Page 90 of Untethered Heart
“It’s nice to see you again.” I smile. Caleb squeezes my hip, reassuring me as my voice wobbles over the words.
“You know, Hazel,” Matilda starts, “he’s never actually given her that distinction. We’ve seen the photos from the beach, we know he took off after Christmas, but he’s never actually confirmed who she is.”
Caleb’s mother and grandmother hold hands as they grin with way too much teeth.
Caleb sighs. “Lex. This is my mother, Matilda, and my grandmother, Hazel. Mum. Grams. This is my Lex.” I can feel his eyes on me. When I look up at him, his face is soft with emotion. “My girlfriend.”
The words are so simple, so clear, but the way he says them carries more weight than I can handle. I’ve dated before, but I’ve never felt so held by someone’s affection. Their devotion. The way Caleb claims me, with such pride, but also disbelief. Like he can’t believe that I’m standing by his side, letting him call me his.
In reality, with what I’ve lost in life, I can’t believe that Caleb Heart is one of the things I’ve found.
Chapter forty-three
I think this is the first time I’ve truly had fun at a black-tie event.
Most of the time, they only feel like a place to maintain relationships in the business world. Potentially meet someone to sneak off with later if I didn’t bring someone with me.
With Lex, my cheeks ache from smiling so hard. I’ve introduced her to as many people as I can find, boasting about Legacy Malt and Jed’s Tavern. I’ve even name-dropped Claire’s salon for making my girl look so lovely tonight. Not that Lex needs help in that department. She always looks stunning to me.
When I first noticed her standing with Gage, my heart stopped. Her red hair is pulled back into a sleek high ponytail, gold crystals hanging within the strands. The tight bodice of her dress is covered in pearls and gold sequins, and falls into a soft tulle skirt. She looks like a goddess. A siren queen. My Siren.
“I’m just going to the bathroom, and then we’ll make our debut on the dancefloor. Sound good?” I say into Lex’s ear.
We’ve just finished the dining course. The whole time we’ve been at the table, she’s had a hand resting on my thigh. It felt so possessive, so wonderfully claiming. Her cheeks are slightly flushed from the champagne she’s been sipping all night.
My sister forced us all to have a shot at the start of the night, even our parents and grandparents were roped into that one, butit felt so nice to have Lex included in that moment. She felt like she had always belonged with us.
I smile as she nods to my question, places a quick kiss on my cheek, then turns back to her conversation with my mother and Beth.
I get stopped a few times on my way to the bathroom, but manage to escape any drawn-out conversations. I manage to avoid a long queue, getting in and out of the bathroom quickly. Once I’m on my way back to our table, I spot James and Jackson by the bar, leaning in and talking with serious expressions. I should probably make conversation with them, but I’ll wait until I can coerce Gage to join me so we can keep the focus on Smoke and Barrel and not give James the opportunity to bring up Lex. Especially since we’ve been very open with our relationship tonight. I pivot in the crowd to try to avoid the High Rollers’ line of sight and instead cross another path I’d rather avoid.
“Caleb. I was hoping to run into you tonight.”
Mia grabs my hand, pulling me down so she can kiss my cheek. She uses the move to step far too close into my body, making my pulse spike, and I quickly step back.
“Hi, Mia. How are you?”
“Work keeps me busy.” She shrugs. “Although I was disappointed I didn’t hear back from you. Didn’t you get my text?”
I shove my hands in my pockets, trying to look casual and disinterested. I don’t want to give her any ideas. I could lie and say I didn’t get it. Say I changed my number. But all that would do is spare Mia’s feelings when Lex’s are the only ones I care for. “Actually, I have a serious girlfriend now. I’ve blocked anyone from the past from my phone. I don’t want anything to disrupt what I’m building with Lex.”
Her eyebrows jump up. “So, it’s true?”
“What?”
“I’ve heard chatter all night that Caleb Heart brought a girlfriend, but I didn’t believe it.”
“I’m happy to confirm it.” I smile.
“The playboy extraordinaire has been tamed,” she muses. “She must be quite special to have captured your attention enough that you’d put a label on it. I didn’t think you were interested in that.” She sways her hips in an over-the-top way as she crowds my space and rests a hand on my chest. “Especially when you used to be so eager to have casual fun. Multiple times.”
I step back again and bump into a table, halting any further retreat. “She is special. And if you don’t mind, she’s waiting for me.” I dart around Mia and throw myself into the crowd, eager to get back to Lex.
I drop into my chair and wrap a hand around Lex’s waist, leaving a kiss on her shoulder as I’m filled with a sense of gratitude to have her here with me, not just tonight, but in my life.
“Can I steal you for a dance now?” I whisper.
“I would love that.” She turns to say something to my mother and sister, then stands from her seat.
