Page 24 of I Don’t Need Your Protection (Harrington Bay Academy #1)

Wait, what the heck? Why did his face pop into my head when I’m contemplating kissing Warner? Because I certainly do not want to kiss Caleb. Never in a million years! Would he even know how to kiss? The guy probably doesn’t have a romantic bone in his body.

Yet, why does a part of me think that’s not true? He’s shown me how caring and sympathetic he could be, especially today when I was sad about my parents. I bet he would make a great boyfriend if he was given the chance.

Ugh, why am I even thinking about him when I’m with Warner? I shouldn’t be thinking about him at all.

“Why are you shaking your head?” Warner asks with a laugh.

“What? Oh.” I join in his laughter. “I just had a stupid thought in my head.”

“Care to share?”

“No way.”

He laughs again. Then he says, “Ah, here we are. I’m going to park and then we can look for investors.”

Since most of the people on the streets gawk at the car, Warner can’t just park his precious beauty anywhere in the street. He finds a parking garage that charges a lot of money, which will ensure that no one tries to steal the car.

“Is it exhausting having to worry about someone damaging or stealing your car?” I ask as undo my belt and gather my backpack.

“I can always get a new car, but it’s annoying,” he says as he gets out.

“Must be so hard to be rich,” I joke as I get out as well.

He smiles at me over the car. “You asked and I answered, Nelson.”

I shake my head. “I have no idea why you even like spending time with me.”

“I told you, didn’t I?” he asks as we head toward the exit of the garage. “You make me feel seen.”

For a second, it looks like he might reach for my hand. I would very much want to hold his hand! But he doesn’t. I try not to be disappointed.

“So let’s see,” he says as he looks at the list Mrs. Powell provided us. “Want to try our luck in that place?” He nods to a store that sells clothes.

I shrug. “Sure.”

I follow him inside, and Warner wastes no time walking up to one of the employees, a college-aged woman. He flashes her his charming smile and says, “Can we please speak to your manager?”

She stares at him like she’s never seen someone so handsome before in her life. Like she stands before a Greek god.

“Of course,” she says, totally nervous. “I’ll see if he’s available.”

She stares at him for a few more seconds before offering him a flirty smile and walking away.

I slap Warner’s chest.

“What?” he demands.

“You’re supposed to work your charm on the manager, not an employee.”

He gives me a cheeky smile. “I can’t help it if the ladies love me.”

I roll my eyes at him.

“What?” he asks again, then laughs.

I hear a noise to my left, and both Warner and I turn in that direction. Warner probably didn’t realize, but I catch sight of Caleb’s shoe. He managed to hide behind one of the clothing racks.

“Not such a ninja after all,” I mutter with a laugh. I don’t know why he has to hide here in the store. I’m sure no one would pay attention to him if he was out here in the open looking for clothes. But that’s Caleb.

“Did you say something?” Warner asks.

“Um, no.”

The female employee returns with a middle-aged man. She remains close by, as though she wants to ogle Warner for as long as she can.

“Can I help you?” the manager asks.

“Yes.” Warner raises his chin in a manner that exudes confidence. “My associate and I would like to offer you a business opportunity. Can we speak to you in private?”

It takes everything I have not to hide my smile. Warner definitely knows how to work his audience. The man might not be a young woman, but he certainly appears caught in Warner’s Web of Charm.

And based on his expression, he knows exactly we’re from Harrington Bay Academy and why we’re here. He’s also treating us as though we really are here for a business venture.

Once we’re in his office and he sits down, I slide my laptop out of my backpack and Warner sets it up on his desk. He then proceeds with the presentation, trying to convince the guy why it’s in his best interest to invest in Your Dream Plushie.

Even though I worked on most of the presentation, Warner does such an amazing job presenting it to our potential investor. The way he carries himself and utters the words makes a person feel like he’s selling them gold. Even I would invest in this company.

“Just imagine,” he says in this dreamy tone.

“Your child is having a hard time in school. Maybe they’re being bullied or aren’t making a lot of friends.

Maybe they feel lonely. Then imagine gifting them with a best friend they imagined all on their own.

And imagine their new best friend offering them words of love and encouragement. ”

He then finishes the presentation with a video of a little girl and boy squealing in excitement when the buddies of their imagination come to life right before their eyes.

They rush over to their parents who are holding the plushies out before them and snatch them into their arms, hugging them tightly and crying out in pure bliss.

The video ends with them snuggling with their besties and finally having a good night’s sleep.

I’m so proud of myself. I worked my butt off on that video and the result is amazing, if I may say so myself.

The guy looks at us with a huge grin on his face. “That sounds like a wonderful product, one my children would love to have, especially my youngest who’s currently struggling in school. You definitely have my interest.”

It takes all I have not to throw my arms around Warner. He doesn’t seem as exuberant as me, though.

Once we’re done, we thank the guy and leave the store. “What did I tell you?” Warner says with a chuckle. “Piece of cake. ”

“Come on,” I say. “Our presentation is what made him invest. I’m sure he wouldn’t have if we did a poor job.”

