Page 7 of Caleb

He turned and walked away, his stride purposeful but not hurried. At least not outwardly. His heart, however, had other ideas, thundering against his ribs like a herd of stampeding cattle.

The years had made her only more beautiful. While she had not been mean, she hadn’t been exactly friendly either. Obviously, she wanted nothing to do with him, and that was for the best.

Caleb spent the next hour moving through the convention hall like a man with a target on his back. He lingered too long at some booths and brushed off others entirely, all in an effort to avoid Taylor. He hadn’t expected seeing her to feel like a punch to the gut, but here he was, every nerve on edge.

She looked good—no, better than good. She looked... successful. Grounded. And entirely out of his league in a way she hadn’t back in college.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. The past wasn’t something he liked to dwell on. He’d made his choices, and they’d brought him here. But seeing Taylor was a reminder of everything he’d walked away from—and everything he hadn’t let himself want.

“You’re brooding.”

The familiar voice made Caleb jump, nearly knocking over a stack of pamphlets. He turned to see Eugenia’s ghost beside a booth featuring virtual reality ranch tours. Her form shimmered faintly under the fluorescent lights, but no one else seemed to notice her.

“What are you doing here?” Caleb hissed under his breath.

She gave him a knowing smile. “Just checking in. I see you’ve found her.”

“I’m not doing this right now.”

“Oh, but you are,” she said, her voice lilting. “You’re so flustered. I half expect you to trip over your own feet.”

“Go haunt someone else,” Caleb muttered, scanning the room for Taylor. Hoping that no one could hear him and think he was a lunatic.

“Not a chance, sweetness. I told you this was coming.” Eugenia tilted her head, her gaze softening. “You can’t avoid her forever, Caleb. Fate doesn’t work like that. Ask her to dinner. You two need to catch up.”

Before he could respond, Eugenia vanished, leaving Caleb alone with his swirling thoughts.

Like hell, that would only open old wounds that were better left with scars covering them. Yes, he’d cared about her so damn much. It had been terrifying and heartbreaking when he told her they were done. And she hadn’t taken it very well.

He slipped around the edge of the room, avoiding Taylor’s vicinity like she was a live wire. Every now and then, he glanced her way, his stomach twisting whenever she laughed or gestured animatedly.

Her confidence was electric, and he hated how easily she managed to pull him in. How easily he had fallen for her in college, and even now, he could feel those stirrings reawakening.

He reached the elevator bank, jabbing the up button with unnecessary force. He’d grab his notes from his room and regroup. Avoid her. Move on. That had always been the plan.

The elevator dinged, the doors sliding open, and Caleb hurried inside. Just as they were closing, a hand shot through the gap, triggering the sensors.

“Hold the door!”

His heart sank as Taylor Montgomery stepped inside.

She didn’t notice him at first, too busy adjusting the strap of her bag and checking her phone. Caleb’s breath caught as the doors closed behind her, trapping them together.

She glanced up, and their eyes locked.

Her expression froze for a split second before morphing into something that looked like shock and annoyance.

“Oh,” she said, her voice clipped. “Sorry, I would have waited.”

“Taylor,” Caleb managed, his throat dry.

The air between them turned thick and heavy. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to think of something—anything—to say.

“You look?—”

“Don’t,” she cut him off, holding up a hand. “Don’t even try.”

Okay, so small talk was off the table.

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