Page 65 of Playing Pretend

Aaliyah stepped into Caleb’s office, and shut the door. “This involves you too, so I think you should stay.”

I heard Caleb exhale beside me, and then watched as he walked to his desk.

“If this is about Jennifer, I already know,” he said. “I have some friends at NYPD who are going to pay her a visit and get my files back.”

“They’d better do it fast,” replied Aaliyah, “Before she does something stupid.”

“Liy, did you come here to tell me something I already know?” Caleb took a seat, and leaned back in his chair.

“Okay Mr. Cranky Pants, what I came to tell you is that Kadence is taking over the launch party for Callahan Records, and I wanted to make sure that you’re going to offer her everything she needs.”

Caleb raised his brows, and folded his hands behind his head. His shirt rode up, and I had a difficult time not looking at the myriad of ink coloring his skin. It only reminded me of our nights together, of how his ink looked brighter when it was covered in a sheen of sweat. My nipples hardened beneath my bra just thinking about it, and when I looked up to Caleb’s face, he was watching me. With the subtlety of a bull in a china shop, I lifted my chin, and crossed my arms over my chest.

Then I remembered why Aaliyah had interrupted us.

“I will understand if you want someone more experienced to do the launch,” I said, hoping that my anticipation of him taking this opportunity from me wasn’t obvious.

“I think Kadence will be perfect -” Aaliyah started, but she stopped when Caleb shook his head, finally taking his eyes off me to look at Aaliyah. I was a little irate with Aaliyah – and Caleb too – because I could speak for myself, I didn’t need her to advocate for me. I was grateful for her help, but I wanted to prove myself on my own terms.

“I agree,” said Caleb. “I think she is more than capable, and I will make sure every resource she needs is at her disposal.”

“Can you please stop referring to me in the third person,” I looked from Caleb to Aaliyah, and then back to Caleb, “I’m standing right here.”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Caleb screwed up again.”

“It seems she’s always angry with me about something,” replied Caleb. He smiled when I scowled at him.

“You two are impossible,” I said, throwing my hands up in the air. “I’m getting back to work.”

“We weren’t done talking, Ms. Kavanagh.”

Caleb’s grin was teasing, and it only added to my need to get out of his space and away from him.

“I’m terribly sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Callahan, but we have nothing left to discuss. I have work to do.”

Before Caleb could reply with something snarky, I spun on my heel, shot Aaliyah one last dirty look, and left. If this morning was anything to go by, it was going to be a long day.