“Callie,” I said, trying to sound casual despite my racing heart.
She looked up, startled.“Emmett, good morning.What can I help you with?”Too formal.Too serious.
I approached her cubicle.“Actually, I was hoping we could talk,” I said, aware of the curious glances from our coworkers.
On her first day here, I promised I wouldn’t let myself get distracted by thisthingI felt for her.But here I was, drawing unnecessary attention to the both of us.Still, after last night, I had to say something.
“Emmett, please, not here,” Callie said, a hint of panic in her wide eyes.
“Fine,” I relented.“How about lunch, then?”
“Emmett, I don’t think?—”
“Callie, please.It’s important.”
She stared at me, clearly weighing her options.“Alright, lunch it is.”
The next few hours went by interminably slowly.When lunchtime rolled around, we left the office together, unspoken tension hanging between us.As we walked to the small Italian bistro I had picked for lunch—I knew Callie loved pasta—I could tell she was nervous.Her hands fidgeted, and she kept glancing at me.
The hostess gave me an appreciative head-to-toe scan before she even noticed Callie standing next to me.Callie didn’t miss her appraisal.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her tense.
“Price,” I said.“I have a reservation for two.”
“Of course, Mr.Price.Right this way.”
The hostess showed us to our table, a booth tucked away in a quiet corner—I had given very specific instructions when I called that morning.I pulled out Callie’s chair before taking my own.
As we sat across from each other, the scent of garlic and freshly baked bread filling the air, I struggled to find the right words.She fiddled with her napkin, looking more vulnerable than I had ever seen her.
“Callie, I saw you last night with Hugh,” I said, unable to contain myself any longer.
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed.“You did?”
“Yes.And, well, I just need to know...why?”
“Emmett.”She sighed, her gaze falling to the table.“It’s really none of your business.”
My simmering jealousy boiled over.“Really?That’s what you’re going with?It’s none of my business?”
“Yes.”
“And what if I want it to be my business?”
Her head snapped up.
“Why him, Callie?After everything that’s happened between us?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me,” I said, my voice tight with frustration.
She hesitated for a moment before speaking.“Hugh and I, we get together sometimes to…blow off some steam.”Her eyebrows lifted, hoping I would interpret what she wasn’t outright saying.She wasn’t getting off that easy.
“So…what?You guys go to the driving range and hit some balls?”
She snorted and rolled her eyes.“Yeah, Emmett, that’s exactly it.”
“Roll your eyes at me again, and I will bend you over this table and fuck you right here since you apparently need to ‘blow off some steam’ so badly.”
