“Now we just need to work on presenting it.” I sighed, and Hannah flung her arm over my shoulder as she propped our project against the wall.
“Don't you worry about that. We all know I'm the chatty one in this friendship, and I have no issue taking the reins.”
Hannah loved talking to anybody and everybody. If there was an excuse to do so, she was going to find it, and I swore if you were to look up the word chatterbox in the dictionary, a giant picture of Hannah's face would take up the entire page.
Kaleb waltzed into the room from the kitchen, glowering as he mumbled into his phone. “We're handling it.” His voice was rough—scratchy. He sounded tense. “He's suspicious, but until we see the situation as too dangerous, we'll keep digging.” A pause. “No, that's fine, Frederick. I'll talk to Brent and keep you updated.”
Hannah was too busy fussing over our project that had fallen over to take notice of Kaleb's conversation, and he watched her carefully for any sign of interest as he spoke. His shoulders were strained, and he glanced at me with a down-turned mouth.
After my confession in the car, he'd cooked me some spaghetti and cream sauce—my favourite dish—and ordered me to get an early night. He hadn't spoken to me much about Will and what was going on with the investigation, and I had a sneaky feeling that my tears had deterred him from involving me further.
Excusing herself to the bathroom, Hannah disappeared.
“Who was that?” I asked Kaleb, testing the water.
“My chief’s boss. He’s one of the top dogs in the organisation,” he said flatly, avoiding eye contact with me, tapping away on his phone. Yep, he still didn't want me involved.
“Sounded tense.” My attempt to lighten the mood fell flat.
He ran his hand down his face, groaning as he took a seat on the couch. Even when he was stressed, he was gorgeous. He'd failed to shave over the past few days, and I couldn't help but notice his accumulated excess stubble.
“What was he saying?”
Kaleb swallowed. “He’s pushing. He wants Will arrested within the next week. I don't know if we'll be able to gather the information we need without coming across as brazen, though. It's risky.”
I nodded at his admittance.
“What fucking now?” Kaleb glared down at his beeping phone, reading the text that had just come through and turning the screen toward me.
Brent: Kaylee really enjoyed spending time with Freya. She was wondering if you guys wanted to go on a double date tonight?
I smiled, and Kaleb shook his head.
“No.” His tone left no room for persuasion.
I scowled, crossing my arms over my chest. “Why not? It's the weekend. It'll be fun.” I fancied getting out of the house—having been working hard and in need of something to perk me up.
Watching me with cautious eyes as I leaned up against the wall, my breasts slightly pushed up in my burgundy tank top, Kaleb's frown faltered. “I don't have time.”
I laughed. “Really? What are you doing tonight? Sitting at home being grumpy?”
“It's a full-time job,” he quickly retorted back.
“See?” I kicked at his foot. “You can be fun when you want to be.”
Huffing, Kaleb surveyed my pleading expression, lolling his head back and grumbling to himself. “Jesus, why can't I say no to you? Alright, fine. We'll grab a drink with them.”
Hannah re-entered the room, wiggling her phone at me, causing me to arch a brow. “What?”
“You're all set for your date with Ty.”
I almost choked on my saliva at her words, and Kaleb’s eyebrows flew into his hairline before he quickly composed himself, taking a deep breath.
“What? No,” I said, and my best friend glared at me, taking a fleeting look at Kaleb before smiling.
“Yes. He'll be ready to meet you for lunch in thirty minutes. I thought I'd give you some time to freshen up since you look…” She took in my sloppy outfit and hair that was pulled back into a claw clip, humming in disapproval.
Kaleb's hands were clenched, his jaw was taut, and his grey eyes bored into mine—as if daring me to agree. His phone rang, and he frustratingly swiped it up and swiftly exited the room, his pissed-off voice sounding from the kitchen