Page 53 of Sins of the Flesh
“Caleb, can I borrow you for a moment?”Charlotte croons at the doorway.
“Can it wait?I am working on an urgent matter with Cole that needs to be finalized by tomorrow.”Caleb says more sternly than I have ever heard from him, especially with Charlotte.
“Oh no, it's fine.I’ll stop by your office later.”Charlotte says, and I swear I can see a sinister look on her face, but only briefly before she walks away.
I turn back to Caleb, trying to hide my smirk."Well, that was different," I say, raising an eyebrow.He shrugs, but I catch a hint of a smile.
"Just focusing on what's important."Heat rises in my cheeks and I try to stifle a grin.I clear my throat.
"So, as I was saying," but my voice trails off as I hear a heavy sigh and thud outside the door.Caleb's head snaps up.
"What was that?"He steps around the prep table and I follow Charlotte is sprawled on the floor in the hallway unconscious.Is she really knocked out?I can almost believe she's as pretty as I’ve heard people say when her mouth is not moving.
Caleb rushes to her, pulling her limp body into his arms.“I'm going to take her to my office.Can you grab an ice pack from the freezer?”I nod and follow behind, stopping at the freezer on our way to his office.He settles her into his desk chair and pats her face gently “Charlotte can you hear me?”Her eyelids flutter and she groans.
"Oh, Caleb," she murmurs, her hand dramatically finding his forearm."I just felt so dizzy all of a sudden."
I hand Caleb the ice pack, fighting the urge to roll my eyes.This woman deserves an Oscar for this performance."Here, put this on your forehead," Caleb says, his tone professional but gentle."Have you eaten today?"
"I've been so busy with everything, I must have forgotten."Her eyes flutter open, landing directly on me with a flash of annoyance before softening as she turns back to Caleb."You're always taking care of everyone."
"I'll get you some water," I offer, needing an excuse to step away before I say something I'll regret.In the kitchen, I grip the edge of the sink, counting to ten as I fill a glass.When I return, Charlotte has her head resting on his wrist as he holds the ice pack to the back of her neck, with him kneeling beside her like some kind of guardian angel.It takes every ounce of willpower not to slam the water glass down.
"Here you go," I say, forcing a polite tone as I hand her the glass.Our fingers brush and she gives me a look that sends chills down my spine, not the good kind.
"Thank you, Cole."Her voice is honey-sweet but her eyes are pure venom.She takes a delicate sip."I hate to be such a bother."
"No bother at all," Caleb assures her, standing up."But perhaps you should see a doctor if this continues."
Charlotte reaches for his hand."Would you mind driving me home?I don't think I should be behind the wheel."
Before Caleb can answer, I interject "I can drive you, Mrs.Hendersen," I offer, surprising myself with the suggestion.I'd rather eat glass, but I need to keep an eye on her.
"Oh, that's not necessary," she says, her fingers tightening around Caleb's wrist."Caleb knows where I live, and I wouldn't want to take you away from your...blueprints."
Caleb glances at me, catching the tension in my jaw."Actually, Cole's suggestion makes sense.I have a meeting in thirty minutes that I can't reschedule."
“You know what I’ll just have my assistant take me but thank you both.”I watch her thumb fly over the screen, messaging her assistant with practiced efficiency.Less than a minute passes when a small girl with brown hair tied into a bun enters.
"Madame Mayor," she says with a timid voice."Your car is ready."
Caleb and I assist with getting Charlotte to the SUV, of course she is dramatically leaning more on Caleb.Since I am closest to the door, I grab her by her waist unexpectedly and deposit her into the passenger seat.Caleb shoots me an admonishing look and Charlotte gives me a menacing glare as I close the door in her face.Not today Satan, not today.
Twenty-Nine
Caleb
Salted Wound - Sia
Me:
Meet me in the chapel Saturday at 12 pm
Angel:
Ok?
Me:
