by Kahlen Aymes
Caleb’s teeth clenched, then he grabbed his glass and slammed his drink. “You know nothing about her. She never asked for anything.”
Macy laughed bitterly. “She doesn’t have to! You’re so blind. I never took you for a fool. Maybe she was doing your dad to steal everything from you. Ever think of that?”
“Enough!” he seethed. Macy was grasping at straws and he wasn’t about to fall for it. She would never make him doubt Wren, no matter what she said. “You won’t change my mind by being a bitch about Wren. The opposite is true. It was my decision that she inherits half of everything, not my father’s. He gave me the choice. What the hell do you think I’ve been agonizing over since we got here?”
“What?” she asked, her words halting in surprise. “Why? Out of some idiotic sense of duty?”
“No. To keep her in my life!” he burst out and Macy looked as if he’d slapped her. “I don’t have to explain anything to you, and I wouldn’t expect you to understand even if I tried.”
Macy paused for a few seconds as she processed his words, and more, his conviction. She could see him soften whenever he spoke about Wren, but she didn’t understand. “Cale…” she began, but he put up his hand to stop her.
“Don’t call me Cale, Macy.”
She poured herself another glass of wine, her feelings clearly hurt.
“I’m sorry. No one ever calls me Cale, except Wren.”
“So, you’re just going to give up everything for her?”
“I don’t look at it like that. She’s been a huge part of my life for ten years. It’s just the way it is.”
“Then why didn’t I know anything about her?”
“Because I keep my relationship with her close to the cuff. Growing up, even Dex didn’t know the truth. Don’t take it personally.” Even as he said the words, he knew it sounded absurd. Their relationship was casual, but they’d been intimate and now it was over. How could she not take it personally?
“What happens now? You’re giving up your job?”
“Yes,” he answered shortly.
“I can help you pack your things, if you want.” She appeared resigned to the inevitability of the situation and the finality of his decision, but helping him would keep the connection open.
The waiter showed up at the side of their table with their meal and sat a plate down in front of Macy first, then Caleb.
“Sir, would you care for another drink?”
“I would, thank you.” His appetite was dwindling after the conversation and he just wanted to get through the meal and check on Wren. “I think you should fly out in the morning and then in a few days, I’ll go back, give notice at the firm, and put my apartment on the market.”
“I see. Just like flipping a switch, everything is all fucked up?”
“Macy, I’m truly sorry. This wasn’t planned, you know that.” Caleb watched her face and he honestly felt bad for her. In the short time he’d known her, he would have sworn she wasn’t the type to get overly emotional and could have sworn they’d been on the same page.
“I thought we had a good thing.”
He had the grace to feel guilty. Truthfully, he didn’t love her, and he never said he did, and they did have fun together, but the events of the past few days had changed the course of his life forever. “We had fun, but we both know it wasn’t serious.” He felt like he was trying to close a deal, but there was no way to make it a win, win.
“You don’t have to be a prick about it, Caleb.” Her mouth pursed and the look she shot him was filled with hatred.
“I didn’t think I was.”
She picked up her fork, looked at her plate for a few seconds, and then sat it down beside it. “Can we just go?”
“Yes.” Caleb could barely hold in a sigh of relief.
When the waiter brought his new drink, he requested the bill.
***
ON THE WAY BACK to the house, Wren sat in quiet contemplation for most of the drive home.
It was too dark to see the outline of the mountains from the right side of the car as she looked out the window, but the city lights raced by as Jared drove on the highway. Jonesy reached out and placed an old hand over Wren’s young one when they only had a few blocks to go.
“Quite a day, wasn’t it?” she asked. “A penny for your thoughts.”
Wren turned her head to look at Jonesy whose features were shadowed due to the night and the dark windows of the limousine, which kept most of the passing lights from reaching the inside of the vehicle. Wren smiled sadly.
“My mind should be racing, I guess. I should be worried that this inheritance means I’ll have to give up the ballet or that my mother will try to pressure me to support her, but all I can think about is Caleb and Macy.”
Jonesy understood. Macy was like a clinging vine on the young man all day and she could sense Wren’s trepidation. “I understand, dear, but don’t worry about anything. You’ll talk to Caleb and he’ll take care of everything.”
Wren was filled with frustration at the uncertainty of the future. “But that’s not fair, Jonesy. He doesn’t deserve to babysit me my entire life. He doesn’t deserve to be responsible for me. I don’t want him to be tied to me because of the estate and Lux.”
Jonesy smiled knowingly. “Wren,” she said simply. “I understand. You want him to be tied emotionally.”
Wren’s head bowed and she fiddled with the strap on her purse. It made her vulnerable to admit it, so she only nodded.
“You don’t think he does what he does out of responsibility, do you?” Jonesy asked incredulously.
Wren shrugged slightly. “Cale always made me his responsibility. Maybe that’s why his dad did this.”
Jonesy shook her grey haired head. “I don’t think so, honey. You’ll see.”
Jared had pulled up in front of the house and walked around to open the back passenger door. Both women slid out and made their way inside after thanking him.
“Do you want anything to eat?”
