Page 47 of All The Ways to Miss You

Cait

Be ready at noon. I’ll take you to lunch. We can talk—hypothetically.

My lunch with Ozzy redirects my focus. Closing the lease deal with James will move me closer to purchasing my new home. When I imagine restoring the house, my pulse races with excitement. I’m better without distractions, which with my new resolve means all men are off-limits. This is a good plan. I only need me.

Linden appears at my office door with a large bouquet of pink peonies. He enters and rests the vase on the edge of my desk.

“How did you know they were my favorite?” I say, knowing full well they aren’t from him, but the joke makes him cross his arms.

“Care to explain the numerous gifts flowing through this office?”

My lips draw tight, and I stand to meet his questioning gaze. I was hoping he was too busy to notice the flowers, the gift baskets of sweets, or the boxes of Blush bath bombs James sends every few days. He’s kept his promise to dazzle me, while I’ve kept my promise to keep our relationship all business.

“It’s not what you think.” I grip the side of my desk.

Linden snatches the gift card and waves the envelope in the air. “Then you won’t mind if I read this?” His brows rise.

I hustle to circle the desk. “All right, it’s what you think. It’s James Henley.”

“James Henley?” His face transforms with a genuine expression of shock.

“Who—”

He cuts me off, his voice stern. “Cait, I’m giving you one warning. Close this deal and you can date whoever the hell you want on Lakeman’s staff, but not one second sooner.”

“I promise we’re on the same page.” I lace my hands at my stomach and squeeze my fingers tight.

“Good.” He scrutinizes me with a head tilt, perhaps deciding if I’m telling the truth, but he gives up and storms out of the office. His response is what I expected, which is why I wasn’t broadcasting James’s advances. A soured romantic relationship could kill a deal. In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve seen leasing agreements fall through over much less.

This time, I don’t call James to thank him for the flowers. He knows where I stand. Though the last time we spoke for business, he never even mentioned a date. He hasn’t pressed beyond sending gifts. For the most part, he’s respected my original answer.

I throw myself into work, focusing on my renewed goals. My week is hectic, filled with late hours, networking events, and showing properties.

By the weekend, I’m ready for a long run. I’m twelve miles into it when I spot Evan and his companion. They’re chatting beside the Lake Shore bike trail on a patch of grass near a small group of people.

Right before I alter my run to head in the opposite direction, Evan catches sight of me. He waves. I sink inside and reluctantly wave back. My first inclination is to pass right by him, but that would prove him right—that I can’t handle a one-night stand with him. Even if it’s true, he doesn’t need to know.

“Hey,” he says as I near.

“Hey.”

“Did I introduce you to Shelby?” He gestures to the girl, the one from last weekend, the one who kissed him on the cheek and ate his cold spaghetti. I stiffen as she steps up beside him.

Up close, she’s as perfect as I remember. Skin smooth. Toned body. She exudes the confidence I wish I had at all times.

My blood boils with jealousy. I rub my arm to quell the feeling.

She waves at me. “Nice to meet you. You must be Cait. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I flinch. “You have?”

Evan nudges her shoulder as if to say shut up.

“My bad, I guess I wasn’t supposed to say that.” She shoots Evan a mischievous expression.

“Go. Class. Now.” He directs her with playful anger.

She tries to pinch his arm before leaving, but he leans just out of reach. Once she’s gone, he composes himself and his hands settle relaxed on his hips.