Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Good. Just be careful.”
“I know how to protect myself. I thought you wanted me to make a move on Rhys.”
“I don’t want you holding back your true self or not going after what you want, but I also want to protect you. I’m your big sister. I don’t have to be logical.”
Caleb laughed. “That’s for damn sure.”
He kept talking to her as he let himself into the shop and climbed the stairs to his apartment. Kate gave him a few details about her case and complained that it seemed like it could go on and on forever. She wished the client would just settle out of court. Caleb explained a little more about Briarwood Orchard and how things had been going at Cloud Nine, but he managed to avoid saying any more about Rhys until the end of the call.
“Have fun tomorrow night,” Kate said as she was about to end the call.
“I always have fun when I’m creating drinks.”
“Sure, but it’s got to be so much better with a hot guy.”
“It’s not like that.” Or it might not continue to be, even if he wanted it to.
“Whatever you say?”
“Why do you think you’re so right about this?”
“I know you. I know how you sound when you’re falling for someone, and I know how you act when you’re deflecting.”
Caleb huffed. “I don’t like sisters.”
“Take care of yourself, little brother.”
“I will. Don’t work too hard.”
“I’ll try.”
Caleb got ready for bed, but as he’d suspected, he was too wound up to sleep. He had a feeling the next night was going to be a hell of a lot of fun, but he had no idea how serious the consequences of that would be.
CHAPTER 15
Rhys snoozed his alarm twice the next morning, something he never did. When the alarm rang, he got up. That was how his day started. Always. But not today, not after he’d kissed Caleb like he was attacking him, and then Caleb had driven him home, being so sweet and careful with him.
Caleb was right. It wouldn’t have been a good idea for him to walk home alone, not because there was any danger in Frostwick Harbor, but because his head had been swimming, and he could barely catch his breath.
What had made him jump Caleb like that? He’d clearly been out of his mind, and he couldn’t let it happen again, no matter how much he wanted to.
He pushed his covers off and sat up. He needed to focus on his routine. He always got out of bed, went to the bathroom, took care of things there, and then started his first cup of coffee. After that, he did a workout, then got ready to go to Frost + Foam.
But that day, he didn’t get up immediately. He reached for his phone. He wasn’t going to be able to do anything until he made it clear that last night was an aberration. He was not going to kiss Caleb again.
He texted Caleb. Tonight needs to be all business. No more kissing.
Caleb sent a frowny face emoji.
I’m serious.
Okay. No kissing.
Or anything else.
Anything?
Caleb stop.
All business tonight.
Yes and we should eat dinner on our own before we meet.
All right. If that’s what you want.
It might not be what he wanted, but it was how it had to be. He could not let himself get any more obsessed with Caleb. He was already in too deep.
See you at 6:30.
See you then.
Tessa stopped by for her usual morning coffee, but she was in a hurry, so Rhys managed to avoid any talk about the festival or Caleb or anything else awkward. What there was of a morning rush with Cloud Nine open slowed, and Rhys looked up to see Jonah at the counter. “Oh. Hi.”
“Hi. How are things going today?”
“All right. Steady, at least.”
Jonah smiled. “Frost + Foam is going to be fine. Cloud Nine isn’t going to mess up what you’ve built here.”
“I don’t want to talk about Caleb.”
Jonah raised his brows. “Wow. Did something happen?”
“No. I’m just… Everyone is talking about him. I’ve heard enough.” And felt enough and tasted enough. Ugh. That was such a fucking lie.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine. Just busy.”
“I thought… never mind.”
“Do you want your usual?” Rhys hated how sharp his tone was. He didn’t need to be rude to one of his best friends, but he couldn’t stop thinking about kissing Caleb, and it was killing him.
“Yes. If that’s not too much trouble.”
Rhys shook his head. “It’s not. I’m sorry. I’ve got a headache.”
That wasn’t a lie. Ever since he’d texted Caleb, knowing he was saying all the wrong things, his head had been pounding. He made Jonah’s drink and handed it to him.
Jonah took a sip and smiled. “Delicious as always. If you want to talk, stop by the shop later.”
“I don’t… I mean, I don’t need to talk. I just need to get through the day, then go lay down.”