Page 6 of Shameless With Him

“Good to see you, Zoey-girl.”

Charlene’s grasp tightened, and I stepped back. “You, too. Sometime, we’ll have to meet in Denver again, and not other places around the world.”

“Sometime,” he repeated, and then I was off, needing my space, needing to breathe. Seeing Caleb again was like a hit to the chest, and I couldn’t focus.

I didn’t know if I still had my crush. I didn’t think about him daily anymore, but as soon as I saw him, it had tried to come back full-force.

I reminded myself that he was once again with a date. Once again with a woman who wasn’t me.

And I was just fine with that.

I had to be.

Because Caleb wasn’t mine.

He never would be.

Zoey & Caleb – Age 28

Home. This was my home. I finally owned my florist shop in truth. I was my own boss and only answered to the bank. This was mine.

I got to play and work with flowers every day. This would be my future. I couldn’t wait to get my hands dirty—and probably bloody, thorns were the worst!—again.

I needed to go home and get to bed, but I didn’t think I would be able to sleep. I already had orders waiting and would meet with a couple of wedding planners tomorrow. For tonight, though, it was all mine.

A tap on the glass pulled a scream from my throat. I turned to the window at the front of my shop, my hand on my phone, the other on my heart.

“Caleb?” I gasped, and he gave me that damn grin of his. I really hated it, even while I loved it.

“Open up,” he mouthed, and I quickly went to the door.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were still in Alaska.”

He shook his head. I couldn’t read his eyes in the dark to tell what he was thinking. “I’m back.”

Back.

I swallowed hard, trying to get my bearings. I hated that he did this to me. After two decades of it, you’d think I should be used to it by now.

“Amelia didn’t tell me. Welcome back.”

He shrugged. “She doesn’t know.”

My eyes widened.

“Don’t worry, Zoey-girl. She’ll know tomorrow. Wanted to surprise her and the others. Saw you working here and figured I’d check out your new place.”

I blinked, trying to catch up. “Oh, well, I was just heading home, and it’s dark. Maybe tomorrow?” When I could breathe.

“I can do that.” He put his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Need me to walk you to your car?”

I saw it then, the worry in his gaze. “I’m fine. Have been since that night. Thank you. Again.” There. I’d mentioned it. Now, I didn’t need to bring it up again. I didn’t have nightmares or anything. I was safe. But I was still embarrassed.

“Don’t thank me, Zoey-girl. And good.”

“Caleb?”

Of course. At this point, it was inevitable. A woman with beautiful brown skin and killer hair walked towards us. She grinned at the two of us and slid her hand into his.