CHAPTER TWELVE
CALLIE
It was still darkwhen my alarm went off.Winter in Ohio was brutal.I groaned.The merciless pounding in my head reminded me of last night’s festivities.Even free champagne had a downside.With a heavy sigh, I rolled over and slapped at the phone on my nightstand to snooze the alarm.
My mind kept replaying the events of the previous evening: dancing with Emmett, his hands on my waist, the way his blue eyes seemed to see right through me.And then that kiss—unexpected, electric, setting every nerve ending on fire.Then I’d panicked.I’d fled from him, from the intensity of it all.
The room spun as I sat up, and realized I was still wearing Emmett’s jacket.The soft fabric held his scent, a mix of cologne and something uniquely him.My stomach fluttered.In the aftermath of the kiss, I had completely forgotten about Marco.He hadn’t even crossed my mind until now.Guilt twinged.
“Marco!”No response.I called his name again.
He had always been my rock, my steadfast friend through thick and thin.And I went and abandoned him at an eventIinvited him to.
I fumbled for my phone again, its screen a blinding beacon in the still-dark morning.Emmett’s name caught my eye.An unread message stared at me accusingly.I swiped the notification away, not quite ready to face him in the aftermath of my cowardice.I was preparing to call Marco when the sound of a key turning in the front door cut through the silence of the apartment.
Marco’s footsteps resonated along the hallway, a familiar cadence that usually brought a comforting sense of normalcy.Today, it just reminded me of the mess was in.I heard the clink of his keys hitting the table and the soft thud of shoes being discarded.
“Callie?”He peeked around my bedroom door, hair tousled and eyes bleary.
“Hey,” I managed, smiling wanly.“You’re back.”
“Yeah, sorry about bailing last night.”He rubbed the back of his neck.“Met up with a friend after you...you know, vanished with Mr.Moneybags.”
I winced.The nickname was a reminder of the barriers between Emmett and me.But Marco didn’t need to know about the kiss or what happened after.How was I going to navigate this?My job, my career—it was all precariously balanced.A relationship with the boss was a complication I couldn’t afford.
“Hope you had fun,” I said, trying to keep my tone light.I was relieved Marco hadn’t been alone because of me.
“Fun’s one word for it,” he replied with a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Good.That’s good,” I said, rubbing my temples in an attempt to smooth away the pounding headache.He disappeared to his room, leaving me feeling both relieved and uneasy.Marco was okay.But what about Emmett?And me?
I flopped back onto my pillow, staring up at the ceiling.Last night’s decisions loomed over me like a dark cloud until I finally forced myself out of bed.I groaned and shouted to Marco, my voice gritty with sleep.“Need coffee!”
“On it,” he called back, his voice trailing from the kitchen.
I also needed a shower and maybe a miracle to get through the day.I’d have to face Emmett at some point, but, for now, I clung to the solace of routine.Shower.Dress.Pretend everything is normal.
“Work awaits,” I said, stumbling past the kitchen toward the bathroom.The hot water pelted against my skin, and, for a moment, I closed my eyes and let the comforting warmth envelop me.When I exited the shower, a steaming cup of coffee waited on the vanity, but Marco was nowhere to be found.
With each step of my morning ritual, I tried to shake off the haze of confusion and desire.It wasn’t just Emmet’s status or the fact that he was my boss.It was the fear of being vulnerable, of letting someone in again after everything with Hugh.But, despite my reservations, part of me yearned to feel his touch again, to lose myself in him.
After dressing in a pencil skirt and a crisp white blouse that screamed professionalism and poise—two things I desperately needed—I checked my phone again.Another text, this time from Meghan.
MEGHAN
Breakfast before work?My treat!Emmett’s cool with it.
I frowned.Meghan was sweet, but her timing sucked.Before I could reply, another message from Emmett popped up.
EMMETT
Enjoy breakfast.Don’t worry about coming in late, even though I know you will, anyway.
His casual tone and flirty emoji did little to ease the butterflies in my stomach.Did he send messages like this to everyone, or was there something more?
When I stepped outside the building’s front doors, the city air was sharp and cold.I clutched my purse under my arm and set off at a brisk pace.Meghan had chosen a spot halfway across town.Despite Emmett’s laissez-faire text, the thought of being reprimanded by any of the higher-ups nagged at me.
Get it together, Callie.It’s just breakfast.
