"You're killing me, Caleb. I'm working so hard to have a normal interaction with you and you're giving me single-word answers like I'm interviewing you for a job you don't want." I grin at him, and his mouth twitches in a ghost of a smile again.
He sits back, staring at me, and the expression he gives is almost admiration or desire. I love how he looks at me. It makes me feel wanted. "What do you want me to say?"
"Anything. Tell me something. What's one thing you're thinking about right now?"
He looks at his coffee and then back at me. "I'm thinking that you talk more before nine in the morning than most people talk all day."
"That's because most people are boring." I wink at him, and he shakes his head, but the twitch comes back and stays a beat longer this time. "See? You're almost having fun. I can feel it. You're right on the edge."
"Oh, woman, I'm not on any edge."
"There it is…" I sigh happily, knowing I've gotten him to smile at least once today. "What's on your agenda today?"
"Just a few clients to meet up with. I'm gearing up to start a private security firm. We originally thought maybe North Carolina was a good place, but Ohio's not looking too bad either." He avoids eye contact, but with the ease between us now, I can't help but wonder if he's thinking of staying in Ohio because of me. It makes me smile.
"Private security… Sounds like a good fit for an ex-serviceman."
He drains the rest of his coffee and stands up. "Yes, well I think so too… But I have to run." He drops a few bills on the table for a tip and shoves his wallet back in his pants, then pockets his phone.
"Of course you do. Right when we were making progress." When our eyes meet, there's a warmth in his expression that makes me swoon. He's so goddamn handsome.
"Have a good day, Olivia."
"Have a good day, Caleb," I say in a deep voice, imitating his serious tone, and I catch the edge of a real smile before he turnsaway. He walks to the counter and drops his cup in the bin, then pushes through the door without looking back.
Something is definitely brewing here, and it's serious enough that I might consider saying Caleb and I are dating. I really like him, and I think he really likes me.
If Derek screws this up for me, I'll hate him for the rest of my life. But whether or not he pushes this with the court, I'm not backing down. Caleb is a war hero, a great man who did amazing things for his country, which I've yet to hear about, but I know in time, he'll open up. I'm not going to let Derek intimidate me to stay away from him.
And I'm going to put an end to this nonsense with Ethan too. I won't let that bastard teach my kid to manipulate people.
14
CALEB
Iwait nearly an hour for Olivia to leave the boutique thinking she's going home for the day, but she climbs into the boutique delivery van and pulls out. I don't care where she's going. The fact that she's out of this shop as I walk in is all that's important. I need to speak with her only other close connection to confirm what I believe—that Derek is making shit up to hurt her and nothing more.
A woman behind the counter looks up when I walk in. She's mid-fifties, silver hair cut short, reading glasses pushed up on her forehead. The nameplate on the counter saysHelenand she has a warm smile as she meets my gaze.
"Can I help you?" she asks, setting down a clipboard.
"I hope so." I pull out one of the business cards I had printed when Reilly and I first started planning the firm. It lists my name and a generic security consulting title that technically doesn't exist yet, but it looks professional enough. I slide it across the counter. "My name's Caleb Ward. I live here in town, and I'm doing some preliminary security assessments for localbusinesses. Just checking in on any concerns, anything unusual, that kind of thing."
The only thing more suspicious than a random stranger nosing around a business is one who has no reason to do so. The guise of my future potential security firm is the only in-road I have for this conversation that doesn't make me look like a stalker, though it makes me feel creepy. I have to remind myself that I’m doing this for Olivia—not Derek, no matter how much he's paying me.
Helen picks up the card and scrutinizes it for a moment before dropping her glass on the counter. "Security assessments? I didn't hear about anything like that from the Chamber."
"It's independent. I'm former military and I'm building a private firm in the area. Right now, I'm just making introductions and getting a feel for the business community." I keep my tone easy and professional to put her at ease, but I hate how creepy this feels. "You had any issues lately? Break-ins, vandalism, anything that felt off?"
"Nothing like that, thank goodness." She sets the card down and smiles at me warmly, and I know I’m in. She trusts me. "We had a shoplifting incident about six months ago, but the police handled it. Other than that, it's been quiet."
"Good to hear. What about your staff? Anyone dealing with anything that might affect the workplace? Harassment, threats, anything along those lines?"
Helen tilts her head and studies me. "That's a specific question." I can see her suspicion rise, but I've rehearsed this. I have a perfect explanation.
"Just thorough." I put my hands in my pockets and wait. "Often, business owners don’t realize that workplace violence is just a trickle-over from personal domestic matters. You're working fine one second, and the next, an angry ex stalks in and starts something."
Helen sighs thoughtfully and stares out the window, pursuing her lips while she thinks. But I can tell her wheels are spinning and what she's about to tell me doesn’t please her. "We did get a couple of phone calls recently that were a little strange. They were all anonymous. Someone claiming to have concerns about one of my employees. They said she was unstable and had mental health issues. They worried that the store should be aware of the risk."
