy for you Dad."
"Thanks luv."
"Why is it sensitive information?"
"Uh, well, with your mutha."
"She's married now Dad," Emily interrupted again. "She doesn't care."
"Thanks a lot."
"I meant," Emily corrected. "She doesn't get to care that you're seeing someone anymore."
"I just think, if you happened to talk to her about it, you could be subtle. Try and spare her feelin's a little."
Emily smiled, amused. "You mean, it's not about me telling her that you're dating someone, it's that you're dating Doctor Foster."
Cal shouldn't have been surprised at her perceptiveness but he was stunned for a second nonetheless. "Somethin' like that yeah."
"Ok. But you're going to tell her eventually right?"
"Yeah eventually we'll tell everyone."
"No one else knows?" Emily asked looking surprised.
"No."
"Why not? You're not ashamed are you?"
"No, no, no, nothin' like that. It was complicated before, with Gillian gettin' divorced and us workin' togetha, so we were just bein' cautious."
Emily nodded. "Fair enough. In case it doesn't work out, right?" She teased.
"You sayin' you have no faith in my ability to make relationships work?"
"I'm just saying it's been awhile."
Cal narrowed his eyes at her. "All right, enough talkin'. You got homework?" He got up to leave.
"Hey Dad," Emily stopped him.
"Yeah luv?"
"I'm glad it's Gillian. She's so good for you."
"Yeah, I'm beginnin' to see that too," Cal agreed with a wry smile. That went well.
PJ
Cal stood at the mirror knotting a black tie carefully. He was also in a white shirt and black suit. His hair was combed back and held in place with expensive hair gel Emily kept him supplied in. He was cleanly shaven. He readjusted the knot at his neck when Gillian entered the bathroom. She was in a black dress and her hair was sleek and straight. Her eyes were darkened by black eye make-up and her skin flawless. Cal stared at her. It wasn't often she got this dressed up, but before he could comment on how amazing she looked Gillian said, "Wow, look at you. You look great."
"I was just thinkin' that about you," Cal countered.
Gillian approached and Cal turned away from the mirror. She reached for his collar to readjust one of the corners that had turned up and he just reached for her. "Remind me why we have to go to these stupid charity events?" Cal asked.
"Because I like going and it's a great opportunity for us to meet new people, get our name out there and network, which means more business, which means more money, which is always a good thing."
"So it's a business thing?" Cal clarified.
"Yes," Gillian responded. She stood in front of him letting her hands rest on his chest, just below his shoulders. As always, she seemed excited. "Plus, they have the best dessert buffet."
"Ah so it's the food."
"Some of it. Mostly it's about the business. Which you should care about too." She gave his chest a pat and moved away to the bedroom, where she began to gather her purse and essential items.
Cal followed and watched her from the doorway. He leaned against the frame. "You know Zoe will be there?"
"Yeah I know," Gillian answered neutrally from the bed. She closed the clasp on her purse and straightened up to give him her attention. The dress she was wearing was another 'little black dress'. Cal marvelled at how many she could produce and, as always, how amazing she looked in them. This one was knee length, loose around the waist and more fitting around the bust. She wasn't wearing a bra and he spent too much time thinking about that for the rest of the evening.
"Where did all that stuff come from?" Cal indicated the assorted items on the mattress.
"What do you mean?" Gillian asked innocently.
"Did you bring all that stuff with you just now?"
"Um, yeah."
"Do you always travel around with that stuff?"
"If I need it."
"It's a lot of stuff to travel around with."
Gillian looked down at the assorted make-up items. The straighteners she had used on her hair. Moisturiser, hair product and nail polish. The clothes she had worn over in the first place. It made sense to her. "I need it to make me look beautiful," she responded with a bemused laugh.
"First of all, you don't need it to look beautiful. And second, maybe you could leave some of it here." Cal gave her a 'what-do-you-think expression'.
"Permanently?"
"Yeah. You're here all the time anyway. It'd make sense for you to have some things here, clothes and make-up and whateva else you need," Cal gave a nonchalant shrug.
"That's a big step," Gillian noted, pleased and impressed.
"I can clear out a drawer."
Gillian gave him a smile. But she didn't directly answer. She headed towards the bed room door.
"Maybe some space in the wardrobe."
"We should go," Gillian changed the subject, brushing past him to the hallway.
"You want to take my car or yours?" Cal asked following the change in topic and her to the front door.
"Yours. You picked me up remember?"
"Right," Cal agreed. Now that Emily knew, but no one else did yet, it definitely felt like they were living a double life. He retrieved his wallet and keys from a table in the hallway. They pulled dark coats on.
