“She’s the greatest,” Malia says.
“She is,” I agree. I tug Malia closer to me. “Want to go for a walk?” I suggest. There are paths, giant oaks, and manicured flower beds surrounding this building and the building where the wedding was held. The venue rests on a five-acre park.
“I do,” she says.
I slip my arm around her waist, and we start making our way to one of the side doors.
Until Law’s mom, Senator Card, intercepts us. “Malia Lang,” she says in a sweet voice, reaching out to take Malia’s hand and shake it. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to get a word with you all day.”
Malia’s demeanor shifts into professional. I don’t see this side of her often. Even as our team’s leader inShadow Heroes, her command is congenial and friendly. “Senator Card?” Her voice lifts in polite question. I can picture her using this voice with her supervisor at work.
“My staff has been trying to schedule a lunch with you this week while I was in town. I’d love to get your take on the new data privacy law working its way through Congress,” the senator says. “You’re a difficult woman to get a meeting with.”
Malia glances at me, apprehension in her tight smile. Because of Senator Card? I’m trying hard to put together the information on Malia this moment is giving me and find something that makes sense, but my thoughts feel jumbled suddenly. Malia doesn’t often give details about her job. It’s possible Vire has government contracts that she works on—but wouldn’t the senator want a meeting with her supervisors to get higher-level input for laws that involve tech?
“Things have been busy,” Malia says apologetically, but there’s no demurring to Senator Card in her tone. She’s speaking to her like she’s Senator Card’s equal, not a woman who’s more powerful than her, which is, well, really attractive. I don’t have the best opinions of Senator Card anyway, given that she thought Law shouldn’t be dating my sister because of her criminal ex, so seeing that Malia isn’t intimidated because of the senator’s position is satisfying.
Senator Card lays a hand on Malia’s arm, leaning in close like they’re friends. The way Law talks about his mom, her views on their family’s political dynasty, and the way she had to fight for her position when she took over for her late husband makes me think she’d take exception to Malia not pandering to her. But she’s not. In fact, the charm in her expression makes me thinkshe’spandering toMalia.
“I want diverse leadership voices weighing in on this,” Senator Card says. “You’re one of a handful of female CEOs in the tech sphere. Just give me a few minutes right now. It’s important to me to hear what you have to say.”
Female CEO.
Malia runs Vire Gaming.
I invited her to this wedding to escape my matchmaking mother setting me up with someone just like her.
Suddenly, nothing makes sense.
Malia squeezes my side where her hand is resting, even though she’s turned to Senator Card. “Caleb and I were just about to get some air.” She pulls out her phone. “But let’s get coffee in the mo?—”
“Go ahead,” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t sound as choked as my thoughts feel. “I’ll check in with Jenna and see if she needs help, and we’ll go on the walk after that.”
Worry is clear in Malia’s eyes as she turns to me. “Are you sure?”
“It’s fine.” I smile wide—too wide. Logically, I know it’s stupid that I’m letting this trip me up. Malia is brilliant, kind, confident, thoughtful, beautiful, and everything I want. It shouldn’t matter that she’s also everything my mom wants for me.
And yet, I can’t shake this unmooring.
I lean in and kiss her cheek. Dutiful boyfriend and all that. “I’ll come find you in a little bit.”
“Okay …” She smiles at me, but it’s full of hesitation. Malia has been reading me by just my voice and my texts for months. Now she has the data for my expressions and body language. She’s obviously a brilliant engineer. She’s running a company. It can’t be hard to decode that I’m spiraling over this.
I nod at Senator Card and escape.
The problem is, why am I escaping?
CHAPTER 14
CALEB
The person I wish I could spend the next ten minutes talking this through with is Carlie, but she’s on the dance floor, enjoying her reception with her new husband. So instead I decide that even without Malia, I do need some fresh air.
I slip through a side door of the restaurant and onto one of the garden paths. The air is cooler than inside, and even just the first breath of it makes my heart slow down.
It doesn’t matter that Malia is the CEO of Vire, I tell myself. I just told Grandma she could be the one. And I meant it.
I didn’t know she was CEO, so it doesn’t mean that I subconsciously picked someone because somewhere deep down I think Mom is right about what I need. It hasn’t changed anything. Itshouldn’tchange anything.