“Don’t bother with me, Jonesy.” Wren hugged her and kissed her cheek. “I’m just going to take a bath, read the letter Edison left for me, and then go to bed.”
“If Caleb comes back and asks for you, should I tell him you’re asleep?”
“If he asks. Goodnight. I love you.”
“I love you, too, darling. Don’t worry about anything. Just get a good night’s sleep.”
“I will.” She started up the stairs, anxious to close her eyes, but curious about the contents of the letter. The envelope was pulled from her purse and she was ripping it open before she even made it to her room.
Wren let her purse drop and kicked her shoes off right inside as the door closed behind her before unfolding the sheet of paper with a short, handwritten note on it.
My Dearest Wren,
I wanted to tell you it was a pleasure to have you as my daughter for the few years I had you. I’m very proud of you for going after your dream and making the life you wanted for yourself.
If you’re reading this, it means you’ve been bequeathed half of the estate and my equity in Lux. I hope that it will bring only good things to your life, including bringing you and Caleb back together.
It’s only fair to tell you that there were two versions of the will and I required Caleb to choose between them. It was my fault that he left to go to Boston and away from you, and he was devastated. I wanted to right the wrong, so I put control over his relationship with you back into his own hands.
I’m certain he has not taken the decision lightly and has done what he believes puts you first. That’s what he has always done. I’ve seen it a hundred times.
Have a happy life.
With love,
Edison
Wren was softly crying when she finished reading Edison’s letter. So, it was Caleb that gave her half of everything, not his father. She wasn’t sure if her heart was shattering, or if it was so full of the love she felt for him making her heart about to burst. She needed an
swers, but she was physically and emotionally exhausted. Two fat tears tumbled from her eyes and rolled down over her high cheekbones.
Laying the letter down on the end table to the right of her bed, she began to peel off her clothes, letting the new jacket and dress fall to the floor without a thought.
Soon the steaming water and soft lilac aroma of her bath water was soothing her nerves. The combination of the candles and soft scent made her close her eyes and relax in the luxurious gently sloped tub. Even with her eyes closed, the heat seeping into her muscles, and a conscious effort to clear her mind, it wasn’t possible. She was sleepy, no question, but her mind tortured her with doubts about Caleb and Macy, when he’d be home, and his motivation for giving her half of his money.
When it came down to it, that was the bottom line and she had to face it. She inhaled deeply. The flickering of the candles glowed orange and black behind her closed lids as she lifted a hand and leaned her forehead against it.
Last night had been magical; so euphoric it was like a drug, so why did she doubt a single second of it now? The money would make life easier in some respects and harder in others. Without it, she could be sure what was between them was based on emotion. Part of her wished he hadn’t given her half of the estate, then, if they ended up in each other’s life, it would be because they chose it, and nothing else.
He hadn’t said he loved her, but she felt so close to him; they were so connected, it was if they breathed for each other. That raw emotion was more important to her than any amount of money, more important than her career, or where they lived. If she could only have one thing from Caleb for the rest of her life, the only thing she wanted was his love. She wouldn’t have any doubts if Caleb were with her, here, instead of being out to dinner with Macy. However, he was with Macy, so what if she’d misinterpreted the previous evening? What if it were only another weak moment? How could she be around him, if he was still involved with Macy?
A small sob broke from her chest as she let herself cry. It hurt too much to bottle it up inside and she wouldn’t have been able to, even if she’d wanted to. How could she tell Cale that she didn’t want the money without sounding ungrateful? The last thing she wanted was to hurt him or make him think she didn’t appreciate the gesture, but could she tell him the truth? How much she loved him was the only secret she’d ever kept from him. Wren had overcome the things that used to intimidate or scare her, and she had Caleb to thank for it. By leaning on his strength, she’d been able to find her own confidence; yet, he was the one who held power over her and kept her in a place she was still very vulnerable.
When the temperature got tepid, she turned on the hot water faucet to add more, but when that cooled, too, she reluctantly climbed out of the tub, dried off and then pulled on a pair of old shorts and t-shirt to sleep in. Her lonely bed held no allure.
Wren didn’t want to know what time it was as she brushed her hair and cleaned her teeth, then shut off the lights and climbed beneath the plush comforter of her bed. She was thankful for the comfort of the mattress and pillows that seemed to swallow her up and hug her body. Her eyes were tired from all of the tears, and she looked forward to the blissful blankness of sleep that would give her mind and heart a much-needed break.
She shivered for a moment, until her body heat began to warm the sheets and blankets. She rolled over and grabbed the opposite pillow, pulling it close to her chest to hug it. The faint scent of Caleb lingered, evidence that he had spent at least a couple of hours with her when he’d put her to bed last night and she found herself wishing it were twenty-four hours earlier.
There was a faint knock on her door and she immediately sat up, leaning her weight on one arm. The room was almost dark because the blinds were down.
“Yes?” she called. She hadn’t locked the door, despite Macy’s previous intrusions. “Who’s there?”
The door opened a crack and a beam of light fell into the room and across the bed, causing her to squint in protest and she lifted a hand to ward it off.