They were holding hands in the car until they come into view of the hall where the function was being held. Once the valets came into sight though, they pulled apart. Cal handed over the keys and took the ticket. He put his arm out to guide Gillian into the building. They checked their coats as they entered and handed over their tickets for the event. Cal fidgeted with his tie. It felt claustrophobic.
"You look great," Gillian told him, leaning close to his ear. Cal caught the strong scent of her perfume. He glanced over at her as they walked. She looked amazing. He couldn't think of any other way to describe how beautiful she was and he continued to watch her as they entered the main hall. He didn't even care if someone busted him staring.
The room was decorated in dark reds and black. Tables were set up at intervals around the room. A buffet table lined one wall. A band was playing generic tunes on a stage at the opposite end of the extensive space. They took stock of the room from just inside the entranceway. Gillian stepped away from Cal as they looked around so they weren't standing too close together. Cal spotted Zoe talking with two men in dark suits with red ties. She didn't see him and he took Gillian's arm and led her in the opposite direction. Gillian, who had been watching the room, was surprised by the sudden gesture. "Where are we going?"
"Just over here," Cal responded lightly.
Gillian allowed herself to be led away but looked firstly at Cal's expression, then over her shoulder as they walked. She caught a glimpse of Zoe before Cal could hide them behind a group of people. "You can't avoid her all night."
Cal looked purposefully innocent, like he had no idea what she was talking about. Gillian gave him a knowing, pointed expression; she wasn't buying. Then she saw the mayor over his shoulder. "Come on, there's the mayor," she turned Cal with a hand on his elbow.
"Doctor Foster," Mayor White saw her approaching. "Doctor Lightman," he extended a hand.
"Mista Mayor," Cal shook his hand, then went back to glancing around the room. He watched everyone's expressions.
"Good to see you again," White turned his attention back to Gillian. "You look lovely this evening."
Cal's concentration turned back to the Mayor.
"Thank you," Gillian answered graciously with her politely friendly smile. "It's quite a turn out this evening."
"Yes even in these times it's good to see people coming out to support a good cause."
An aide approached him and murmured close to his ear. "You'll have to excuse me. I'm told the D.A has just arrived and I need to speak with him."
"Ok," Gillian nodded with a smile. The Mayor walked away.
"He's lyin'," Cal pointed out immediately.
"Yes," Gillian agreed lightly.
"Most of the people here are lyin'," Cal glanced around the room again. He looked as though he wanted to say more.
"This is like torture for you isn't it?" Gillian asked gleefully amused.
Cal watched her neutrally.
"Let's get a drink," Gillian suggested.
"Best idea yet," Cal agreed leading the way to the bar.
Later in the evening, Gillian was sitting at a table talking to a woman who worked for the senator of Maryland, who was interested in meeting Cal sometime. The conversation ended and the woman got up and left. Gillian smiled pleasantly in farewell as the woman walked away, then her expression faltered as she looked around the room, her eyes scanning for a particular face.
"Lookin' for me?" Cal asked placing a small side plate with chocolate cake on it in front of her.
Gillian looked at the cake then up at Cal as he took a seat next to her. "Bless you," she picked up the fork, excited about the prospect of chocolate.
"So, are we at the point where we can make a discrete exit?"
Gillian took a forkful of cake and made an expression of ecstasy.
"I've seen that expression before," Cal quipped.
Gillian almost choked on her mouthful. "Cal!" She admonished in a sharp tone, embarrassed. Her cheeks immediately flushed hot. Her forehead creased and she looked around surreptitiously to see if anyone was close enough to hear that. "Don't start."
Cal watched her intently, amused. "I was just sayin' I recognise that expression." He could picture it now; instant recall and he was reminded of the fact again that she wasn't wearing a bra, probably had on a g-string and he couldn't wait to get her home to see what was really underneath that dress.
"Well don't," Gillian told him off again sternly but her face quickly relaxed into a broad smile. Cal grinned in return. Now they were both thinking about the same thing. "Have you talked to Zoe yet?" Gillian asked taking another forkful of cake.
Cal watched her put the dessert in her mouth, taking particular note of how her lips moved. "Nope."
"Why not?"
"I don't want to."
"You have to."
"Nah, I don't."
"Yes you do. She's the mother of your child. It's rude to be at the same event as her without saying hello."
"I don't remember readin' that in the etiquette handbook."
"I'm surprised you read the book at all."
Cal grinned again. "I believe I got through the first page before thinkin' it was a load of bollocks and tossin' it away."
Gillian patted his arm encouragingly. "I'm very proud of you though. You haven't managed to cause a scene yet."
"When have I eva done that?"
"Mm, last year at this very event and the Mayor's ball later in the same year. Then there was the reception for…"
"That guy had it comin'…" Cal interrupted pointing his finger.
"He was antagonising you because you reacted in the first place."
