“Because,” Drew answered, “you’re finally showing interest in someone. The same someone you acted as if you couldn’t stand two weeks ago.”
“I feel like this is progress,” Micah chimed in.
“Progress toward what?” Callum genuinely asked. He decided complete avoidance of Drew’s previous statement was probably for the best.
“Progress toward not acting like you are a block of ice who doesn’t feel a damn thing so you don’t have to deal with your past.”
Callum leaned back against the counter as he ran his hands through his dripping wet hair. “It’ll never go anywhere.”
“Why not?” Drew furrowed his brow.
“Because I’m not good for her.” He started toward the stairs. “You both know that.” He was halfway to his room. “Don’t hype me up about something that will never even happen,” he called out just before he slammed the door.
Chapter 18 - Sam
By the next morning, Sam was absolutely dragging. She was exhausted enough that she even contemplated skipping class. Stacy just kind of gave her a knowing look as she walked in.
“I know, I had a long night at work and didn’t sleep well,” Sam stated and then let the lab continue on, as if she was actually able to think through mole mass conversions when all that was consuming her mind was what Callum’s hands would have felt like had she not had on any clothes. What they would have felt like trailing over her bare skin.
The rest of the week was uneventful. She had a shift Tuesday night, but Callum wasn’t there. She guessed that made the minor panic attack she’d had in Kristin’s car on the drive over seem a little silly. By Friday night, it seemed like everything was back to normal.
When she walked into Topline for her shift, she didn’t see Callum anywhere and promptly breathed a sigh of relief. But then she felt immediate disappointment. She needed to get him out of her head. It had been a week since she’d last seen him. He hadn’t reached out, or stopped by, or attempted any contact at all.
Well, in all fairness, neither had she. But that was beside the point.
He had initiated the trip to Social. And the kiss. And the sitting on his lap. And all the wonderful things that had been said between them. She’d never voiced it out loud, least of all to Kristin, but a small part of her had hoped that he would get her numberfrom Micah and text, or call, or maybe show up at her door. She wasn’t expecting flowers or anything, but just maybe aHi, I wanted to see you,orWe should get lunch one day, or maybe even aSorry for completely turning your world upside downwould have been nice.
All those thoughts came crashing to a sudden halt as soon as she turned the corner and ran straight into him.
“Long time no see, huh?” he said as he leaned against the wall. Her brain and mouth didn’t seem to be connecting, and all she could do was shake her head and laugh. “What’s the final decision?”
“On what?”
“My name. Am I still Newbie-Asshole? You left before I was able to figure out my standing.”
She could tell he was toying with her and she knew he could see her embarrassment.
“Jury’s still out. We’ll have to see how my night goes and whether or not I'm fired, and then I may be able to make that decision.”
She liked this.
She likedhim.
“Alright. Well, I guess I should head back, I wouldn't want to be too much of a distraction for you. Wouldn’t bode well for you if your boss caught you being all googly-eyed over some guy during your shift.”
“You're such an ass.” Even though she was trying to appear stern, she started to laugh. He walked away without another word, but with a smile plastered across his face. To her growing frustration, they didn’t get to speak again the whole shift. It was so busy, they were able to do nothing but share a few glances.
When she clocked out for the night, Callum was nowhere in sight. She paused a moment before heading out the door, and debated whether or not to wait for him at an empty table. There was
no way in hell she would head to the back to try and find him. For all she knew, he was in Mr. Brimley’s office doing whatever it was owners did. And she didn't want to come across as clingy or obsessed.
So, she slowly walked out the door and caught the bus home.
Chapter 19 - Sam
When she got out of the shower Saturday afternoon, she had a text waiting for her.
Christian: Rain check makeup tomorrow? Lunch?