Page 71 of The Fun Part
“I know he likes you.”
I take a sip of water, not sure what to say.
“It’s the way he says your name. He hasn’t been serious about anyone since college.”
“What do you mean? He lived with someone recently.”
She shakes her head. “He locked up his heart after Brenda. She was his college girlfriend for a year and a half. They were pretty serious. She died in a car accident about a year after Mom died.”
Poor Cal!“I had no idea.”
She leans forward, her voice low, even though Cal’s not here. “I probably shouldn’t have said anything. I don’t want you to be scared off because he’s not very expressive. He’s cautious. I always thought Rayna—that’s the woman he lived with—was someone he chose because she understood his dedication to work. She was, too, which meant their time together was limited.”
I understand cautious. After I was cheated on by the man I thought was the One (what a silly romantic notion), I shut down all other possibilities. But the grief that Cal’s been through must’ve been tremendous. He never shared that part of his life with me. I guess I haven’t talked about my past either. Fake dating doesn’t exactly lead to intimacy. We enjoyed each other’s company in the moment.
That’s not a bad thing, right? Except part of me longs to know him better.
I notice Sutton adjusting her engagement ring like she wants me to comment on it. “So you’re engaged. Congratulations!”
She beams and holds it out for me to admire. “Thank you! I’m excited. It’s been a long time coming.”
“Wow. And you’ve never dated anyone else?”
“Nope. Just one man.”
“He must be special.”
She turns her ring in the light, admiring the small diamond. “He is. I hope you understand why I’m not going to accept the promotion. I’m building a life here with John.”
The doorbell rings. She leaps to answer it. I wipe my face for crumbs and smooth back my hair.
“Cal!” She throws her arms around him. He hugs her back and gives her ponytail a tug.
“How’re you doing, beanpole?”
She beams. “You’re the beanpole.”
He shifts and notices me for the first time. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
You could cut the awkward tension with a knife. I did bolt from his apartment. I didn’t know what to do. I nearly kissed him, and my track record of kissing and not hooking up with him is abysmally low. It’s weird now. I don’t know what to do with him and all these unrequited feelings. Does he have feelings for me buried deep down?
Sutton looks between us curiously.
“I’ll get you a brownie!” Sutton carols, disappearing into the kitchen.
Cal puts a duffel bag and his coat to the side of the sofa and joins me. “Did you talk to Sutton about the job?”
“Not yet, but I’m not here to convince anyone. Just chime in with the facts. Her fiancé is stopping by after work, and I think she’s hoping we can celebrate with a little engagement party. She talked about ordering takeout from a restaurant she and John like.”
Sutton returns, handing him a warm brownie on a napkin.
“Thanks,” Cal says. He doesn’t take a bite, just stares at his little sister.
Sutton thrusts her hand out, showing off her diamond engagement ring. “I’m engaged!”
He takes her hand and examines the ring. “Kinda small.”
