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But it wasn’t.

We both pulled in a breath.

Because Calder’s name was filling the screen.

CHAPTER 30

My heart went a mile a minute as I raced up the stairs. Since it was a FaceTime call, I had no choice but to take it in our apartment. I supposed I could’ve let it go to voicemail, but that didn’t seem right. Not answering would’ve been an admission of guilt. It was bad enough that he’d admitted before he left that he was testing me. Even worse that I’d already failed said test. Answering the call in Rafe’s apartment would have proven all of Calder’s worst fears about me, even if that was clearly warranted.

“Hey…” I finally picked up, sitting on our living room couch, trying not to appear out of breath.

Dim lamplight illuminated the hotel room as Calder lay in bed. “Hi.”

I tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear and hugged one of the pillows. “How’s London?”

“Everything is going well, but I’m exhausted. It’s the middle of the night here, and I should be asleep, but I’m wired.”

“What have your days been like?”

“Mostly shadowing Niles. He’s the big boss in charge of making the decision. He’s got me going to lunches and late dinners every single day. It’s tiring to have to be on all of the time, you know? I’m spent.”

I sighed. “I can only imagine. I’m sure they love you, though.”

After a long, tense pause, he cocked his head. “How are things over there? What have you been up to?”

I sucked in a shaky breath. “Mostly hanging around the apartment.”

“How’s work?”

“Really busy. As soon as I turn in one manuscript, another lands in my inbox. There’s pretty much no end, but that’s to be expected.”

He nodded. “So mostly busy with work, then?”

“Yup.” I swallowed.

There was nothing I hated more than lying to his face. But now was not the time to hurt him. Too much was at stake. Maybe I’d tell him everything when he got back, admit that he’d been right to wonder if I’d cheat again. But I wasn’t about to mess with his head while he was away on this important trip. He needed every opportunity to get that job without interference.

Calder’s next question was more direct. “Have you seen Rafe?”

Oh no. “Yes,” I admitted, vowing to give him only the bare minimum as adrenaline coursed through me.

Calder stared at me. I wondered if he could see it written all over my face. “How’s he doing?” he finally asked.

“He’s all right.” I let out a little of the breath I’d been holding. “Everything is like usual here.”

Like usual: Me fucking everything up all the time.

I told myself if I kept my answers generic enough, they would technically be the truth. But if he asked me directly if I’d slept with Rafe, I didn’t know how I’d answer. That was a yes or no question you couldn’t skirt around. To my surprise, he didn’t pry further.

Calder rubbed his tired eyes. “It’s almost time for me to get up and head to the office. I’m wondering if I should just stay up at this point.”

“You should try to get a little sleep. You don’t want to seem tired.”

He let out a long breath and nodded. “I wanted to hear your voice and try to catch you before you went to bed.”

“That’s sweet,” I said, riddled with guilt but relieved that he’d moved on from the subject of Rafe.

“Anyway…” he said. “I’ll let you get back to your night.”