Page 21 of Something Borrowed

She’d only been there a week, and it wasn’t like it was even a real job, for pity’s sake, but man, she was going to miss it when her payback time was up.

Chapter 14

When Cal arrived back at the office for lunch on Tuesday, Carrie was nowhere to be seen. Maybe she was in the can? Cal was alone in the office, which was a good thing because he’d just messaged Vic and was feeling jumpy.

He wolfed down a sandwich and attempted a pep talk, muttering under his breath, “Give your head a shake, man. It’s just a job. A job.” But it didn’t matter how much he berated himself. He couldn’t get himself to chill out. He paced the room, waiting for Vic to answer his text about a time to come over and assess the house with as much nervousness as if he’d already asked her out.

Already asked her out?

Well, that explained the nerves. Apparently, the part of his brain not in denial knew that was his plan.

When his phone dinged, he jumped, and his heart thudded.

“Any time after 5:00 works great for me. And any time after 9:30, Audra is asleep for the night. Just saying. ;)”

Cal stared at the little winking emoji behind Vic’s text for a long time, something fluttering in his gut. He rolled his eyes at himself, but it couldn’t shake his smile. Here he was, a very crotchety fifty-four, feeling like a teenager or something.

“Tonight then? Say . . . 9:30?”

Again, he waited what seemed like an interminable time.

A little thumbs-up icon popped up.

He hesitated only a moment. “And if I brought pizza, would you be too full having just had dinner?”

A string of party poppers, praying hands, and smiling faces with party hats filled his screen.

He’d take that as a yes, she’d like pizza. He was embarrassed by the size of his grin, even though he was alone.

“Wow, what are you smiling at? You look like the cat who got the canary.”

Vic was petite and vivacious, but Cal doubted she’d appreciate being the “canary” in Carrie’s scenario. His grin deepened.

Carrie’s eyebrows shot toward her hairline. “Oh, my—there’s a woman. Wait! Is it Vic? It has to be Vic. Why don’t I know her? Why haven’t I met her?”

Carrie never missed anything. It was super annoying. He smiled even more. Dammit.

“It’s early days, Care. Early days.” Reality slapped him. He shook his head a little. “It’s not even early days. We haven’t been on a date or anything. I’m just—”

“Crushing?”

Cal grimaced, then scrubbed his hand through his beard. It needed a trim. “Yeah. Maybe. Shut up.”

So, he wasn’t only thirteen around Vic. He was thirteen with his sibling too. Perfect.

To his surprise, though, Carrie didn’t tease him. Or even punch him supportively. She came over and gave him a hug. “I’m glad. Just enjoy it. Even if it doesn’t go anywhere.”

When his initial surprise wore off—they weren’t a huggy family—he squeezed back. Then he gave her a quizzical look.

“You’ve been sad for so long,” she said simply, knowing his question without him having to verbalize it. “It’s good, beyond good, to see you happy about something. Hopeful.”

Her words so closely echoed his own thoughts about himself the past weekend that all he could do was nod.

The shop phone rang, Carrie answered it, then settled into her desk chair and pulled out a list of materials he’d given her earlier. Must be a supplier on the line.

He went back to his planning. Would two pizzas be too much? Too obvious? Should he get his beloved pineapple, pepperoni, banana peppers, and onion, or was she just being kind? Should stick with something—

“Okay, Romeo,” Carrie interrupted his menu planning, “true love or not, you still gotta work. Sister needs a new pair of shoes.”