“It’s me,” Caleb said softly. “Did I wake you?”
Wren’s heart leapt at the sound of his voice. “I just got into bed a few minutes ago.” There were no other occupied rooms on the second floor, but both of them spoke in low tones.
“I can let you sleep, but I thought you might want to talk about today.”
She nodded. “I do. Come in.”
He came in and shut the door quietly behind him. Caleb didn’t turn on the light, and he didn’t ask permission before he began to undress. The darkness hid most of his movements, but she could see the outlines of his white shirt after he removed his blazer and laid it on the upholstered chair by the window. Systematically, he kicked off his shoes, unbuttoned his shirt, and pulled off his undershirt, layering it all on the chair. When she heard the clank of his belt buckle, she scooted from the middle of the bed to one side, automatically making room.
Her heart started beating at the familiarity of his actions and she smiled to herself. He wouldn’t see her blush in the darkness, as she bit her lip, but she felt the warmth spread into her cheeks.
“I love that your room smells just like you.”
Pleasure rushed through her at his words. It was a simple statement, but the implications were huge.
When Caleb had disrobed down to his boxer briefs, he pulled back the covers and climbed in beside Wren. “You haven’t told me to get the hell out, so I guess this is okay?” He settled back on the pillows and reached for her, and she easily settled into his arms, sliding one of hers across his hard abs and her head came to rest on his chest. She felt like warm silk against him, and the only thing that could have made it better were if they were both completely naked.
“Yes.”
His arms tightened, and he bent his head to place a kiss on her forehead. “Are you okay with everything?” He hesitated for a beat, but continued when she didn’t answer right away. “I’ll make sure you don’t have to give up ballet. I’ll run the company for both of us.”
“Cale.” She tightened her arm around him and turned her face into the crook of his neck. He smelled of cologne and whiskey. “You didn’t have to do that for me.”
His fingers began threading the hair down her back in a rhythmic motion designed to soothe and relax. Mostly, it was because he couldn’t stop himself from touching her. “Do what?”
“Split your inheritance.”
He stilled immediately. “Damn it! How did you find out? Did Jonathan tell you?” His tone took on a bit of an angry edge.
“He didn’t. It was in the letter your dad left for me. It explained about the two versions of the will.”
Caleb’s chest rose beneath her head as he inhaled a deep, regretful sigh. “I didn’t want you to know it was my decision.”
“Why not?”
He rolled to his side, shifting so they were facing each other in the darkness. He reached out and brushed the knuckles of his right hand along her left cheekbone. “Because, you might interpret the decision as selfish.” He shrugged slightly. “It was.”
Wren laid a hand on his bare chest. There was a light smattering of velvet soft hair and she pulled and played with it gently. “How could giving half of your inheritance away be selfish? I don’t interpret it that way at all.”
He shook his head. He could smell her sweet breath, feel the heat radiating between them. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her and roll her beneath him but this conversation was important. “Because, I want you in my life and the company ties will assure that. At least, for the next five years.”
“Oh, Cale.” Her voice wavered with the ache she felt in her throat. He was in her bed, so clearly the relationship he was after wasn’t platonic. “That means a lot to me, but you didn’t have to buy that. All you had to do was talk to me.”
“I wasn’t sure what was going on in your life.”
“You mean beyond the times you checked up on me?”
Caleb couldn’t help but smile. She knew h
im so well. “Yeah. I had to make sure you were okay, especially after that night downstairs.”
She nodded against him. The way he left afterward still stung. “Why did you leave like that?”
“I was freaking out. It didn’t matter how I felt about you, in the eyes of the world, we were—,” He paused to gather what he wanted to say, lifting his arm up off of her and then letting it drop again.
“I get it,” Wren said.
“At first, I was just relieved to put distance between us. I was ashamed of what happened, ashamed of the way I left it, and worried sick that you might get pregnant. We didn’t use protection and I blamed myself. I felt like hell when I got back to Boston because I worried I’d ruined your life.”
Her heart dropped. She’d never considered that he might feel anything other than regret and embarrassment. “I thought you only did it because you’d been drinking, and then afterward, were embarrassed you’d ever touched me. I didn’t even consider I might get pregnant.”
Caleb sucked in enough air to fill his lungs to capacity and then let it out in a deep sigh. “I did. I used to call home and check in with Jonesy a lot more often. I asked her to send me a bunch of shit I didn’t need, because I knew she’d tell me if you needed me. And I hoped you’d call me, if it happened, but when I heard you were auditioning for Juilliard, I knew you were in the clear.” The strain in his voice told Wren that those months had been as much a struggle for him as they had been for her, but for very different reasons.
“Juilliard was a good distraction, but I was heartbroken. That night meant so much to me, and it ruined us. I missed you every day.”
“I was afraid you hated me, and I couldn’t face it.” Relief at finally being able to talk to her about it surged through him. “I was so mad at myself. You were my little bird and I took advantage of you.”
Wren lifted her head to look into his face, and then shook her head slightly. “No, you didn’t. I was of age and I wanted to be with you.”
