Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
T aylor Montgomery clutched her glass of sparkling water like a lifeline as she navigated the crowded hotel ballroom. The after-hours reception was in full swing, a symphony of clinking glasses, overly enthusiastic laughter, and the low murmur of networking conversations. For most attendees, this was just another night of schmoozing and swapping business cards. For Taylor, it was an exercise in survival.
It was a game she had very little experience playing, and yet it was necessary if she wanted either a job or more clients.
Smiling politely, she nodded at a marketing director who’d spent the last five minutes monologuing about QR codes. As soon as he turned to grab a canapé, Taylor edged toward the corner of the room, seeking refuge near a towering ice sculpture shaped like a cowboy hat.
“Subtle,” she muttered under her breath, eyeing the icy monstrosity.
Taking a moment to breathe, she scanned the room. Everyone seemed so at ease, chatting in tight circles or animatedly gesturing over tiny plates of hors d'oeuvres. Taylor envied their confidence. She had her polished elevator pitch and an arsenal of business cards in her purse, but her stomach still churned with nerves.
It wasn’t just the party—it was the knowledge that he was here.
Caleb Burnett.
She’d spotted him earlier, looking absurdly out of place in a suit that somehow made him look like he belonged in a glossy Western magazine instead of a networking event. Even from across the room, he radiated the same frustrating charm that had ensnared her years ago.
Taylor had done her best to avoid him, ducking behind a group of executives when she saw him glance her way. But her luck couldn’t hold out forever.
“Looking for an escape route?”
The deep, familiar drawl made her jump. She turned sharply to find Caleb standing behind her, holding two glasses of wine. He wore a crooked smile, the kind that used to melt her resolve but now only made her want to roll her eyes.
“I’m fine, thanks,” she said crisply, taking a step back.
He held out one of the glasses. “Peace offering?”
Taylor hesitated, eyeing the wine suspiciously. Accepting a drink from Caleb felt like a slippery slope but refusing it would prolong the interaction. With a resigned sigh, she took the glass.
“Thanks,” she said, her tone cool.
“You’re welcome,” he said, leaning casually against the table next to her.
The smell of him so close had her body reawakening from a long winter’s sleep.
She sipped the wine, praying he’d take the hint and leave. Instead, he lingered, his gaze flicking to the ice sculpture.
Still, the same handsome man with that infuriatingly winning smile and those deep brown eyes that seemed to see right through her. Damn it all, Liam looked so much like his father that seeing Caleb again had been like looking at a photograph come to life. She’d forgotten just how devastatingly handsome he was.
What a shame that his heart didn’t match the rest of him. A cruel heart, she reminded herself, one that had left her shattered when she needed him most.
In the future, she would make sure her son knew better. She would teach him kindness, empathy, and accountability—the qualities Caleb had failed to show her. One thing was certain: Liam would become the kind of man who built people up, not broke them down.
“What do you think of that thing?” he asked, gesturing to the frozen cowboy hat. “Art or crime scene?”
Despite herself, Taylor snorted. “Definitely a crime scene. I’m pretty sure they’ve violated the Geneva Conventions by subjecting us to it.”
His grin widened, and for a moment, she saw the Caleb she used to know—the one who could make her laugh with a single raised eyebrow. But she quickly pushed the thought aside.
“What do you want, Caleb?” she asked, facing him fully.
He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Just making conversation. Trying to be polite.”
“Try someone else.”
Before he could reply, a tall man in a tailored suit approached, his smile shark-like. “Taylor Montgomery?”
Taylor straightened, her professional mask snapping into place. “Yes, that’s me.”
“I’m Dave Lyons,” the man said, extending a hand. “I run Lyons Creative. We’re looking for a new marketing expert, and I hear you’re one of the best.”
Taylor blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Oh, well, thank you. That’s very kind.”
Dave turned to Caleb, clapping him on the shoulder. “Your friend here was singing your praises. Said I’d be a fool not to meet you. I’d be interested in seeing your portfolio and having a private conversation.”
Taylor shot Caleb a look, her brow furrowing. He just shrugged, looking infuriatingly pleased with himself.
“Did he, now?” she said, her tone carefully neutral.
“I did,” Caleb said smoothly, tipping his glass toward her. “Told him you’re the best in the business.”