“Yeah, no doubt about that. I told you we got it.”

I don’t know why, but it stings a little that he’s taking this so lightly. I worked really hard on the presentation and the video and he doesn’t seem to appreciate that. I know he doesn’t care about school like I do, but…

“So where to next? The guy invested so much money into our business that I think we just need one more.”

The next person we choose seems like an extremely wealthy businessman. He doesn’t even want to listen to our presentation because he claims he’s “Not in the business of selling toys.” When we leave his place, Warner grumbles that he’s sure another group has already bagged an investment from him.

“Let’s try with the middle-class crowd,” I suggest.

The next person we choose is someone who owns a bakery.

She’s so obsessed with our product that she wishes she could buy it for real.

She has a child with special needs and he would love a toy like this.

I wish I could snap my fingers and conjure Zaney the Zebra for him.

She can’t invest a lot of money into our business, though, since her own business is struggling, but she very much wants to be part of our journey because she really believes in the product.

Warner tells her “No thank you” and is ready to leave, but I tell her we would love to partner with her.

If this was my real business, I would love to have her involved.

“Well, you’re definitely more risky than me,” Warner says with a laugh as we leave the bakery. “I doubt we would see a dime from her.”

“I think we should give her a chance. She seemed so excited about the product.”

He shrugs. “Good thing this is all fake.” He scans the list of potential investors to visit. “Let’s try another wealthy person. I’m getting tired of this.”

We manage to find someone who agrees to invest in our business, and then we’re finally done. “All this has made me hungry,” he says. “Want to grab a bite?”

“Sure. I’m in the mood for pizza.”

He grins. “Same.”

We get in the car and he drives us to what he believes is the best pizza in town—no, the world.

Lottie’s Pizza. A small bell rings as we enter the shop.

After we get our pizza, we sit down at an empty table toward the back.

Just as I bring my pizza to my lips, the bell rings throughout the pizzeria again.

When my eyes flit in that direction, I find Caleb walking inside.

He meets my eyes for a second and then marches to a table a few feet away from us.

I frown. Isn’t he going to order some pizza?

I’m sure he’s hungry after chasing after us all afternoon.

“You have to hear what Hudson and Javion did during PE today,” Warner says with a chuckle after taking a bite out of his pizza. “They—”

“Sorry, excuse me for a second.” I drop my pizza and make my way to Caleb’s table.

His eyes widen when he sees me approach, and he gets this expression on his face that warns me not to get closer. But I don’t care. “Why didn’t you order pizza?” I ask.

Shock and surprise settle over his face, but he quickly shoves them away. “What did I tell you about interacting with me in public?”

“I don’t care. It’s not right for you to starve just because you’re ‘on the job.’ If you won’t order something for yourself, then I’ll order something for you.”

He doesn’t move, just keeps his eyes on me. I swear I can sense something shifting in them, maybe a hint of an emotion, but it’s so subtle I wonder if I’m just imagining it.

I spin around and march to the counter. I have no idea what kind of pizza he likes, but one is always safe with plain cheese right?

“Can I have two slices of plain cheese, please?” I ask.

“Sure.”

“What are you doing?” Caleb’s by my side and grabs hold of my wrist, pulling me aside. “I told you not to interact with me.”

“And I told you that I don’t care. You might think you’re noble for sacrificing your health for me, but I won’t allow it. You barely sleep because of me, you don’t talk to anyone because of me, you don’t—”

“Every second we’re together, your life is more at risk.”

I survey the area, then raise my hands. “No one is paying attention to us, Caleb. Not even Warner.”

He glances behind him and sees that Warner is busy texting. He narrows his eyes at me. “Anyone could be watching you. If they know I’m your protector, they could come after me. And then who will be there to protect you?”

I fold my arms over my chest. “Okay, maybe you’re right. But that doesn’t mean you can’t order a freakin’ pizza.”

His jaw clenches.

“You know I’m right.”

He shuts his eyes for a second. “Please return to your date.”

“He’s not my date.”

He wears no expression.

“Fine. See you back in the dorm with a full belly.” I give him a don’t-you-dare-defy-me look and turn to leave.

“Wait,” he says.

I twist around.

“Your presentation and video were really amazing. Good job.”

My eyes almost bug out of my face when I catch a small smile on his lips. A compliment and a smile? Every part of me fills with warmth. Caleb noticed my hard work. Sure, he saw me slaving away at it in my room, but he’s actually acknowledging that I did a good job.

Did he see how bothered I was when Warner didn’t seem to appreciate all that I did?

Before I have a chance to thank him, he takes his tray and returns to his table. I just gape at him, my eyes and ears not believing what just happened. And those butterflies I wanted to feel with Warner? Well, darn, are they in mega mode now.

He must feel me watching him because he lifts his eyes. We remain staring at each other for I don’t know how long, but then he breaks his gaze and tilts his head toward Warner. Right, I kind of forgot about him.

I rejoin him at our table and listen to the rest of his story, but why does a part of me want to sit with Caleb?