Page 23 of Love at a 7-Eleven

He was confident that he could be easygoing and have a low-key conversation with Lila about it, but he walked into the diner and saw her sitting there, and suddenly he was nervous about it.

"It was his choice not to eat," he said to himself in an inaudible whisper.

"Heyyy," Lila said, standing to greet him when he walked inside.

She was delightful—a complete joy. Her jade-green eyes looked like home to him. He embraced her, feeling like it had been a lifetime since he saw her even though they were together last night. He leaned down and kissed her on the lips before pulling back and moving toward his seat. He had kissed her before, but never right out in the open for all the world to see.

"Hello, to you, too," Lila said smiling at him as she settled in the seat across from him. She looked happy, and that made Caleb feel like all was right with the world.

Chapter 9

Lila

Caleb Caldwell came into the diner like a vision in all-black, sharp athletic clothes. I was already feeling like I was head over heels, and then he leaned down and kissed me on the mouth. He was unashamed about doing it, and my heart soared. I felt like life couldn't get any better. In those seconds, as he was walking into the diner and greeting me, I was a princess and Caleb Caldwell was a knight in shining armor. It crossed my mind that it was too good to be true.

Within two minutes, I found out that it was.

Caleb looked at me with a different expression the second our waitress finished taking his order and walked away. It was like he was waiting for us to be alone.

"We need to talk about something before we get started."

"Oh, no," I said, shaking my head.

He had a serious expression, but I still had hope that whatever he had to say wasn't going to be a big deal. There was a little doubt, though.

"I had a whole good way of saying this… I had a thing planned out that I was going to say, and… now I'm looking at you, and it seems like it's going to be hard. I want no hurdles between us, Lila. I'm sorry for what I'm about to say."

"Oh, gosh, don't even… are you messing with me?"

I smiled. He was a funny guy, and he messed with me and teased me sometimes. I prayed this was one of those times.

He did not smile.

"I've been thinking about this all day, and there's just no way to… I'm sorry. I'm fumbling. This isn't… it shouldn't be a big deal. I don't think it's that big of a deal."

"Then why are you making it one?"

"Because it's real-life stuff. I know it's early to be getting that deep and serious with you, but I need to because your answers to some of these questions are going to affect my decisions moving forward. I have to adjust my sails based on how you react."

I blinked at him. He was nervous and anxious, and I felt in my bones that this was some kind of bad news.

"Is there another woman in California, Caleb?" I was staring straight at him when I asked it. My tone was quiet and serious. He started to say something and then he sighed, looking defeated.

My heart broke in that moment. I suddenly knew I was the outsider, and I was crushed about it. I felt sick to my stomach.How was it that he walked in and kissed me just before this?I had assumed all was well.

"Would you please hear me out about it?" he asked, seeing my expression change.

I squinted at him. "Did you lie to me about there being someone else?"

Even as I asked it, I glanced down and evaluated the things on the table. I could pick up the books and bag and be on my way within seconds.

"No. I didn't lie. I'm not with anyone."

I tilted my head, looking confused. "Then what are you telling me right now?"

"I do need to talk to you about someone who's in my life in California, but it's not romantic."

"Do you have a daughter?"

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