Page 45 of Heartstruck at Dawn
“Look, I just hung up with him a few minutes ago. I was about to let you know when you called me.” Caleb seemed genuine about it. “I’m sorry. It’s not my call to make. I do want you to have fun.” He glanced at the elevator. Nathan had just stepped out and was walking our way. He was in a full suit looking all—business.Damn.
“Hi, again,” he said with a smile. “So, who’s in charge?” He laughed.
I jerked my chin toward Caleb because my father was out of town, and Caleb did an awesome job representing him while he was away.
“Hey, mate. I’m Nathan.”
Caleb introduced himself and shook Nathan’s hand. But he already knew who Nathan was. He knew him better than I did at this point.
My phone buzzed—my father. I asked Caleb to fill Nathan in while I took the call. I didn’t want him to leave. I wanted to apologize, but I needed my father to explain why he disapproved of Nathan.
“Hey,Dad…Yes, Caleb just told me…Why?He said everything was looking good…Dad,come on. Really?”
I took a few steps away from them. Nathan kept making small talk with Caleb.Did I just see Caleb laughing?
“Mom was twelve years younger than you.And we’re just having fun.He’s good friends with the Sjöbergs,and it’s too late now to look for a date.I need to take someone,or else I won’t get in the party.”
His issue with Nathan was the age difference. Too old for me, he said. I kept arguing with my father when Nathan approached me. He lifted his index finger, asking to hear him out for a second.
I muted the call, and he extended his hand out to me. “Let me talk to him.”He’s insane! “Trust me. I’ll take care of it.”
My father is going to kill me.
I gave Nathan the phone because doing so was the only hope I had left. “Don’t follow me,” he warned. “It’s best if you don’t listen.” He winked at me and took the call. “Mr. Murphy, this is Nathan Saunders …” He walked away, and that was the last thing I could hear.
I rushed back to Caleb and waited for Nathan to end the call with my father. “He’s cool,” Caleb said, placing his hands inside his pockets.
“He’s—cool?” I placed my hand on Caleb’s forehead. “You don’t seem to have a fever. Or wait, maybe you’re just dehydrated.” He laughed. I laughed. It felt nice.
“I just want you to be happy,” he said with a tight-lip smile.
“Me too.” I smiled back and stared at him for a few seconds. “But I really need a date for the party, or CJ will kill me.” I chuckled. “At this point, I don’t care if it’s Nathan or anyone else. I mean, I just met him yesterday. He seems nice, but I’mdonedating for a while.”
Caleb squinted at me as in,I don’t believe you. I shoved his shoulder.
Nathan kept talking and gesturing in the distance. Smiling. Chuckling. Rubbing his cheek. Running a hand through his brown wavy hair. Smiling again. I was so curious about how that conversation was going.
“So—are you done being a robot?” I asked Caleb. “I like seeing you like this—smiling. Happy. But you’re always mad at me now. It’s exhausting.”
“I know. I’m sorry about yesterday and these past few days. I was a jerk.” He was. “I’m not—madat you.You have to understand”—he rubbed his neck—“Your father put me in a challenging and awkward position. Just give me some time, Red.”There you go.I felt lighter just by hearing him call me that. “Let’s just keep it profesh around your father, okay?”
“Deal. I won’t hug you ever again, okay?”
He laughed. “It doesn’t have to beever. But I think he’s happier not knowing the details of our—friendship.”
I smiled and heard Nathan’s voice drawing near.
Nathan laughed and said, “Of course,Mr. Murphy…James,yes…You can count on it…I’ll put your daughter back on the phone…Cheers, have a good weekend.”
Nathan handed my phone back to me.
“Dad?…Okay…Okay. Of course, that sounds perfect…Thank you so much…I’ll let them know…Yes…No,I know…We’ll talk tomorrow…Thanks…Love you too…Bye.”
I was inshock. Caleb offered me a small smile, probably assuming Nathan had convinced my father somehow. “We’ll be downstairs, Miss Murphy. Let us know when you’re ready to leave.” He nodded at Nathan and winked at me before he disappeared off to the emergency exit.
“What onEarthdid you say to my father?” I asked Nathan immediately. I was more than impressed. “I think I might be requiring your legal services more often.”
He laughed. “I ah—did my ownlittle researchon you. And hear this, my boss Oliver Chapman is a good friend of your father’s. We talked a bit about that and agreed to grab a pint sometime next week when he arrives from D.C.”
