Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22788 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22788 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
She felt the fluttering in her stomach and groaned. “I’m not an idiot. This stuff doesn’t happen to me.”
“But you don’t hate the idea?”
“No, I don’t hate the idea, but a guy that jumps from woman to woman is not going to want to settle down, like ever, is he?” she asked.
Mae sighed, as she saw customers coming toward the shop.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s fine. Caleb and I are just having fun and that is all. Just some fun.” That was what she was going to keep in her mind.
Emily sighed. “I am going to head to work, but you know, I am always here if you need to talk. You just say the word.”
She smiled at her friend, but the truth was, she was more confused than ever.
Emily gave her a wave, and Mae smiled at her.
Caleb had still been there this morning when she woke up. He’d made coffee and breakfast, which they had shared together. It had been so long since she had any company for breakfast. The truth was, it was just about the company.
No one, not even Emily, knew that all of her life, she had a crush on Caleb. He’d been the bad boy through school, and it had been a crush—one she expected to dissipate. She doubted he even remembered the time a couple of bullies had pushed some books out of her hands and knocked her glasses to the floor. Caleb had punched each of them, slamming them into lockers and giving them each a warning. After he had done that, he had helped her collect her books, picked up her glasses, and slid them onto her face. He’d been so sweet. No one had ever bullied her again.
It was such a distant memory, and other than saying thank you to him, she had never truly spoken. She’d been so socially awkward by herself. It was so strange, because running this shop and talking about books, she knew exactly what she was doing. Everything else seemed so much harder.
Having sex with Caleb was unlike anything she had ever experienced. Waking up with him was a dream come true, as was going to sleep with his arms wrapped around her.
She just needed to keep her feet firmly on the ground. Caleb was a man who had never been won, never been tamed, and she didn’t believe she would be the one to do it.
****
“What’s your verdict?” Pete asked.
Emily stepped into the kitchen. She had already put their two daughters to bed. Full-time school was wearing them out, and it helped that they hadn’t slept the night before. All Emily wanted to do was go upstairs and fall into bed. She didn’t care about taking a shower, or even getting out of her clothes. Over the years, she and Pete had each fallen asleep dressed as they had been during the day. Having kids, you learned to take sleep when it came. Bathing and getting changed was a luxury few new parents could afford. At least, that had been her experience, but she wouldn’t trade it for the world.
“Mae is completely in love with Caleb. What did you get?” Emily asked.
“You’re sure? Did she actually tell you that?”
“No, but I know my best friend and I know who she is in love with. She has always had a crush on Caleb, and that has never stopped. What about you?”
“Caleb is in love but he doesn’t even realize it,” Pete said.
Emily sighed as she watched her husband rub his hands together. She had fallen in love with this man when they were snot-nosed kids in high school. Even when she was going through her rebellious heavy metal phase, he had loved her.
She went to him. “Do you think this is the right thing to do?”
“Come on, Emily. You know they will be perfect for each other.”
“But playing matchmaker seems a little ... troublesome,” Emily said. “What if we push them too hard and they don’t want it?”
“They’re our friends and we know exactly how stubborn they can be. We’re going to bring them together, not push them away.” Pete cupped her shoulders. “Do you trust me?” he asked.
“Yes, you know I do.”
“Then trust that we’re doing the right thing. I’ve never seen Caleb this way about a woman. Mae means a lot to him. Enough for him to call me in the morning.”
Emily smiled at her husband. She would love for her friend to find some happiness.
****
Caleb had a late appointment, and as he took his client around to the counter to finish the final payment, he saw Mae was exactly where he had left her. She had surprised him by coming to him. He had warned her at lunch that he had a late customer, and she offered to come and wait for him.