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I know. I know. I need a new everything. Mostly I need a new way to get through life because every path I take winds up making things worse. I force a smile, and once again, I’m trying not to cry. “Let me get through today, all right?”
BY THE TIMEwe arrive at work, the instructions I sent Caleb have been executed perfectly. The food is set out and there’s a buzz of excitement in the air. It’s bizarre how much people love free food.
Caleb enters through the side door just before nine, frowning, his brow furrowed as he searches the room—until his gaze falls on me. And then his eyes soften and he smiles.I smile back.
I wish…I wish…
I wish for so many things.
Mark gets up and makes a small presentation about productivity, and then someone else discusses the software that’s about to be launched.
When it’s finally Caleb’s turn to speak, I can’t look away. He stands there, imposing and beautiful in a suit that does nothing to hide the sheer power of him—the size of his shoulders, his chest, his broad hands. I’m not the only female here watching him with something that exceeds professional interest.
Kayleigh, the most obvious of them.
He thanks us for our hard work and our commitment to the company, just like I suggested. He discusses the plans for the team-building retreats I’m organizing and reminds everyone there’s only a month left to get miles in for the walking program.
“And let’s have a round of applause for Lucie Monroe,” he says at the end, “for making all this happen.”
Our eyes meet, and I feel no different than I did as a small child, certain he was the one I was meant for.
“Pretty impressive, Lucie,” Wyatt says, slinging an arm around my shoulders.
I force a smile. “Nothing’s happened yet.”
He grins. “I have faith in you.”
I glance back at Caleb. He’s no longer smiling.
He’s glaring at that arm around my shoulders like it’s everything he hates in the entire world.
ONE HOUR LATER, Caleb appears at my desk. His eyes land on the bouquet—I set it by my trash can last night and thecleaning people placed it back on my desk instead of throwing it away.
“Do you have time to run a quick errand with me over lunch?” he asks. His eyes revert to the bouquet.
“Sure,” I reply, grabbing my purse. “What kind of errand?”
He turns stiffly. “You’ll see.”
“Based on how cranky you are, I assume someone else has nominated us worst employer in the state?”
His gaze flickers to the roses as he rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry, if I was abrupt. I just thought you, uh, might have plans.”
He almost seems…jealous.
“Nope, no plans,” I reply, following him down the hall. He frowns, dissatisfied by my answer.
We get into his car, and he heads toward the other side of the lake, away from his cabin and mine and closer to the suburb where Jeremy and I once lived.
“So are you going to tell me what this secret mission is?” I ask. “Have you also consulted with Jeremy’s lawyer and decided I should move?”
He gives a short laugh. “No. We’re getting your car back.”
I stiffen. He clearly believes my ex is far more reasonable than he actually is. If I take the car, Jeremy will call the cops and have me arrested. Knowing Jeremy, he’s hoping I do it.
“Caleb,no. I can’t. It’ll make everything worse.”
He shakes his head. “Your ex is a ruthless asshole, Lucie—do you really think he’s just going tostopwithout forcing you to give up things that matter?”
