Caleb exhaled softly. “Ugh,” he said, rolling his eyes. “That was… awkward.”
“What was?” I asked, though I already knew.
“I had no idea she’d be here,” he said, turning to face me fully now. His voice lowered, gentler. “I swear. I’m sorry.”
Well, that solved the mystery of whether or not she wasthatCaroline.
Something in his expression softened the knot in my chest. “It doesn’t matter who’s here,” I said. “I’m just glad Lucas and I are.”
I drifted toward the fireplace, drawn to the warmth. The flames danced, reflecting in the mirror above the mantle. I ran my fingers along the smooth mahogany curves of the mantle clock. “I love thisroom,” I murmured. “It feels… safe.” Then, teasingly, “I bet this place was a chick magnet when you were younger.”
He came to stand beside me, close enough that I could feel his heat without touching him. We didn’t face each other—our eyes met instead in the mirror, held there.
“I don’t think I’ve ever brought anyone here,” he said quietly. “Ever.”
I turned slowly, my heart thudding louder with each inch until I was facing him. “Except me,” I whispered.
The fire warmed my skin, but it was nothing compared to the way he was looking at me. I reached up without thinking and smoothed the lapels of his jacket, my fingertips lingering.
His gaze dropped to my lips, then lifted again, as if he were giving himself a moment—just a moment—to decide.
My breath hitched.
The world narrowed to the space between us, to the soft crackle of the fire, to the way his hand hovered near my waist without touching.
I leaned closer before I could stop myself, my pulse roaring in my ears. His fingers brushed mine—barely there—but the contact sent a spark through me.
Then the door flung open.
“Sorry,” Eleanor’s voice sliced through the moment. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
I stepped back instinctively, the warmth between us cooling too fast, like a flame snuffed out.
She walked toward Caleb and linked her arm through his with practiced familiarity. Her gaze flicked over me with thinly veiled disapproval. “Darling, I wanted to introduce you to Mrs. Asher…”
She pulled him away before either of us could speak.
I stood there alone, staring into the fire, my fingers still tingling where he’d almost touched me.
The next morning,I reached across the bed and found a note with a lilyattached.
Lucas is with me. When you’re ready, come downstairs. — Caleb
I tucked it carefully into my purse. I kept all his notes in a small box back at my apartment.
After showering, I joined everyone for breakfast. When it was time to leave, I thanked each family member personally. Eleanor gave me a cold handshake and a smile that clearly meantthank God you’re leaving.
Taylor was dropping us back home, so Caleb walked Lucas and me to the car, carrying the single bag I’d arrived with.
“I’m sorry again… about the library.”
I smiled at him. “Don’t worry about it. I had a great time. You have a beautiful family. You’re very lucky.”
He sighed. “I didn’t know until recently.”
At the car, he paused. “I won’t be joining you just yet.”
I frowned.
