“I should hope not,” I say cheerfully.“You look like you could use a drink after all that running around.Can I buy you something?A nice cold beer perhaps?You look a little...warm.”
His eyes narrow dangerously, but before he can respond, Marina appears at my elbow with that polished smile of hers.
“Caleb?”Her voice changes completely, shock rippling across her features.“What are you doing here?”
I watch as both their expressions shift into something uncomfortable.Caleb goes completely still, like a deer caught in headlights, and Marina’s perfect composure cracks entirely.
“Marina,” he says, and I can hear the resignation in his voice.“Hi.”
“I can’t believe it,” she breathes, her hand flying to her throat.“I had no idea—When I was setting up the meeting with Thalvyn Maritime, I never thought...”She trails off, clearly flustered.
The air between them suddenly feels charged with history, and I’m standing there like a third wheel, watching this awkward reunion unfold.
“Small world,” Caleb says stiffly.
“Very small,” Marina agrees, and there’s something raw in her voice that suggests their history didn’t end well.
I clear my throat loudly.“So you two know each other?”
They both turn to me, and I can see Caleb calculating how much to reveal.
“We dated,” Marina says simply, and I feel my stomach tighten.“A few years ago.”
“Right,” I say, forcing a bright smile.“Well, isn’t this cozy.Still think that drink is a good idea?”
Caleb looks between Marina and me, clearly wishing he could be anywhere else.“Actually, I should probably head back to the office.”
“Oh, don’t leave on my account,” Marina says quickly, her professional mask sliding back into place.“It’s ancient history.”
The tension is so thick, I could cut it with a knife.I find myself studying Marina’s face, looking for any sign of lingering feelings, and hating myself for caring.
“Well,” I say finally, “this has been...educational.Marina, thank you for the meeting.Everything looks perfect for the launch.”
“Of course,” she replies, still looking slightly rattled.“If you need anything else, just call.”
As we walk toward the exit, I can feel the weight of unfinished business hanging between Caleb and Marina like a storm cloud.
“So,” I say once we’re outside, unable to keep the edge out of my voice, “ex-girlfriend, huh?That must have been awkward for you.”
Caleb stops walking and runs a hand through his disheveled hair, muttering under his breath.“You know what?I’m going to take you up on that drink offer.”
Before I can process what he means, his hand wraps around my wrist, and he’s pulling me down the street.
“What are you doing?”I demand, trying to tug free, but his grip is firm.
“Getting drunk,” he says grimly, his pace quick and determined.“And you’re buying, since this whole clusterfuck is your fault.”
“My fault?How is running into your ex-girlfriend my fault?”
“You locked me in that conference room,” he says, spotting a dive bar across the street and steering us toward it.“If I’d been at the meeting from the start, I could have handled the Marina situation professionally instead of bursting in like some kind of lunatic.”
The bar he drags me into is the complete opposite of the yacht club—yellow-tinged lighting, floors that hint at decades of spilled drinks, and patrons who look like they’ve found their second home.It carries the distinctive aroma of old wood and lived-in authenticity.
“Two whiskeys,” Caleb tells the bartender, finally releasing my wrist.“Make them doubles.”
“I don’t drink whiskey,” I protest.
“You do today.”He slides onto a barstool and finally looks at me, his blue eyes stormy.“You wanted to buy me a drink, Princess.Here’s your chance.”
