Back Simmer Down
Chapters (31)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise for Faker
  3. TITLES BY SARAH SMITH
  4. Dedication
  5. Chapter 1
  6. Chapter 2
  7. Chapter 3
  8. Chapter 4
  9. Chapter 5
  10. Chapter 6
  11. Chapter 7
  12. Chapter 8
  13. Chapter 9
  14. Chapter 10
  15. Chapter 11
  16. Chapter 12
  17. Chapter 13
  18. Chapter 14
  19. Chapter 15
  20. Chapter 16
  21. Chapter 17
  22. Chapter 18
  23. Chapter 19
  24. Chapter 20
  25. Chapter 21
  26. Chapter 22
  27. Chapter 23
  28. Epilogue
  29. Acknowledgments
  30. About the Author
  31. What’s next onyour reading list?

I clasp my hands behind my back to ensure I won’t touch him again. “You’re with someone else, Callum. That means I shouldn’t be saying any of this to you.”

When my head droops to the ground, he guides me back to his gaze with his thumb under my chin. “What are you talking about? I’m not with anyone.”

I’m frowning so hard, the muscles in my forehead ache. “But the redhead. I saw you two together.”

“The redhead? What redhead?”

“Your redhead, Callum. Or ginger—whatever you call redheads. I—okay, listen. This is going to sound so creepy and crazy, but I drove to your condo the other day to try to work things out with you. I ran into Finn at the farmer’s market, and he told me I should go see you and tell you how I feel. So I drove to your condo, but before I could even get out of my car, I saw you walk out the door with that gorgeous woman . . .”

I stop to catch my breath. Callum’s hand falls from my face to rub his own. I can’t tell if he’s smiling or grimacing. “Oh. Her.”

“Yeah.” My reply is barely audible over the crashing waves. They’re picking up in intensity now that it’s evening.

When he lets out his next breath, he looks relieved. “Nikki, that was Rose. Our cousin. She was visiting us from Scotland.”

“Oh.” The word falls from my lips like a hiccup. “So . . . you’re not with anyone?”

“I’ve not been with anyone since you, Nikki. I don’t want anyone but you.”

“But . . . but I thought you were so hurt . . . I thought you didn’t want me—”

He grabs my hands in his again. Warmth simmers all over me. Home.

“I still wanted you, Nikki. I was just hurt. I needed time. But that didn’t mean I ever stopped loving you.”

“You still love me?”

He nods, pulling me closer by the hands. We’re nearly chest to chest now. I have to tilt my head up just to keep looking at him.

“I’ve been miserable without you. Just ask Finn.” Callum’s chest heaves with a breath. “Last night he got back from a day trip with Grace, sat me down, and asked if I finally watched Penelope’s video. I hadn’t, of course, since I had been working, volunteering, and entertaining our cousin. So he pulled out his phone and played it for me. I was speechless. He said he was sick of me being an insufferable lump and I had no reason to be sad knowing you felt the same way about me, and that I needed to find you and make things right.”

I tear up once more, but this time it’s okay because I’m smiling. “Finn said that?”

“He did.”