Taylor turned her attention back to Dave, offering him a professional smile. “Well, I’d love to connect. Here’s my card. I’ll find you tomorrow and give you a copy of my portfolio, and then we can schedule an interview.”
She handed him one of the sleek cards from her purse, silently marveling how easily she could switch gears when the situation called for it.
Dave tucked the card into his pocket with a nod. “I’ll be in touch. Enjoy the party.”
As he walked away, Taylor turned back to Caleb, her smile dropping.
“Really?” she said, arching an eyebrow.
“What?” he said innocently, though his grin betrayed him.
“You just happened to run into someone looking for a marketing expert and decided to send him my way?”
He shrugged. “Figured it couldn’t hurt. I remember from college that you’re good at what you do, Taylor. Might as well let people know. He was looking for someone, and I didn’t know if you were looking for work.”
Taylor’s stomach tightened, though she refused to let it show. She hated that his gesture touched her, even a little.
“Well, thanks,” she said stiffly. “I have several clients, but I’d like to have more or a full-time job. Either would work.”
They stood in awkward silence for a moment, the noise of the party swelling around them. Taylor swirled the wine in her glass, searching for an exit strategy.
“What’s your angle?”
He chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. “No angle. Just thought you might appreciate the connection.”
Taylor’s mouth opened, then closed again. As much as she wanted to stay annoyed, the gesture was undeniably kind. “Well... thank you,” she said grudgingly.
“You’re welcome,” he said, his tone warm.
For a moment, they stood there, the tension between them softening just slightly.
“College seems a long time ago,” he said.
“Yes, it does. Funny how the real world seems to take over and pull you in,” she replied.
“Married?”
“No,” she replied. “How about you?”
When he asked if she was married, the words hit her like a slap, igniting a fire in her that filled her with a slow-burning rage. She wanted to scream at him, No, but I am a mother. With no help from you.
The words burned on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them, clamping her teeth together to keep herself from blurting out the truth. Saying it would destroy everything, and she couldn’t let that happen. Not now. Not like this.
He couldn’t know about Liam—not yet. It wasn’t just about her anger or the pain of the past. It was about protecting her son and deciding the right time and place for that conversation. If it ever came, which she doubted.
Why was she even asking? She really didn’t care.
“Oh no,” he said. “Not even dating.”
Now, that was funny, and she couldn’t help but smile.
“How about you?”
“No, not dating. I’m busy working and don’t have time for foolish games,” she said, knowing it was true. Liam was her responsibility. And she loved that little boy enough that she wouldn’t subject him to random men trying to play daddy.
The noise from the party seems to be increasing, especially with the level of alcohol being consumed.
“I thought you’d be married by now,” he said.
“Nope, I’m working on my career,” she replied. Only because she wanted to make a happy home for herself and Liam. If she could get ten good clients, she could buy a home.
The chitchat between them had gone on long enough. When a waiter walked by, she put her empty wine glass on his tray.
“Well,” Taylor said finally, “I should get going.”
“Big day tomorrow?” Caleb asked.
“Something like that,” she replied.
“Goodnight,” she said and walked toward the door. When she entered the hallway, she went directly toward the bank of elevators.
Stepping on, she hit the button just as a hand reached out and stopped the doors from closing. Caleb walked on.
“Seriously?” she said, arching an eyebrow.
“What?” he said, looking entirely too amused. “I’m going to my room. You know loud parties are not my thing.”
With a nod, she didn’t respond but realized it was true. In college, they’d spent more time together studying and working on projects than going to large gatherings with drunk students.
The elevator doors closed. As they turned to face the front, Taylor couldn’t help but sigh.
“Oh no,” she muttered, shaking her head. “Are you going to break the elevator again?”
Caleb chuckled, a deep, rich sound that made her both exasperated and amused.
“Hey,” he said, grinning, “that wasn’t me. I think fate intervened.”
Taylor couldn’t help herself—she laughed, the sound surprising even her. “You’re impossible,” she said, shooting him a mock glare.
“Maybe,” he said, his tone teasing. “But I got you to laugh.”
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. Taylor stepped out, glancing back at him with a small, reluctant smile.
“Goodnight, Caleb.”
“Goodnight, Taylor.”
As the doors closed behind her, she couldn’t help but shake her head again, a faint smile lingering on her lips.
He was to be avoided at all costs because the man was still dangerous. Very dangerous to her heart and her well-being.