“You do?” I ask, and Martha nods. “How?”
“Like you said, it’s complicated. Town like this, word gets around. We might look like we’re getting up in size, and I guess the university has something to do with it, but the long-timers, the folks who were born and raised around here or have lived here awhile, they still gossip. That, and Douglas Reinhart was the contractor who renovated my house. His workers did a lot of talking back around then. But they all said Caleb’s a good man, and I’ve never seen anything to make me think otherwise. Give it time, honey.”
With a pat on my hand, she gets up. “I’ll be in the office all morning and on properties this afternoon. You call me if you need anything.”Cassie
Worried that Martha would mother me to death, I’m relieved when she let me be the whole day, and this morning was more of the same. Now it’s lunch time, and my stomach growls for the new panini Mindy’s chef made for today’s special. I pick up my order, deciding to walk to the park to eat, and wave at Mindy as I step outside. As I do, I see Caleb at the corner of the building. I stop. He’s looking so handsome. Today, he’s in some camo pants and a black t-shirt, his scuffed work boots only adding to his gruff sexiness. He’s smiling, and I take a step in his direction before I stop. He’s talking to someone just out of my sight, and I duck back before he catches sight of me.
Maybe I’m just imagining things, but I swear his voice has that same sexy purring growl that sets my stomach on its head and my pussy on fire when he talks to me. But this time, he’s not talking to me. “Yeah, that sounds good. I’ve got some work stuff today, but tomorrow night works.”
Before I can even wonder who he’s talking to or try to delude myself that what he’s saying is totally innocent, I hear a woman reply. She’s got a sultry voice, the kind that could melt butter from ten paces and is dripping with honey in the way that only a born Southern belle can do it. “Thanks so much, Caleb. It’s been awhile since you’ve been by. It’s really great to see you again.”
Caleb sounds a little shy, but eager at the same time as he replies, “Yeah, I’ve been busy. A couple of projects have me working long hours. But tomorrow’s good. I’ll see you then.”
I hear a smacking noise and feel my heart shatter into a million pieces as I realize they’re kissing. That fucker, he couldn’t have just told me that he’d met someone? I’m mad, I’m seeing red, and I’m jealous as fuck. Swimming away is one thing, but to just . . . oh, that son of a bitch, I’ll have his balls hanging from my rearview mirror!
I peek out and see him close the door on a little red sports car and tap the roof of the car. As the car pulls away, I see a flash of blonde hair in the driver’s seat. In an instant, I’m lost. I pop out of the little alcove I’ve been hiding in and stomp toward him. My pulse is pounding in my temples and my fists are bunched at my sides.
While I look like a sweet little girl and I’ve added quite a few layers of girliness on top of the tomboy I used to be, I can still get down and dirty when it’s warranted. Caleb, of all people, should know that. And he goes and treats me like this? As I close the distance, I get a little louder than maybe I should be. “What the fuck, Caleb? You couldn’t just tell me you’d met someone?”
Caleb turns, his eyes going wide as he’s startled to see me and my anger at first. He stammers for a moment before he recovers, trying to put another one of those heart melting smiles on his face. “Cassie? What–what are you talking about?”
“Damn it, Caleb. I know we said casual, but I thought we were at least friends and you’d be nice about it when you started seeing someone. But you just dropped me like a piece of trash. I mean, ghosting me and acting all distant—that’s fine, I guess—but why not just tell me you’d met someone? I guess it doesn’t matter to you. You’re just on to the next one. Does Sportscar Blondie know you’re an asshole?”
“Sportscar Blondie?” Caleb says, trying to play like he’s confused, like he doesn’t know exactly who the hell I’m talking about. “Cassie—”
I’m not hearing it. I’m in full-on rage mode. “Don’t give me your shit, Caleb. You’ve got her lipstick all over you. Before you try the confused act, maybe wipe the fucking proof off?”
He rubs at his face, trying to get the stain off but just smearing it more.
Not that Caleb cares. He’s still trying to run his line. “Cassie, wait just a minute. You’ve got this all wrong. She’s not—”
But my emotions are burning through me, and I’m yelling when I cut him off. “Just don’t. I know better. I damn well knew better than to fall in love with you. Just—fuck It. Send me a fucking t-shirt.”
I turn, bolting away toward my car. I’m already pulling out when he catches up to me. He grabs at my door, but I’m already in reverse and his hand does little more than squeal as his fingers try and get a grip. I hear him yell, “Cassie!” at me as I peel out of the lot and speed away.
“Doesn’t matter,” I whisper, choking on my own tears. I blink, desperate to get anywhere, my voice dropping to a harsh rasp. “The sun’ll come out
