Page 6 of Caleb

For a moment, Caleb’s body froze, his coffee cup halfway to his mouth. His brain scrambled to process what his eyes were seeing.

What the hell is she doing here?

He hadn’t seen Taylor in years—hadn’t expected to see her ever again if he were being honest. But here she was, looking composed and professional like she’d stepped straight out of a lifestyle magazine.

Was she the woman his meddling, grandmotherly ghost had been predicting would turn his life upside down? Caleb scoffed at the thought, his jaw tightening. He’d been there, done that, and had the scars to prove it. No way was he signing up for a second ride on that roller coaster of heartbreak. Not again.

Of course, he’d been the one to end things. What choice had he really had? The situation at home had spiraled out of control, forcing him out of school to wade into the wreckage of his parents’ toxic marriage. He’d needed to step in to try to salvage what little was left, though deep down, he’d known it was a losing battle.

But he hadn’t been about to tell Taylor any of that. The chaos, the shame, the weight of it all—it wasn’t something he could burden her with. So, he’d taken the coward’s way out, cutting things off cleanly and making her think it was his choice. It was easier that way—or so he’d told himself at the time.

His first instinct was to turn around and walk the other way. Unfortunately, he couldn’t very well hide in the middle of the room without spilling hot coffee down his shirt.

As if sensing his panic, Taylor turned her head, her sharp gaze scanning the room. Caleb ducked behind a pillar, nearly colliding with a woman carrying a tray of croissants.

“Sorry,” he muttered, maneuvering further to where no one could see him.

The woman shook her head and placed the croissants on a table next to the coffee. What was he going to do?

They hadn’t parted on the best of terms. A phone call during the worst time of his life was no excuse for how he’d ended things between them. And yet, it was for the best, but he didn’t want to talk to her.

Especially in light of what Eugenia had said to him before he left. No, he was not getting married. That ghost could haunt him the rest of his days, but he would be the one she couldn’t find someone to marry.

Glancing around from behind the pillar, he didn’t see her. But, damn, she was still as gorgeous as the last time he saw her in college.

Think, Caleb. Think.He needed a strategy. If he could just get through the day without running into her?—

Stepping around the other side of the pillar, she stopped in front of him. Her lips twitched, but it wasn’t a smile, more like the start of a smirk on her beautiful face.

“Caleb Burnett” came her familiar voice, low and incredulous, sending tremors racing up his spine.

Damn it.

Taylor stood a few feet away, one eyebrow arched. Her arms were crossed over her blazer, the posture both commanding and unnervingly familiar.

“Taylor. Fancy meeting you here.”

Her brows raised. “Didn’t know if you’d even graduated from college.”

Of course, she didn’t. He’d finished his degree online, having to take over the entire semester due to his parents’ deaths.

What could he say without a long, lengthy explanation that he wouldn’t share with anyone?

“I graduated,” he finally said.

She nodded.

“I assume you’re here for work?”

He shifted his coffee cup to his other hand, unsure what to do with the sudden weight of her gaze. “Yeah. The ranch.”

Taylor nodded once, her expression giving nothing away. Caleb’s eyes darted to the floor, back to her face, and finally to the nearest booth. He couldn’t read her, making him more uncomfortable than he cared to admit.

“Well,” she said, her tone cool but not unkind, “I’m sure you’re busy, so?—”

“Right,” Caleb said quickly, latching onto the out. “Good to see you, Taylor.”

“You too.”

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