I placed the receiver back in its cradle and stood up from my chair, my body moving on autopilot as I headed to Caleb’s office.
Eyes tracked me the whole way, but I didn’t care. I wasn't worried.
There was nothing going on between us anyway.
When I reached his door, I paused, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves.
My hand trembled as I turned the knob, pushing it open with a slight creak that felt louder than it should have.
I stepped inside, the familiar scent of polished wood and the faint trace of his cologne hitting me instantly.
Caleb was behind his desk, engrossed in some papers, his brow furrowed in concentration.
His head snapped up when I walked in, his gaze sharp, intense, and too damn penetrating.
“Close the door,” he ordered, not breaking eye contact.
I obeyed, the soft click of the door closing behind me sounding final, like a judge’s gavel.
My heart was pounding, a drumbeat in my ears, drowning out any logical thoughts.
I walked to the chair across from him, trying to ignore the pounding in my chest and the heat creeping up my neck.
I was supposed to be composed, professional, but right now, that was the last thing I felt.
As I glanced up, something on his desk caught my eye.. a large takeaway bag, the kind you’d get from a place like KFC. The familiar red and white logo screamed out at me, pulling my focus entirely.
I froze. What the hell?
He noticed my stare and nodded toward the bag.
“I got you breakfast.”
For a second, I didn’t know how to react.
Breakfast? My thoughts stumbled, trying to process what he just said.
Shock mixed with confusion, swirling in my chest. Why would Caleb go out of his way like this?
“I… no, I didn’t ask for…” The words fumbled out of my mouth, my cheeks heating up. I’d told him I’d grab something myself, didn’t expect this.
“You didn’t ask,” he agreed, a smirk tugging at his lips, “but that doesn’t mean I can’t do something nice for you, does it?”
I shifted in my seat, my heart doing that stupid fluttering thing again. What was his deal? Why was he being so… attentive?
“You’re staring at it like it’s going to bite you,” he teased, his voice low, sending a shiver down my spine.
I forced a weak smile, dropping my gaze to my hands, fiddling with the bracelet on my wrist. “It’s just… unexpected. I’m not used to people doing things for me.”
His expression softened, and he reached into the bag, pulling out a steaming cup of coffee. “Well, get used to it.”
My heart skipped a beat, and I swallowed hard. Stop it, I told myself. Don’t let this get to you.
“But… I mentioned earlier that I was planning to grab something to eat,” I mumbled, trying to regain some composure.
“So, have you gotten anything yet?” he shot back, raising an eyebrow.
I shook my head, suddenly feeling very small under his gaze. “No, I was trying to sort some things out first.”
“Then take it,” he insisted, his tone firm but gentle.
I hesitated, glancing at the bag. This felt too intimate, too close. But something inside me, something stupid and soft, couldn’t resist.
Maybe it was the way he looked at me, like he actually cared. I reached out, taking the bag from his desk. The warmth of the food seeped through the paper, grounding me in the moment.
“Thank you,” I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips. I couldn’t bring myself to look him in the eye, afraid of what I might see.. concern, maybe something more.
“You can go to the dining room to eat,” Caleb suggested, his voice softer now.
I nodded, clutching the bag like a lifeline, but I didn’t move.
My mind was a whirlpool of conflicting emotions. What was Caleb doing? Why was he showing me this level of care? My heart wouldn’t stop its relentless fluttering.
You can’t do this, I scolded myself silently. You can’t let him get to you.
Caleb’s voice snapped me back to reality. “There’s a new project I want you to work on,” he said, his tone shifting back to the no-nonsense Caleb I knew.
I forced myself to focus. “Oh really? What’s the project?” I asked, hoping my voice didn’t betray the turmoil inside.
“It’s a design contract from one of our top clients,” he explained, sliding a folder across the desk toward me. “And it’s going to be your first assignment in your new position.”
I reached for the folder, my fingers trembling slightly as I opened it.
Inside were detailed notes, sketches, everything the client wanted.
This was huge, a project that could make or break my career.
My heart raced with excitement. He was trusting me with this?
Caleb watched me, his gaze steady. “I trust you with this,” he said quietly, the weight of his words settling over me.
I looked up at him, a swirl of gratitude, excitement, and something else.. something I couldn’t name.. bubbling up inside me.
“I won’t let you down,” I promised, my voice stronger than I felt.
He nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I know you won’t.”
As I stood there, the folder in one hand, the takeaway bag in the other, I couldn’t shake the weird thoughts and feelings within me.
Get a grip, Sam. Seriously.
I forced myself to breathe, but everything felt jumbled up inside.. gratitude, excitement, and something else again, I didn’t want to name.
I shifted awkwardly, realizing I’d been standing there too long, feeling his eyes on me.
“If that’s all, can I…?” My voice came out more tentative than I wanted.
Caleb’s gaze lingered for a beat, then he nodded. “Sure,” he said, his tone unreadable.
I turned to leave, trying to shake off the weird feelings swirling around me.
But as I reached the door, his phone rang. I heard him sigh, a reluctant, almost annoyed sound.
My hand froze on the knob, and I couldn’t help but listen.
“Monica, what is it this time?” His voice was sharp.
Monica? A woman.
The name made my stomach twist and I couldn't place why.
Oh, stop it, Sam. What is wrong with you? You’re being ridiculous.
Without waiting to hear more, I pushed the door open and practically fled down the hallway.
My thoughts were a mess, clashing with each step I took.
This was stupid. There’s nothing between Caleb and me.
There’s no reason to feel this way.
I quickened my pace, the sound of my heels on the floor matching the frantic beat of my heart.
I reached my desk, dropping the folder and the bag onto it with more force than I intended. I closed my eyes, trying to breathe, trying to calm the storm inside me.
But all I could think about was Caleb’s voice when he said her name, and how much I wished it didn’t bother me.
Damn it Sam, you're losing it.. you are fuc**ng losing it!