Page 5 of Wishes for August

August.

I hit send and started packing up my things, shooting off a text to Branson to let him know that I should be at the gym within the next hour. As I was getting ready to close my laptop, a reply came in. Opening the email, my pulse kicked up a notch.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Bennett Properties Proposal - Briefing

I’m free now.

Caleb

Biting down a smile, I looked around the office. There were only a handful of people still on the floor, most having left for the day. Technically my work day was over and my best friend would be waiting. And after our encounter earlier in the day, I knew being in his presence wasn’t the greatest idea. And alone in his office, together? Probably a bad idea. But I appreciated that this was a big project and his message, though short, made it pretty clear that he wanted to talk about it right away.

Indecision warred in my mind but I shoved away thoughts of fluttering hearts and green eyes and strode over to his office, notebook in hand. His office door was slightly ajar when I arrived but I didn't want to just barge in so, with slightly trembling hands, I knocked lightly and waited.

“Come in.” I heard from behind the closed door. I pressed the door open fully and spotted Caleb standing against his floor to ceiling window, legs crossed at the ankles, holding a piece of paper in his hand, his posture relaxed but his brow furrowed. He looked at me and biting his bottom lip he stammered, “Ah August, sorry, I... I didn’t realise that it was…, what the time was when I sent you that message. We can do this tomorrow if you have somewhere to be?”

“No, it’s fine. I don’t have anywhere to be.”Lie.Branson was going to kill me for standing him up.

“Oh okay, that’s...” he started, “That’s great, take a seat.” Caleb went to put the paper he was holding down on his desk but it missed the desk and fell to the floor. He looked at it as if it had offended him before taking his seat, his eyes catching mine and holding my gaze. Blinking a few times, he looked away and cleared his throat before retrieving the paper from the floor.

“Have you heard of Bennett Properties?” he asked. I had heard of them in passing, they owned restaurants and a chain of hotels throughout the United Kingdom, America and in parts of Europe. Hotels that were far out of my budget.

“I have yes. Is that the hotel chain you mentioned?”

Caleb nodded. “A university buddy of mine, Noel Bennett, is the new owner. He recently took over from his father and he has offered us the opportunity to bid for the contract. It would be a sure thing, but he has to run it through the board of directors first.”

“Do you have any ideas of the direction they'd like to take this in?” I asked. I had experience working on large marketing campaigns but nothing of this size. It certainly was a great opportunity.

“I do, let me show you the brief Noel sent over.” Caleb spun his laptop around so I could read through the document. “Beats writing slogans for dog biscuits, doesn't it?”

I gave him a quizzical look. “Dog biscuits?”

“Yeah, before Noel mentioned this project I was going to tender for a contract with a pet food company. It had its perks though - free dog treats for life.” A small grin lifted the corner of his mouth.

“And that's a perk for you? You a fan of dog biscuits, Caleb? That your snack of choice?”

“Are you calling me a dog, August?” he joked.

“Yes, Caleb. I'm saying you're a big fluffy labrador,” I deadpanned.

Caleb raised his brow at me. “I can't tell if you're serious or not when you do that with your face,” he said, waving his hand up and down in front of me.

“You don't like my face?” I kept my expression as neutral as before and watched as he floundered to come up with something to say. Before he hurt himself trying to reply I laughed. “I’m joking Caleb. Seriously, I was messing with you.”

Caleb and I spent the next few hours jotting down ideas and it was nearly seven thirty by the time we threw down our pens and called it a day. With the business talk over, Caleb changed the subject.

“So August, do you live locally?” I would usually shut this “getting to know you” chat down straight away but we’d built a nice rapport over the evening and I’d even admit I had enjoyed his company.

“Not too far away, a couple of stops on the underground. My mate and I have a small apartment near Waterloo.”

“Mate? So not a um….” his words trailed off and he shook his head. “Sorry, that was too personal, ignore me.”

Oh, so he wanted to know who I lived with?

“No, it’s okay. I live with my best friend Branson. No boyfriend or girlfriend. I’m more of a lone wolf, if you know what I mean?” I winked at him, and he bit his lip.

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