Page 23

AMELIA

I’m not much of a cook, and I definitely don’t feel like trying at seven in the morning. I head over to my freezer, pulling out my handy dandy box of waffles that never lets me down, and toss them in the toaster.

I lean against the cool marble countertop, reaching for my phone from where it’s plugged in and unlock it.

A week has passed since I became officially known as Caleb Hayes’ girlfriend and it’s been an interesting one to say the least. I open the newsfeed app and click on the team’s profile. Caleb’s interview from last week’s game is now pinned at the top.

Setting my phone back down on the counter, I listen to it while I walk over to grab my waffle that popped up.

Fan? Nah. If anything, I’m my girlfriend’s biggest fan.

Girlfriend?

Girlfriend.

Heat spreads across my face. I know it’s all fake but is it bad that I like the sound of him calling me his girlfriend, even if it’s for one second?

It’s a fleeting thought, but it lingers longer than I want it to.

I’m sure this is only a phase, maybe it’s because I haven’t been physical with a man other than Jared in years so my mind is spiraling.

I’ve spent all morning in a webinar with Jess and Soft Muse’s creative director and brand manager going through their analytics from the past week.

I’m more than impressed, their lip product launch has succeeded with over 250,000 units sold which surpasses the initial projections.

There’s also a ton of videos being posted from influencers going in stores to buy all the shades and gave it raving reviews.

It’s more than a success and the numbers keep skyrocketing with every refresh.

Now, I’m taking a much-needed lunch break before the numbers start merging together from my soon to be eye strain. I’m working from home which means I have more time to read my romance book.

Laying down on the couch, I’ve been losing myself in the story for the past thirty minutes, then my phone buzzes on the coffee table. I sit up, flinging my Kindle beside me.

Tia

Cake testing at 3. Don’t forget. Caleb’s coming too, he practically begged me.

Tia asked me to join her cake testing because Maya’s taste buds are non-existent. She’ll literally eat anything and that’s not helpful for making important decisions so she opted out.

I’ve been waiting for this day for months.

Free cake is not something I would ever pass up.

Also, it’s impossible for me to forget appointments.

If I have something as simple as a doctor’s appointment, I can’t focus on anything else other than that.

I’ll stay home and pace back and forth, convinced I’ll miss it somehow.

Going to the store prior? Nope. Grabbing a quick bite? Not a chance.

Do you know me at all?

Hours later, Jess texts me that I can clock out early because I finished all my spreadsheets, giving me just enough time to freshen up before I leave.

It’s warm outside, so I go for a flowy white-floor length skirt paired with a navy blue crop top and my white crossbody purse.

It’s two-fifteen and as I’m hooking my hoop earring, I glance out my window, only to see the sun shining down on Caleb’s Mercedes Benz that’s pulling up into the parking lot.

I’m so confused because he didn’t tell me he was picking me up.

I snatch my kindle off the couch, stuffing it into my purse and take my phone out to call Caleb and peek out my window again.

“Yes?” I can tell he’s grinning.

“Why do I see your car parked outside?” I faintly laugh.

A few minutes of silence, and then theirs knock at my door. I walk over to answer it, my eyebrows furrowing as I meet his eyes, quickly hanging up.

“Your chariot awaits.” He chuckles.

Then his eyes rake over me and I can’t help but feel my skin ignite.

Caleb’s hair is more tousled than usual, and he’s wearing a brown knitted short-sleeve top that clings to his tanned, muscular arms, paired with black dress pants.

Wow, he looks handsome.

“I could’ve ordered a ride.”

“I can’t have my fake girlfriend driving herself, now can I?” he teases, a sly smile on his lips. “Besides, how else would I be able to give you these?”

Before I can even internally complain about him using the word fake , my eyes nearly pop out of my head when he pulls out a bouquet of books from behind his back.

A book bouquet. Oh. My. God.

Five of the latest romance novels on a stick, with flowers surrounding them.

“What the—” I yank him into a hug, feeling his hands slip around my waist as the bouquet squishes together and I gasp pulling back to fix it. “Did you make this?”

He rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah.”

Caleb actually looks nervous, just like he did when I turned sixteen. He’s always like this when he gives gifts to people, and it’s the most adorable thing.

Okay, adorable isn’t exactly the first word you’d think of when looking at a 6’2 man, but somehow it fits him.

“Happy birthday!” They all clapped, jumping up and down.

“Make a wish, pretty girl,” Caleb whispered in my ear as he leaned down.

I closed my eyes, pursed my lips, and blew out the candles.

“I’m going to grab some plates, you guys head into the living room and open some gifts,” my dad smiled, walking into the kitchen. Tia followed him, asking my mom for more Chippy chips.

“You’re old,” he teased.

I swiped some of the icing off the cake with my finger and tapped his nose. “And you’re older.”

