Page 38 of Saved By Two

My eyes meet his. “Thank you, Caleb,” I whisper, my voice filled with gratitude. “I honestly don’t know what I’d have done without you and Noah both.”

Noah squeezes my shoulder. “We’re in this together.”

He leans over, snatches up his laptop from the coffee table, and sits it on my lap.

“In that case, I think it's time we sorted you out with a few extra items for your wardrobe, don’t you?”

I nod because I don’t think the slippers I arrived in constitute outdoor footwear. “Yeah, you’re right.”

“Password is Formidable.”

I stare at him in disbelief. “Why would you share your password with me, and why Formidable?”

He smiles, showing off those dimples I’ve come to love. I quickly swallow down the thought. I’m allowed to appreciate his dimples. That's all. There's nothing untoward or creepy about it.

“Because I trust you, and as for the name, it’s the club where Caleb and I met.”

I lick my lips. “Thank you. Formidable, I’ve never heard of it,” I say, typing in the password and pulling up a Google search engine.

Caleb lets out a small chuckle, and I quickly turn to look at him. He laughs even less than I do, so I’m intrigued by his response.

“It’s a very exclusive club, let’s just say…for members with very particular tastes.”

His pupils dilate as he stares at me with that penetrating gaze of his, which, if I were standing, would have my knees buckling beneath me.

“It’s a sex club,” Noah whispers into my ear, causing goosebumps all over my skin.

“Oh,” is the only articulate response I can muster.

“Anyway, we’ve digressed. Let’s get you online and get yourself some new outfits.”

Caleb moves to his feet. “And while you’re at it, find something dressy. I think it’s time we took you out.”

The thought of getting dressed up and going out brings on my anxiety, and the laptop almost slips off my lap, but Noah catches it.

“Hey, one step at a time, outfits first, and we’ll discuss outings later,” Noah says, giving Caleb a narrowed look.

“I don’t want you overthinking this, sweet girl.”

I let out a deep breath. “It's okay. I know I can’t stay hidden in here forever, just sometimes the thought of stepping back into the outside world fills me with fear.”

Caleb crouches in front of me, peering over the top of the laptop. “You’re strong, Jessica; this is all part of you reclaiming your life. But believe me when I say you have nothing to worry about. We’ll be with you every step of the way. You’re not alone.”

“We’ve got you,” Noah says.

And just like that, without even trying, they’ve given me something back that I haven’t felt in a long time—hope.

ChapterTwenty

CALEB

After reaching out to someone I know, I’ve set up some counselling sessions for Jessica; even with me calling in a favour, the first one is still two weeks away, so I’m incredibly grateful I got her an appointment. The sooner she starts, the better. When she spoke up and told us that she was thinking of doing it, her voice was tinged with a mixture of vulnerability and determination, which both touched and emboldened me. I couldn’t have been more proud of her in that moment.

I see a flicker of that indomitable spirit she had when we first met, and even with the pain that still radiates from her, it’s there, ready to resurface.

My reaction to support her every step of the way is instinctive, born out of a deepening connection over the last few weeks, but I feel that pull, one that is more than friendship.

I’ve found myself drawn to her in ways I’m still struggling to comprehend fully, and I’ll need to address it with Noah soon because I’m sure I’m not alone in this—he has my heart, and I will always be honest. But I see it in him, too, how he’s so attentive to her. His silent reassurance is a testament to his growing feelings towards her.

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