Page 99 of Billionaire Unexplained: Kaleb

Kaleb had shared a lot about his cousin, and I almost felt like I knew her.

“What can I get you to drink?” she asked politely.

I looked longingly at her very fancy coffee maker, one that was actually nicer than my own. “Would you mind if I asked for a coffee?”

“I can make you anything,” she answered. “Do you have a preference?”

“A salted caramel latte if that’s possible,” I said hopefully.

She nodded like she served the drink on a daily basis and started to make the coffee. “That sounds good. I think I’ll make the same for myself.” She turned to me while she was working. “I won’t keep us away from the guys for long, but I wanted a chance to tell you privately how sorry I am about your parents and everything that’s happened to you. I lost both of my parents at the same time when I was a teenager. Car accident. I know how painful and traumatic it can be. It must have been heartbreaking for you to know that they were murdered by someone you thought was a friend. I just wanted you to know that if you ever need someone to talk to about it, I’ll be there for you.”

I took a seat at the breakfast bar because Shelby was obviously in her element and didn’t need any help with those coffees. “Thanks,” I said sincerely. “It’s been a really tough year. I’m not sure what I would have done without Kaleb.”

“I think you’ve been good for him, too,” Shelby shared as she added a dash of salt and some whipped cream to the lattes. “I’m going to be honest. I was a little worried about him when I found out that he was getting involved with a huge celebrity like Annelise. But the more he and the family talked about you, I knew I was going to like you, too.”

I wasn’t even going to pretend that I didn’t know what she was talking about. People on the outside of my business thought pop stars were materialistic, partying all the time, and incredibly narcissistic sometimes. While that was a fair assessment for some, there were people like me who just wanted to create music.

I wanted to reassure Shelby because she cared so much about Kaleb. “I love him. I’m not the party type. I’m actually pretty boring. Like your cousin, I was a complete workaholic who was obsessed with my career, and had no joy in my life. Kaleb brought that joy into my life, and I’d never hurt him.”

Shelby slid my coffee in front of me with a spoon. She started stirring the whipped cream into her own mug as she said softly, “You’ve brought joy to Kaleb’s life, too. I was worried about him because he blamed himself for my kidnapping for a long time, even though it wasn’t his fault. We’ve always been close. He’s more like a brother to me than a cousin. I could see the guilty look in his eyes every time he saw me after the kidnapping. I’m not seeing that anymore. He’s sent me some of the pictures of you two seeing the sights in Southern California over the last few months. He looks so happy, and I don’t think I can express how grateful I am about that.”

Shelby looked like she was about to cry with gratitude, and that was the last thing I wanted. I reached across the breakfast bar and put a gentle hand on her forearm. “He’s okay now, Shelby. You don’t have to worry about that anymore. He’s at peace with that situation and he’s moved on.”

“Because he has better things to worry about now. You.”

I pulled my hand back and stirred my latte. “I’m working on that. He’s an alpha male that tends to be a little too protective sometimes. I like that protective instinct, don’t get me wrong. But I hate it that he worries.”

Shelby sighed happily. “Wyatt is the same way. Over the top, and he’s been worse since I was kidnapped. It’s just part of who he is, and I try to remember that when it gets to be a little too much. I like his protectiveness, too, but when he gets unreasonable, I let him know.”

“Same here,” I shared as I decided that I really liked this woman.

Shelby had a big heart, and I hadn’t met many of those people in my world.

“How’s the long-distance thing working out for you two?” she asked curiously.

“Honestly?” I asked. “It’s hell. I miss him like crazy, but we don’t really have a choice right now. His business is in Montana, and mine is in California. But anything is better than not having him in my life.”

Shelby shook her head. “I don’t know how you do it. Wyatt and I were apart for a short period of time when I was in Montana visiting, and it drove me insane. If he travels, I usually go with him because I hate being lonely at home. I can work remotely for the most part since I’m a food blogger and a writer of cookbooks now. Do you like Montana? Kaleb mentioned that you grew up there.”

I nodded. “I love it. I love the town and most of the people there.”

Shelby rolled her eyes. “I love it, too. But the gossip in Crystal Fork can be relentless.”

I laughed. “Luckily, Kaleb lives outside of town, so it’s always possible to escape when I want to. His property is beautiful. I feel a lot more inspired and peaceful there.”

“Are you thinking about moving?” she asked curiously.

I shrugged. “Kaleb and I haven’t really gone there. We love each other, but I’m not sure either of us knows what to do about the future.”

“You’ll figure it out,” Shelby said confidently. “He could probably set up a remote office in Los Angeles.”

“I’d never ask him to do that,” I said, appalled. “He loves his family and the town he grew up in. He’d worry himself to death about his mom, even though Tanner and Devon are there.”

Shelby nodded. “That’s probably true. He’s really been there for her since my uncle died. Aunt Millie and my uncle were inseparable when he was alive. She took his death really hard. Everyone did. You wouldn’t know it, but I think she’s really lonely.”

I knew that. I’d sensed it when I was with her in Montana, and we still texted and spoke on the phone a lot.

“I miss her,” I said honestly.

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