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“Coming right up,” I said, feeling the corners of my mouth turn up in an involuntary smile. No matter my conflicted feelings, Caleb’s presence now lifted my spirits.
We fell into easy conversation as I steamed the milk, our banter is lighthearted and comfortable. Now with Caleb, I could let my guard down and be myself. The complications of our situation faded into the background when it was just us.
“Have you noticed the way some people are looking at us?” I asked, giving voice to the thoughts that had been nagging at me.
Caleb nodded, his stormy blue eyes serious. “Yeah, it seems like everyone has an opinion.”
“Does it bother you?” I inquired, suddenly curious about his perspective.
He paused, considering my question. “Not really,” he admitted. “It’s just... I don’t want it to affect you negatively.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, touched by his concern. “I’m trying not to let it get to me, but sometimes it’s hard, you know? On top of all the landlord stuff, the development stuff…”
“I totally get it,” he said, reassuringly reaching across the counter to squeeze my hand. “I didn’t think twice about it before I came back to Pebble Point. I was so wrapped up in myself, I thought it was just another business deal.” He softly rubbed his thumb on the back of my hand, “But it’s not. It’s not.”
“Caleb… I… I think I want this,” I said softly. “I want to see where this goes between us. But it’s still so new. I need a little time to wrap my head around it all.”
“Hey, no pressure,” he said. “We’ll take this at your pace. Just know that I’m here for you, one hundred percent.”
His sincerity melted my lingering doubts. Caleb wasn’t pushing me into anything I wasn’t ready for. He was willing to be patient and let our relationship blossom naturally.
“What do you say we get out of here?” he suggested. “I know the perfect spot to clear our heads.”
“Emily?” I called across the cafe, “Can you take charge while I have a quick break?”
She nodded, smiling, ushering us out the door.
***
We walked hand-in-hand down the shoreline a few minutes later, waves lapping at our feet. As we left footprints in the sand, the knot of tension in my chest finally loosened.
“You know, I never expected this,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence between us. “When you came back to Pebble Point, I thought you were just going to be an arrogant suit.”
Caleb chuckled, a rich sound that made my heart flutter. “Yeah, I definitely didn’t make the best first impression. Or second. Or third.”
I bumped his shoulder playfully with mine. “I’m glad you proved me wrong. Underneath that CEO exterior, you’re almost human.”
“All thanks to you,” he said sincerely. “You bring out the best in me, Zoe. With you, I feel like I can just be...me.”
Caleb’s words resonated deeply. With him, I didn’t have to pretend or put up walls. For the first time, I could let someone in completely.
“I feel the same way,” I admitted. “Like I can tell you anything. Ask you anything.”
I stopped, turning to face him. The sunlight set his eyes ablaze.
“What do you want most in life, Caleb?” I asked softly. “If you could have any dream come true, what would it be?”
He momentarily considered, rolling his grandfather’s pocket watch between his fingers.
“Happiness. Freedom. To live life on my own terms,” he said finally. “With people I love beside me.”
Caleb’s voice was thick with emotion. I could tell this glimpse into his heart wasn’t easy for him.
“What about you?” he asked gently. “What’s your dream, Zoe?”
I smiled up at him, brushing a windblown lock of hair from his forehead.
“This. Just this.”
