Page 30 of Redemption

But the heart of my protestation is real. Accurate. No matter what passing attraction he might feel, he holds his heart and his feelings in a merciless grip. He’ll never let himself fall for a client.

And hoping it will happen is a recipe for heartbreak.

“You don’t know that. It seems like he’s been acting pretty devoted.”

“It’s his job,” I snap toward Brandy, then feel bad for my tone and soften it. “I’m sorry. But you’re not helping me by trying to convince me to pine for this. It’s one of those hopeless deals. And honestly, I don’t need the stress and angst of a relationship—particularly not a doomed one. It’s not going to be good for me.”

“Okay.” Brandy doesn’t look convinced, but she’s clearly backing down.

“We get it. You know yourself best. If you say it’s a no-go, we believe you.”

I smile at Greg, feeling better. Still flustered but more composed. “Now can we please change the subject and talk about something else?”

* * *

That evening, after my friends have left and I’ve cleaned up the kitchen, I head for my bedroom, ready to get lost in a book. My focus has returned after my concussion, so I’m finally able to read again.

As I’m walking the hall and passing the guest room, the sound of a voice inside the room distracts me.

It’s Caleb. Obviously. He’s the only other person in the house since Mick is checking the perimeter, which he does every hour all through the night. The voice has to be Caleb’s, and I’d recognize it even in a different context. Even muffled by the closed door.

I assume he’s talking to Mick or Trey or maybe reporting in with an update to William or Arthur, and I’m about to keep walking.

Then I hear him saying clearly, “Mom, you need to stop.”

I pause again. It’s wrong. Absolutely wrong to eavesdrop. But it’s also irresistible, and clearly I’m not strong enough to withstand the temptation.

So I listen.

“I told you you’re wrong about that.” He sounds different than usual. More relaxed. Almost soft, even though he’s clearly impatient about their conversation.

He sounds like a son might sound with his mother.

“I know what you think. It’s what you’ve thought for years no matter how many times I tell you to stop hoping for ridiculous things.”

I wish I could hear the other side of the conversation. There are too many things this might be about, and I have no clear background to work with in deciphering it.

“Yes,” he continues after a minute. “I know. You’re not imagining the whole thing out of nothing. But there’s not anything to hope for here, and I don’t want you to be disappointed when it doesn’t work out with the happy ending you’re looking for.” A brief pause. “Yes, I do know how she feels. She’s a client. And anything more than professionalism is prompted by a very unnatural situation rather than anything real.”

Oh shit. Is his mom actually quizzing him about me?

Maybe it’s a different client. Maybe I’m misunderstanding. I need to get my heart back into its proper place in my chest because it’s suddenly exploded into wild flutters.

“I know, Mom. I know. I know you just want me to be happy. I am happy. I’ve got a good life. I don’t—” She must have interrupted him because he’s quiet for a minute before he adds, so softly I can barely hear it, “Yeah. Maybe I sometimes want more. But that doesn’t mean I have to have it.”

My throat aches so much I can barely swallow. That’s how much the admission touches me. Even without the full context.

“Okay. I can’t stop you from hoping. But in this situation, I don’t think you know better than me.”

I smile at that and then realize it sounds like the conversation is about to end. There’s no way in hell I can be caught eavesdropping. I quietly walk the rest of the way down the hall until I reach my bedroom. I close the door, making the latch click as soundlessly as I can.

Caleb doesn’t have another client. Not right now. Not anytime recently. He’s been working exclusively for the Worthings for years.

He must have been talking about me. His mom must believe he’s into me or something, and she wants to encourage the relationship.

That’s not really surprising. Moms will often do that kind of thing. Not that I have personal experience since I never knew my own mom, but still… It’s common knowledge.

She’s trying to press for something to happen between me and Caleb, and he very obviously shut her down.

---