Chapter 6
Stepping out into the cool air of the fall afternoon, Kira couldn’t help but shiver.
Something about Caleb’s hand on her arm had seemed to heat her whole body from the inside out – like a warm, sweet wave of golden light washing through her. Now that they’d left the diner and he wasn’t touching her anymore she felt suddenly cold, and she found she was weirdly reluctant to part with him just yet.
And also, now that I’m less shaken up about Heit’s sudden appearance… why was Heit acting like they knew each other?
Kira frowned a little. No, that wasn’t quite right. Heit was acting more like he knew about Caleb, rather than them being actually acquainted. The way he’d asked about Caleb’s family, and then said he remembered when Caleb had told him his family collected film – it had all seemed just a little bit strange, considering Caleb had told her he’d never met anyone from Tongle & Heit. Why would he have heard of Caleb’s family at all, or remember that they collected film?
Well, then I guess I also have some questions I think I’d like answered,Kira thought, glancing up at Caleb. Despite her curiosity, however, looking at his face now, she couldn’t bring herself to believe he’d misled her. She was sure there must be some completely logical explanation for it – perhaps someone in Caleb’s family was a bigger deal than he’d let on, or something like that. Perhaps if they were movers and shakers in the movie industry, he preferred to keep that info to himself until he knew people a little better. She could understand that.
But still….
“Oh. Um. Hey – did you want to get a cup of coffee with me or something?” Kira blurted, before she could think better of it. She figured this was killing two birds with one stone – this way, she got to spend more of her day off with Caleb, and she could also set her mind at ease a little about why Heit seemed to know about his family.
Caleb blinked at her as if surprised, but then his gorgeous, sunny smile spread across his face, revealing both his cute dimples and the very, very attractive smile lines around his eyes.
Guh,thought Kira, staring at him.
“I’d love to. Where should we go?”
Oh… right.
Kira’s actual home was a half-hour drive away up the mountain – she didn’t want to take him that far out of his way, especially since it was already after lunch, and night fell early at this time of year. Nor did she feel bold enough just yet to invite herself over to his place.
“Uh, how about my office?” she said, before mentally kicking herself. Her office wasn’t exactly a romance hotspot – but then again, maybe that was for the best. She needed to try to keep a clear head for the time being. Anywhere sexier than the place she worked every day, and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to keep herself from jumping the poor man mid-sentence. “I have, uh, a coffee pot there. And, uh. Chairs.”
What’s wrong with me?Kira thought furiously. She’d been able to form a perfectly good sentence five minutes ago – but something about the memory of Caleb’s hand on her arm had turned her into a stammering mess.
Unconsciously, she rubbed her hand over the place where his fingers had been. Somehow, that patch of skin still felt warmer to the touch than the skin surrounding it – but that couldn’t possibly be the case, could it?
“That sounds delightful,” Caleb said, still smiling. “Coffee and chairs are two of my favorite things.” After a moment though, his smile faltered a little, a more serious look crossing his face. “And… maybe while we’re there, we could talk a little. I have a few things I should probably tell you.”
Kira nodded as they walked toward her Range Rover. Perhaps Caleb was going to tell her himself about what Heit had been talking about, without her having to question him after all.
The short drive back to the entrance of the park was a little more subdued than the drive over had been. When Kira chanced a quick glance at Caleb during one of the few straight stretches of road, she found him looking contemplatively out of the window. The idea of asking him Penny for your thoughts? crossed her mind, but for now, she decided she’d just let him think, and let herself concentrate on driving.
Pulling up outside the cabin, Kira opened the door and swung her legs out, glancing back at Caleb as she did so. He looked quite pensive now, and suddenly Kira wished she’d thought to stop by Sylvie’s and pick up some sweets – the look on Caleb’s face when he’d tried the cupcake she’d given him had been nothing short of radiant.
Well, at least I can offer him a good cup of coffee,Kira thought as they walked up the wooden steps leading to the front door.
Inside, she turned the heater up a little, and then went to put the coffee pot on. Turning, she leaned back against the counter, crossing her arms over her chest.
I guess it’s time for a few answers, then.
“So… why was Heit talking like he knew your family?” she asked, watching Caleb’s face intently.
Caleb sighed. “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, Kira – we really don’t know each other, and I’ve never met anyone in the Heit or Tongle Cla—families. But the circles my father moves in… well, sometimes they involve people like them.”
“So like… investors?” Kira asked, tilting her head. “You said your family was in movies, so –”
Caleb shook his head. “Not quite. It’s more like… well, I guess perhaps it’d be easier if I –”
As fascinated as Kira was to find out where this was going, she was momentarily distracted by the sound of the coffee pot behind her coming to the boil, beeping at her to let her know it was done.
“Hold that thought a second,” she said. If Caleb was having trouble explaining, then maybe it’d be easier over coffee. There was nothing coffee couldn’t make better.
Pouring two cups, she picked them up and brought them over to her desk.