Page 45 of Keeping Denver

"Yeah, but I stood by along with everyone else and said nothing while that bitch accused you of stealing. So that you know, no one at the office believed what Kelly was accusing you of. Even before the truth came out."

"Though unnecessary, I appreciate you saying that, Lucas."

"And just so you know, the office is not the same without you either. Mr. Hawk isn't the same either," he adds.

A few minutes later, our food is delivered and just as I am about to dive in, my phone starts ringing. Pulling it from my pocket, I notice Callan's name lighting up the screen, and send the call to voicemail.

"Sorry," I say to Lucas, who gives me a knowing look.

Two seconds later, my phone starts ringing again. This time I cut it off and shove it back into my coat pocket. No sooner do I put my phone away is when Lucas' phone starts ringing. I close my eyes. Please don't let that be Callan.

Lucas looks down at his cell then back at me. He answers. "Hello?" I watch as Lucas listens to Callan's voice on the other end. "I'm kind of in the middle of a date, boss. Can it wait?"

Callan's booming voice carries through Lucas' cell, loud enough for the people seated near us to turn their heads in our direction. I begin to worry about Lucas getting into trouble. By the way, his shoulders start shaking as he holds back his laughter, it becomes apparent he is not the least bit concerned with his boss' tirade. "Sure thing, Mr. Hawk. I'll see you soon." He hangs up. "Looks like my boss left the Kerrigan file at the office, and I'm the only one who can bring it to him," Lucas smirks, not at all hiding his amusement.

My shoulders slump, and I rest my forehead in my hand. "I'm sorry, Lucas. He's being a jerk because of me."

"No. He's acting like a man who does whatever it takes to keep his woman away from another man," Lucas says with a bit of admiration in his voice.

"You and I are friends." I throw my hands up. "Can't he see that?"

Lucas chuckles. "Yeah. But if you ever give me an opening, Denver, I wouldn't hesitate to take it, and Callan knows that."

"What?" I squeak.

"Don't be dense, sweetheart. Sure, we're friends, but you're a sexy as fuck woman, and I'd be an idiot not to take whatever you'd be willing to offer. I'm also a man who knows when he doesn't stand a chance. I did have fun fucking with Callan, though. Even if he's going to make my life hell at the office."

"I'm…I…" Am I really being dense?

Lucas stands and tosses a few bills on the table. "Come on, sweetheart. I'll walk you out." He places his hand on the small of my back, ushering me out of the restaurant where Mitch is waiting. Again, I roll my eyes. He steps out of the driver's seat with his cell to his ear—no doubt talking to Callan. Mitch remains on the phone as he steps around to the back passenger side and opens the door for me. Lucas gets a little gleam in his eye as he leans in and places a kiss on my cheek. "We'll have to try this again some other time, sweetheart," Lucas says the words a lot louder than necessary, and I know it's meant for Callan to hear. Why must he egg him on? I step to the car. "Mitch," I say in a flat, uninterested tone. This time, Mitch clears his throat, fighting through a chuckle. He quickly composes himself as I sink into the back seat, and he closes the door.

* * *

The next afternoon, I'm at the shelter helping serve food when Lucy comes in with her hands full, so I rush to help her. "Here, let me help."

"Denver! Oh my god! It's been forever since I've seen you."

Lucy and I set the bags down on the table we have set up to serve the food, and pull each other in for a hug.

"I've been worried about you. The last time I saw you was when that man skipped town with your money. Are you still working for that lawyer?"

"Uh, actually, I'm working for his friend now. As his assistant." I keep my answer light.

"That's cool. What about an apartment. Did you ever find one? You must have since I haven't seen you around here."

"I found a place." I decide to be vague, not giving her too much information. Changing the subject, I ask. "What about you? How's school? Are you enjoying the holidays?" I finish laying the bread out on the table.

"I am. I'm leaving with some friends of mine tomorrow. We're going to spend New Year's in Florida. But, before catching my flight later this morning, I wanted to drop off all this extra food we had at my parents' house. No need in it going to waste."

"That was thoughtful of you, Lucy." My compliment earns me a smile. Over the next hour, Lucy and I work side by side along with the other volunteers, serving dozens of men, women and children who are standing in line waiting for a hot meal. The number of people in need today was more than the shelter has experienced so far this year, and what's worse, is we are running out of food, fast. I look at Lucy. "They're still so many people to feed. What are we going to do?" A commotion at the entrance of the shelter grabs both our attention. Lifting on my toes, I try peering over the people still standing in line to catch a glimpse of what's going on. The shelter's coordinator, Carol, bustles toward us with several men trailing behind her, all carrying trays of pre-cooked food. One after another, the men set the food down on the table in front of us and the waiting people. There is so much food we are forced to set up three extra tables. "Where did all this come from?" I ask in awe.

Carol points across the room. "The handsome young man, standing by the entrance door." My eyes follow her line of sight, and cover my mouth, holding a gasp back, the moment I spot Callan. He's helping some of the men set up tables. As if he feels my gaze, Callan stops what he's doing and turns. His eyes land directly on mine.

At this moment, I let my heart lead me. Without hesitation, my feet carry me toward him, my heart pounding like a drum. Callan drops the chair he was carrying, meeting me halfway. I don't say anything as I throw myself into his arms. This is what matters; not the flowers, lunches, or the car. Not even the little notes that made my stomach flutter. This right here, his grand act of human kindness does me in.

He wraps his arms tight around me, and I cling to him as if he's the only lifeline I have in this world. "Fuck, baby. I've missed holding you," he rasps as I bury my face in his neck. I breathe him in, clutching at his neck collar as if I'm terrified he'll disappear. We hold each other for a long moment before I step back, breaking the connection. I can tell he's reluctant to let me go but does so anyway. I am grateful for his actions here today, but I don't want him thinking this will erase what he's done. A tiny shred of guilt seeps into the pit of my stomach when I see a flicker of hurt dance across Callan's face when my head starts overthinking things again, and I take a step back, putting distance between us.

"This is amazing, Callan. How were you able to get all this food last minute?"