A Rare Gift by Jaci Burton

best.”
    “You didn’t always think so,” Ethan said, sliding his arm around her waist.
    She leaned her head against Ethan’s shoulder. “I’m reformed now. I might have to be on the road a lot, but there’s nothing better than coming home.”
    Calliope grinned. Ethan and Riley had gone through a lot to be together. Seeing them so happy together now gave her hope.
    “Calliope,” Stacy Kent said, taking her hands. “It’s so wonderful to see you here.”
    “Thank you, Stacy. It’s nice to be here.”
    Stacy looped her arm in Calliope’s after Ethan and Riley moved off. “Can I say thank you?”
    “Why?”
    “For giving life back to my son. He hasn’t had much of one since the divorce. Until you.”
    Calliope smiled. “Can I tell you a secret?”
    “Of course.”
    “I’m head over heels in love with your son.”
    Stacy hugged her. “He’s very lucky to have someone like you.”
    Obviously Wyatt’s mom had no problem with her being Cassie’s sister. That was one Kent in her corner, at least. Her fingers were crossed this was going to work out.
    She’d made a calculated decision. A tough one. One that might blow up in her face and cost her the man she’d fallen madly, hopelessly, irrevocably in love with.
    But she didn’t see any way around it, because this needed to be done. Not only for Wyatt and her, but for her sister, whom she loved.
    It was time to bury the past, forgive the sins and move on.
    She just had to get Wyatt on board.
    The evening passed with little fanfare. There was food, drinks were plentiful and Wyatt seemed to be having a great time. He wasn’t drinking a lot—mostly water, so that was good. She didn’t need him drunk and difficult to deal with. This night was going to be tough enough as it was.
    She pulled her phone out, judging the time. She wandered around the party, saw Tori and Brody in a dark corner engaged in a heated discussion. Tori’s hands were flailing like they always did when she was pissed off. Brody towered over her, his voice raised. Calliope wondered if she should go over and intercede, see if Tori needed any help, but then Brody jerked Tori into his arms and planted one seriously hot kiss on her.
    Uh. Wow. That was some kiss. Tori didn’t seem to be fighting it either. In fact, she grabbed the lapels of Brody’s jacket and tugged him closer. Calliope pivoted and walked the other way, her lips lifting in a wide smile.
    Go, Tori.
    Intending to find her own hot kisser, she searched the crowd, found Wyatt engaged in conversation with a few of his clients. She slid her arm through his. He looked down and grinned at her, then excused himself from the conversation.
    He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, making her entire body swirl with warmth and emotion. A little over a month ago he wouldn’t have even wanted to be seen with her. Now he was kissing her in public. Not only in public, but surrounded by his family and friends.
    That was some serious progress.
    “People are watching us, you know.”
    He brushed his lips across hers again. “Don’t care. Let them watch. You’re mine and I want everyone to know it.”
    Her stomach tightened. She didn’t want to lose Wyatt over this. “I like being yours.”
    “Let’s dance.”
    He dragged her out on the dance floor and pulled her into his arms. The music was slow and his body was all muscle. They fit together perfectly.
    Other couples were out there, but Calliope didn’t notice. All she saw was Wyatt, the way he looked at her, as if she was the only woman in the world for him.
    She wanted to be the only woman in the world for him. That’s why she was doing this tonight.
    It was now or never. “I hope you don’t mind, but I have a surprise for you later.”
    His brows lifted. “I hope it has something to do with you and me finding a private room somewhere so I can see what you’re wearing under that dress.”
    She let out a soft laugh. “Yes, there’s that, too. But there’s another surprise.