9
Caleb hadn’t stopped shifting around and staring at Brooklyn from the moment she’d let him set up his laptop in her office. She swiveled away from her recruiting spreadsheets. “Work didn’t prompt this surprise visit, did it?”
His focus shifted to his screen, hands on his keyboard, though he hadn’t typed a word in ten minutes. “I met with Terrence about the new software. It went great. Thanks for asking.”
“You haven’t talked to Jake?”
“Not recently. Why? He’s got news?”
He must want her to talk without having to spell out whatever he’d heard. She’d rather act clueless. “What happened with Terry?”
“He’s championing the worst program because it’s the most like the old program.”
“Change is hard.”
The honesty earned her a calculating stare. “That’s why you and Jake are still acting like ten-year-olds with cooties?”
Lord, I can’t handle this conversation right now. She turned back to her computer, but the words onscreen blurred. “I don’t know what I was thinking that night in New Wilshire. Under the influence of travel and long hours, I guess.”
“Look, don’t lie to me, OK?” This was the first he’d ever spoken to her with this edge in his voice. “We both know you weren’t under the influence of anything that night.” His tone turned sad as if maybe he’d noticed her hands shaking. “Whatever it is, I’d understand. I’ve made mistakes, too.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“What?” The word carried his smile, the edge absent. “Do I have to get you away from town before you’ll open up? Wanna take a road trip back to New Wilshire with me?”
Her heart hammered at the thought of going back there, seeing that place again. Surviving this would require all the friends and help she could get. But words to explain were just as hard to find for Caleb as they’d been with Jake. “Where are you staying?” She peeked over her shoulder. “Your parents’?”
“Jake’s.”
“He didn’t mention it.”
“He doesn’t know yet.” Caleb’s phone sounded. He checked the display and stood. “My boss. I’ll take it in the hall.”
When the door shut after him, Brooklyn unlocked her own phone and typed her response to Jake’s invitation.
Dinner, yes, if it’s my friend asking.
She needed to see him before Caleb, but she couldn’t risk not being clear about her intentions. Everything about him attracted her, but dating would plunge her into a nightmare of guilt.
His response lit the screen.
When your friend asks someone on a date, he doesn’t do it in a text.
Was he angry? She tucked her phone away before Caleb could come back to see her staring at it. Who could promise Jake wouldn’t fall in love with someone else while she had him on hold? She’d have to accept the risk.