A free ride home couldn’t hurt. I stood up too quickly, the world tilting beneath me, and before I could correct myself, I was falling—straight into him.
His hands caught me instantly.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concern flashing across his face. “I was joking about you not being able to walk.”
His touch sent my pulse skidding.
“Yes,” I said, wriggling free, heat flooding my cheeks. “I’m fine. Thanks.”
We got back into the car, and after a minute, he cleared his throat. “Funny story,” he said. “I’ve been invited to a friend’s housewarming, and we actually go past there on the way to your place. This guy and I… well, it’s complicated. We’ve been in and out of touch, and I’m not sure how well it’s going to go.” He glanced across to gauge my reaction. “If it’s okay with you, we could do a flying visit, and if things are weird, I could say I needed to drop you home. What do you think?”
“And if it’s not awkward?”
“I can still drop you home,” he said. “Or you could stay for lunch. Up to you.”
“I don’t know these people,” I said, immediately suspicious. His friends were probably just like him—privileged, smug, effortlessly comfortable. I racked my brain for an excuse but couldn’t think of anything plausible given the escape clause he’d already provided.
“The Millers make the best pork chops and beef ribs.”
Pork chops.I sighed. Against my better judgment, I agreed.
“Greg’s been my best friend since we were twelve,” Caleb said. “He’s a lawyer now. Beth’s a gynecologist. They have a daughter, Emily. Two or three, I think.”
“You two sound tight.”
He laughed. “They just bought a five-bedroom place. Don’t be surprised if Beth announces more kids.”
At my insistence, we stopped at the mall, and I put together a housewarming gift from Crate & Barrel. While he drove, I checked my phone.
Five missed calls. Eight WhatsApp messages.
“So how much do I owe you?” he asked, reaching for his wallet.
“I’ve got it,” I said. “You paid for the driver last night.”
“I’m sorry about that,” he said. “I shouldn’t have let you keep going, but I wanted to hear what Taylor would say.”
I looked out the window, smiling despite myself. It stung less today. Mostly, I’d been embarrassed. Not because of him—but because of Sarah. Gushing over his car in front of his date. Even if shewasn’treally his girlfriend. Not that it mattered.
Just as we pulled up to the Millers’ house, my stomach dropped.
My bracelet.The one Harper had given me on our three-month anniversary.It wasn’t on my wrist.It must’ve fallen off at the harbour.
Damn it!
14
CALEB
Standing together by the barbecue, Greg handed me a beer and said, “Man, she must really have her hooks in you.”
I took a step back, genuinely thrown. “What are you talking about?”
“Dude, Nyah. Beth said it had to be a woman, but?—”
“Wait,” I cut in. “What had to be a woman?”
He punched my shoulder lightly, grinning. “The new you, man. And I approve, by the way, of the change and the woman who brought it on.”