"Wanted me to perform like I was a dancin' monkey."
"You shouldn't have risen to the challenge."
"It's not my fault I didn't know his wife was standin' next to him and didn't know about the secretary," Cal continued.
Gillian gave him a very unimpressed expression. "It's called subtlety. You could have pointed out that he lied to his boss about finishing the report he was supposed to have filed that afternoon but no, you choose to make a scene. You like to push people's buttons. That's your thing."
Cal gave the expression that said he was no longer listening because he didn't respond.
"Do you want me to hold your hand?" Gillian asked focusing on the cake.
"What?" Cal asked surprised and confused.
"When you talk to Zoe."
"Nah, I don't need you to hold my hand."
"Then go do it. And we can leave."
"Promise?"
"Yes, I promise. I've had cake and wine and talked to the important people." She looked around the room to make sure she hadn't missed someone. "You need to talk to Zoe and then we can go, having achieved all of our objectives," Gillian looked him in the eye.
"All right," Cal sighed. "Come and rescue me with some sort of emergency or somethin' in two minutes."
"Ten minutes."
"Five."
"Ok, five minutes."
"Startin' now."
"Starting from when you say hello."
Cal got up and walked away. Zoe was standing with Roger in a sleek dark green dress. Roger departed as Cal approached. He gave Zoe the once over as he got close which didn't go unnoticed by her. She looked pretty amazing, had a slim figure and a permanent tan; her eyes were a deep chocolate brown.
"I heard you were here," Zoe commented by way of greeting. "Although you're being unusually quiet."
"I'm on my best behaviour."
"Oh really?" Zoe responded with a raised eyebrow.
"Was that Roger?" Cal changed the subject breezily, as if he didn't quite recognise her husband.
"Yes."
"That's right," Cal watched Roger walk across the room to the bathrooms. "Tall."
"I like him," Zoe commented.
"Congratulations on makin' it official by the way. Sorry I couldn't make it."
"I'm sure whatever you were doing that day was very important," Zoe quipped humourlessly. She watched him for a moment. "So did you bring a date? Or did you come stag again this year?"
"Nope," Cal answered either question casually, particularly ignoring the dig at his previous single status. Or the bigger dig at Gillian, because last year they had come together as well, albeit as business partners only. But what did Zoe know about it now?
"Emily said you've been seeing someone. Or, at least, that you were," she gave him a patronisingly sad expression while she fished for information.
"Yeah," Cal agreed, again trying to answer either or neither of her questions. So not even Emily had mentioned Cal was now dating Gillian.
"You should have brought her."
"I did," Cal answered and looked at her with a mischievous expression.
"I thought you came with Gillian," Zoe said with a hint of distaste.
"I did."
Zoe watched him for a moment confused, and then realisation hit her. "You're sleeping with Gillian?" She hissed.
"It's a bit more than that."
"Cal, that's low even for you. She's married."
"Actually she's divorced. It's official now."
"Unbelievable," Zoe glanced away; her face showing annoyance.
"Are you jealous?" Cal accused pleased, because he knew she was.
"No," Zoe scoffed.
Cal just stared smugly. "You're married rememba? You've already moved on. So have I."
"So it's about getting over me?"
"So I was thinkin' we could all have Christmas togetha this year. Now that we're one big happy family. We can get drunk and reminisce about the past or whateva. You know, the usual family stuff…"
Zoe was about to retaliate when Gillian stepped in to the conversation, leaving Zoe standing with her mouth open looking highly agitated. Gillian glanced at her, then at Cal and said hello. When neither of them responded she turned to Cal. "What did you do?"
"Why am I gettin' accused?"
"Because nine times out of ten it's you that's causing the tension."
"I was just askin' Zoe what her plans for Christmas were."
Gillian looked mildly surprised at the subject, suspecting and expecting something a lot less innocent than that.
"And Cal was telling me how you two are an item now," Zoe added, giving Cal a triumphant expression. He stared at her unblinkingly.
Gillian however, was shocked. "You told her that?" She asked, feeling her cheeks warm suddenly.
"Just slipped out," Cal responded not looking at her. "That all right luv?"
"Sure," Gillian agreed. "That's great." She gave Cal's arm a squeeze. "I'm ready to leave now," she announced a beat later. She gave Zoe a forced smile, squeezed Cal's arm again and walked away.
"That's my cue," Cal told Zoe.
"I always knew you had a thing for her."
"Actually, it's a recent thing," Cal corrected. "It's nice to see you. You look good," he added while backing up.
As he walked away Roger approached. "All right Roger?" Cal greeted him with an extended hand. "Good to see you again."
