Natalie laughs.“Well, Caleb is very likeable.When did you guys start seeing each other though?As in, what happened?”
“Ah,” Eve seems to realize the question is aimed at her, and she takes a few minutes to herself.“Caleb helped me home the other day, and we just got to talking and realized our feud was a little childish.So we decided to get to know each other properly.”
I’m surprised by her clear answer.
“That’s smart.You’re an asset to the company.I would hate for my brother to drive you away,” Ethan murmurs.
I scowl.“Why would I drive her away?How would I do that?”
Ethan just raises a brow and sips his wine.“You’re notorious for being a troublemaker, Caleb.I would not have been happy if Eve had been at the receiving end of one of your pranks.”
Eve and I go still.Ethan’s just watching me calmly.
What does he know?How would he know?If he’d known, he would have said something.
“I’m not a kid,” I mutter, guiltily.“I wouldn’t do something like that.”
Ethan’s eyes turn to Eve who looks at him blankly.“Pranks?Caleb?That’s just not like him.”
I nearly choke at how steady her voice is as she lies to my brother.She could easily have thrown me under the bus.
Ethan smiles slightly and murmurs, “I see.”
As the conversation moves on, I see Eve begin to relax.Ethan discusses something business related, but I’m barely paying attention.I can’t stop myself from stealing glances at Eve throughout dinner.The way she laughs at something Natalie says, how she tucks her hair behind her ear when she's thinking, the subtle shift in her posture when she leans closer to me.When did I start memorizing these things?
By the time dinner ends and we’re heading to the parking lot, Ethan lingers behind.“You should bring her to see Mom and Dad.They’ll like her.”I open my mouth to say something, but he’s already striding towards Natalie as the valet brings the car around.
As soon as we’re in my car and pulling out onto the road, I spot Luis’s vehicle idling behind us.
“He’s still there,” Eve whispers.
“I know.”I start the engine.“I’ll walk you to your door.”
The drive to her apartment feels longer than it should.Luis follows the whole way, not even trying to hide it anymore.The boldness of it makes my blood run cold.
I park and walk with Eve to her building.Luis has turned off his car lights, but he is still there.Backing Eve against the door, I hear her gasp, and I murmur, “Stay still.”My hand cups her face, thumb brushing her cheekbone, and she makes this small sound in the back of her throat that drives me mad.Her hands fist in my shirt, pulling me closer.I can feel her heart racing under my palm as I slide my hand to her waist.
“Caleb,” she breathes against my lips.
“Ssh, he’s watching,” I whisper.Her body stiffens, and then she winds her hand in my hair pulling me closer.Our kiss is a performance, but it doesn’t seem that way.My pants are uncomfortable as I pull away, and I whisper, “Fuck it.I’m coming inside.”
Her laughter is breathy.“You’re so easy.”
“You won’t be laughing when I’m having my way with you.”
My threat has her chuckling.“If you say so.”She turns around and opens the building door.Luis is all but forgotten as we make her way to her apartment.
I’ll worry about him later.
* * *
As the launch grows closer,every day brings new deadlines, emergency meetings, and the kind of stress that makes everyone’s shoulders permanently hunched.The Serastra campaign is consuming our lives.Twelve-hour days have become the norm, and the marketing floor after sunset looks like a disaster zone of coffee cups, takeout containers, and people who’ve forgotten what sunlight feels like.
But there’s one benefit to this madness that I’m not complaining about.
Eve and I have fallen into a routine.We’re usually the last ones to leave—sometimes by choice, sometimes because the work literally won’t let us go.Most nights, we don’t finish until close to ten, and I’ve gotten into the habit of dropping her home and then just staying over.It started as practical—I’m too tired to drive back to my place, and her apartment is closer to the office anyway.But if I’m being honest, leaving her after we’ve spent the entire day together feels wrong somehow.
Tonight’s different, though.For once, we’re actually ahead of schedule.
