I blink at the sudden change in topic.“A kitten?When?”
“Yeah.Maybe last week, or the week before that?I don’t remember.”He runs a hand through his hair, and I can’t help but notice how good he looks in his sky blue shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, his tie loose at the collar.The black slacks fit him perfectly, and his sunglasses are pushed up into his hair.“They’re looking after it now.Ethan’s been sleep deprived for the past week, which makes him even more cranky than usual.”
I frown.“What about Natalie?She needs her rest.”
“She’s fine.Ethan’s handling most of it.”
“How old is the kitten?”
Caleb shrugs.“No idea.Can’t be more than a month old.More or less?I’m not exactly an expert on cats.”He makes a face.“They’re feeding it milk every couple of hours.”
“Every couple of hours?”I keep my voice level, but concern edges into it.“Natalie needs her sleep.Waking up like that isn’t good for her pregnancy.”
“Relax.”His hand touches my arm, a gentle pressure that somehow grounds me.“Ethan’s got it under control.He’s the one doing the night feedings.”I want to argue, but something in his expression stops me.There’s a softness there when he talks about his brother.
“He’s smitten with Natalie,” Caleb continues, his lips curving into a smile.“He didn’t want the kitten.But she did, so now he’s making damn sure that thing stays alive.”My heart does something stupid in my chest.Something warm and fluttery and completely inconvenient.
“Next,” the barista calls, and we step forward.
“I’ll have a caramel macchiato with extra whipped cream,” Caleb says, then glances at me.I open my mouth to order, but he continues before I can speak.“And a large black coffee, no sugar.”
I blink in surprise.“How did you?—”
He winks at me.Actually winks.“I’ve memorized your order, Eve.”
My face burns.I’m in my early thirties, and I’m blushing like a teenager because this man remembered how I take my coffee.I’m so flustered I can’t even form words, just stand there feeling my cheeks burn while he looks entirely too pleased with himself.His gaze holds mine for a beat too long, and something warm unfurls in my chest.
We move to the side to wait for our drinks, and I busy myself by examining the display of coffee beans near the register.My eyes catch on a familiar label, and I do a double take.“Oh my god, they have Monterra Reserve.”
“The overpriced one you like?”Caleb leans over my shoulder to look, and I catch a hint of his cologne.Something woodsy and clean that makes me want to bury my face in his neck.
Focus, Eve.
“It’s not overpriced.It’s just...premium.”I reach for a bag, already calculating if I can justify the expense.At twenty-eight dollars a bag, it’s a splurge, but maybe for the office?It would be nice to have good coffee for once instead of the generic brand we usually stock.
Caleb’s hand covers mine, stopping me.
“What are you doing?”I ask.
“Saving you from spending too much on coffee.”He takes the bag from my hand and sets it back on the shelf.
Disappointment curls in my stomach."I wasn't going to?—”
“I already stocked the office kitchenette with it.”
I stare at him.“What?”
“Monterra Reserve.”He says it so casually, like he didn’t just tell me he bought the most expensive coffee in bulk.“Three bags.Figured that should last us a few weeks.”
“That’s…” I do the math in my head.Three bags with tax would be over ninety dollars.“Caleb, that’s a lot of money for coffee!”
He shrugs.“You like it.So I got it.”
“Why?”The question bursts out of me before I can stop it.“Why did you do that?”
He tilts his head, studying me with an expression I can’t quite read.“Why?”A slow smile spreads across his face.“I’m not allowed to spoil you?”
My face burns even hotter.I look away, unable to hold his gaze.“It’s your money,” I mutter.“Do what you want with it.”I look away, hiding the smile that threatens to break out.