Roger spluttered an unintelligible response, clearly unaware that Cal was at the event. Cal walked away as Zoe stepped up to them. He heard Roger ask what Cal was doing there which made him smile. She had obviously been avoiding him for most of the night too.
Gillian was putting her coat on when Cal caught up with her. She handed him his and walked outside. Cal hurried after her. He handed the valet the ticket for his Toyota and then put his coat on. "So are you talkin' to me?"
"Did you have to tell her tonight?" Gillian turned on him. She was annoyed but not angry with him. "I mean, here, tonight," she clarified.
Cal thought about his answer and then just didn't say anything.
"You realise that everyone in that room is going to know within half an hour?" Gillian pointed out. Which meant it would get around the city and by Monday everyone would know. Everyone. Their company would know.
"Did you see Roger was there?"
"Oh Cal," Gillian sighed. "At some point you're going to have to let her go. Otherwise you'll never move on and you'll never let anyone get close to you. And if you're hanging on to your ex it's a death knell for other relationships."
"You mean our relationship?"
Gillian responded with a disparaging expression but Cal didn't seem fazed. The car pulled up. Cal tipped the valet and joined Gillian inside. He glanced at her before pulling away but she was looking out of the passenger window.
"If Alec was involved, would it be a different story?" Cal asked while he drove slowly away.
Gillian thought for a moment, then sighed. "I don't know." She paused. "I guess it's all more complicated than I thought."
"I did warn you she was gonna be there."
"Yes I remember. It's not her I worry about. It's you. I can't take you anywhere," she admonished lightly. Cal gave her his impish grin. "Don't think you can turn on the charm and I'll just forgive you."
Cal's grin widened. Gillian couldn't help but smile so she went back to looking out of the window. Maybe if Alec had been there she would have wanted to gloat that she had someone new too.
Even later that evening Gillian cuddled up with Cal in his bed. He was leaning against the pillows bare-chested while Gillian lay on her side against him, her head resting on his chest, her eyes were closed and her arm rested across his torso in a hug. Cal stroked her hair gently, absently. It was really very soft. One lamp was on beside the bed and they were covered only by a light sheet.
"Gill, are you awake?" Cal asked softly.
"Mm hmm," she responded.
"I think we should go about tellin' people now."
Gillian shifted so she could look at him. "About us?"
"Yeah."
Gillian watched him for a moment. "Is that because half of Washington already knows after tonight?"
Cal didn't respond.
"Are you sure that's what you want to do?" Gillian continued.
"Are you all right with that?"
Gillian thought for a second. "Yeah."
Cal watched her answer carefully. "You're really all right with that?"
"Yes," Gillian answered honestly.
"Do you know what I love about you?"
"What's that?"
"You constantly surprise me."
Gillian looked amused. "What were you expecting me to say?"
"I'm not sure. An argument about our professional lives or somethin'."
"That was your argument remember?"
"Yeah. I rememba."
"And you want to go back on that?"
"I don't want us to be a secret anymore."
"I agree."
"Thought you might."
Gillian gave him a slow smile.
"What?" Cal asked intrigued.
"Your choice of words."
"What's that?" Cal asked displaying confusion.
Gillian saw through him though. "What you 'love about me'."
"That wasn't a Freudian slip. It's a common phrase."
"It's ok Cal. I know you love me," Gillian cut him off. "I've known for awhile." Cal opened his mouth to object. "You can't lie to me," Gillian pointed out to him.
"You can't lie to me. You love me too," Cal countered.
"I know," Gillian responded readily with a smile and a warmth in her eyes. It was a truth she had started to suspect for a while but even now, admitting it to him, made her stomach flutter a little. And he was telling her he loved her too. The night had turned out to be pretty good after all.
Cal watched her for a moment a little stunned that she admitted it so easily. "Just like that, we're suddenly in love with each otha?"
Gillian gave him an amused smile. Her eyes flashed. "I don't know about being 'in love'. That's a little high school for my tastes." She paused, there was something in the way he was watching her. "Are you afraid?"
"I just neva thought I'd love someone else," Cal admitted.
"I thought the same thing after Alec and I separated. I thought he was my only chance."
"Then is this complete madness?"
"They say we don't choose who we fall in love with."
"Who says that?"
"People say that."
"Which people?"
"I don't know," Gillian responded with slight annoyance. "It's just a saying."
"I've always cared about you," Cal revealed. "From the moment we met."
"I know."
"And you're completely right about Zoe. It's an old habit pickin' a fight with her. And I need to let it go."
"I know," Gillian repeated in a softer tone, shifting her head again so it was back to resting against his chest.
Cal allowed himself a wry smile. "You looked amazin' tonight by the way."
"Thank you," Gillian responded lightly. "So did you."
Cal grinned to himself. She looked better out of the clothes. And he was right about the thong.