He laughed, wiping it off. “I got you something.”

“Oo show me!”

He took my hand and led me into the living room. A small box sat near the fireplace. He plopped down and gently pulled me beside him.

He handed it over, the tip of his ears a little pink. “Here.”

I tore it open and my eyes widened.

He rubbed the back of his neck and squeezed his thumb. “I…hope you like it.”

It was a scrapbook with our photo on the front.

I traced my fingers over it and flipped it open.

There were a bunch of pictures of us, some he must’ve taken while we were studying at the library.

I laughed when I saw another one of us gathered around a Kamayan feast, food spread out on banana leaves.

Another was a selfie we took from our favorite spot…

Manhattan Beach, at sunset, the orange hue pouring in behind us.

“God, I love this.” I hold the bouquet in my hands. “What’s this for?”

“For everything.” he says softly. “You’ve helped me in more ways than I can count.”

My eyes flicker down to his hand and my expression falters, he’s fidgeting with his thumb. Gently, I reach for his hand, stopping him, and weave our fingers together.

“You’ve helped me too.” I say quietly. “Thank you.”

He exhales a deep breath, as his thumb brushes mine.

“So does this mean you’re now my personal chauffeur?” He opens the passenger door and I look into his eyes.

“I’ll be whatever you want me to be.”

Oh.

Caleb sticks the key into the ignition just as his phone rings from the cup holder. He grabs it, answering with a quick tap and puts it on Bluetooth.

“Driftwear loved that you wore their shirt,” a deep voice fills the car, filled with excitement.

“They want to bump up the contract signing to two weeks from now, right when they get back from Paris. But don’t think I forgot about that little stunt you pulled.

Promoting a brand without my approval? Don’t pull that shit again, Hayes. ”

Oops.

My head snaps to Caleb but he waves me off mouthing “Don’t worry about it.”

He clears his throat, voice dropping to that fancy business tone as he starts talking more about the contract. I take that as my cue to mentally clock out. Reaching into my purse and pull out my kindle, flipping it open to the chapter I started earlier.

Tia’s cake testing spot is in Beverly Hills, a thirty-minute drive, giving me plenty of time.

A few minutes into the car ride and of course the spiciest scene would pop up now. The story is getting too good and screw it, there’s no turning back. I lower the brightness and pinch the screen to minimize the font.

My fingers tap the screen, flipping the page and the characters are about to get it on in the shower and my pulse flutters fast.

He throws me over his shoulder, giving my ass a hard slap before setting me back on my feet. “You like this, don’t you?” He murmurs as his fingers find the wetness between my thighs.

I clamp my legs shut, fighting the heat rising up my neck.

I steal a glance at Caleb who’s still talking and shift in my seat, leaning against the cool window to hide my device while I continue.

“Fuck.” A breathless moan escapes my lips as he slips a finger inside me.

He bends me over and pulls his co ? —

“What are you reading?” he asks casually, after hanging up the call.

I jolt and my fingers fumble as I try to lock the device.

“Wha..huh?” my voice stammers, coming out a little higher-pitched than I’d like.

He glances at me, cocking a brow. “You look pretty invested.”

“Oh, um…it’s just a silly romance book.”

Please let this conversation end already.

His eyes lazily drift down to my lap. “Can I read?”

Absolutely NOT.

“You’re driving, so maybe next time,” I lie straight through my teeth.

The universe is somehow playing some sick twisted game with me today because as soon as the words leave my mouth, the light turns red.

“Come on,” he says, turning his right signal light on. “I’ve always wanted to get into romance books. We can start our own little book club.”

“And we can. Just not with this one.”

He then turns into the gas station and my brows furrow, confused. I peek at his dashboard and it’s a full tank. “You don’t need gas?”

Pulling into a spot, he switches the gear shift in park. Then his hand shoots out, grabbing my Kindle in one swift motion.

“Caleb!” I gasp, flustered as I notice my book is still on the screen and didn’t properly lock.

Oh crap.

My body warms, watching his eyes skim the page. His tongue darts out, wetting his lips, and the sight of it has goosebumps dancing across my arms.

I could crawl into a hole and die of embarrassment.

All I’d need is a shovel.

“This turns you on?”

Our eyes lock and for a second, I forget how to breathe. Then I blink, forcing myself to look away, rolling my eyes to cover the heat blooming beneath my cheeks. “No…maybe…umm?—”

He mumbles, “Jesus,” then runs a hand over his mouth, placing the Kindle back on my lap, and reverses the car.

And he doesn’t press further after that. Doesn’t tease me. Just silently reaches for the volume knob and cranks up some music.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch the sharp line of his clenched jaw as he pulls back onto the main road, his fingers tapping against the wheel.

I sigh, leaning my head against the cool window, trying to calm my mind and body racing like a maniac.

Just my luck.