Page 25 of Tempting My Nemesis

“Caleb...” Her voice trails off as if she’s about to say something important but then thinks better of it.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.” She shakes her head and smiles again, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes this time.

We fall back into our tasks—her chopping vegetables and me stirring sauce—but the ease between us feels different now. More loaded.

Maybe this is what a real relationship could be like, I think. But even as the thought crosses my mind, unease settles in my chest.

Is this just part of our agreement? Or is there something real here?

The questions lingers as we continue cooking dinner together in comfortable silence.

The dining area is dimly lit, casting soft shadows that dance across the walls. The table is set simply but elegantly, with two plates waiting for the meal we’ve prepared together. I pour the wine, the deep red liquid catching the light as it fills each glass.

“Smells good,” I say, my voice betraying more warmth than usual.

Zoe smiles, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Let’s hope it tastes as good.”

I watch her serving the food, noting the way she moves with a mix of grace and steadiness. This woman has changed everything.

We sit down, and I take a sip of my wine. “So, did that last meeting go well?”

She lights up at the question, her enthusiasm palpable. “It went really well. They were impressed with the new direction we’re taking.”

I nod, feeling a swell of pride. “I’m not surprised. You’ve got a solid vision for Archer Innovations. It’s only a matter of time before they jump on board.”

Zoe looks down at her plate for a moment before meeting my gaze again. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Caleb. Your strategies really turned things around.”

“I just gave you a nudge. You did the hard work.”

She laughs softly. “Maybe, but it feels like we’re in this together now.”

Her words hang in the air between us, laden with more meaning than either of us wants to acknowledge aloud. I take another sip of wine to buy myself time to think.

“Zoe,” I begin, hesitating as I search for the right words. “You’ve done an incredible job with Archer Innovations. You should be proud.”

She looks at me with something akin to vulnerability in her eyes. “Thank you. It means a lot coming from you.”

We eat in silence for a moment, and I find myself reflecting on how much I’ve invested in her success—both professionally and personally. This was supposed to be just business, but it’s become so much more.

“When did you first realize you wanted to turn things around?” I ask.

She pauses, considering her answer. “After my father passed away, everything felt like it was falling apart. I knew I had to do something to keep his dream alive.”

“And you’ve done that,” I say quietly. “You’ve made him proud.”

She smiles again, but there’s a hint of sadness in her eyes. “I hope so.”

The conversation turns back to business—discussing potential investors and future strategies—but there’s an undercurrent of something deeper between us now.

I listen closely as she talks about her plans for Archer Innovations, feeling a sense of pride that surprises me with its intensity. This is her victory, but I had a hand in it too.

“So,” she says, breaking me out of my thoughts, “what do you think our next move should be?”

I lean back in my chair, considering her question carefully.

“We need to solidify these investor relationships first and then focus on expanding your market reach.”

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