3. Chapter 3 Caleb
Chapter 3: Caleb
T he small space felt even smaller with her in it. She looked up at me, her eyes wide and wary, and I forgot every damn thing I'd planned to say.
"So," Zoe said, breaking the silence. "You wanted to talk?"
Right. Talking. That was why I was here, not to stare at her like an idiot. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to gather my thoughts.
"Yeah, right. Look, Zo, what's going on with us?"
She tensed, crossing her arms. "What do you mean?"
"Come on, you've been avoiding me for months. And now, on this cruise, it's like you can barely stand to be near me. Did I do something wrong?"
Zoe's gaze dropped to the floor. "No, of course not. I told you, I've just been busy."
"Bullshit," I said, more harshly than I intended. She flinched, and I immediately regretted my tone. "Sorry. We used to be so close, and now it feels like there's this wall between us. I want to know why."
She bit her lip, a habit that never failed to draw my attention to her full mouth. I forced my eyes back to hers, trying to ignore the warmth spreading through me.
"It's complicated," she said finally.
I stepped closer, unable to help myself. "Then explain it to me. Please, Zo. Whatever it is, we can figure it out."
She looked up at me, and the vulnerability in her eyes knocked the breath out of me. "Can we, though? Because I'm pretty sure this will change everything."
My pulse quickened. "What will?"
Zoe took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "The fact that I'm in love with you."
The world stopped.
I stared at her; certain I'd misheard. But Zoe met my gaze steadily, her cheeks flushed but her eyes determined.
"You what?" I managed.
She let out a shaky laugh. "I'm in love with you, Caleb. Have been for years. And I know you don't feel the same, which is why I've been trying to get some distance, to get over it. But being around you, it just makes it harder."
My mind raced, trying to process her words. Zoe loved me? How had I not seen it? And more importantly, why did the thought fill me with such overwhelming joy?
"Zo," I started, but she held up a hand.
"Don't. Please don't try to let me down easy or tell me we can still be friends. I know all that. I just. I needed you to know. And now you do, so I can finally let go of being scared to tell you and go and enjoy my vacation.”
Before I could second-guess myself, I reached out, gently turning her to face me. "Zoe, look at me."
She raised her eyes reluctantly. Without thinking, I cupped her face in my hands.
"You're an idiot," I said softly.
Her brow furrowed. "Excuse me?"
"You're an idiot," I repeated, "if you think for one second that I don't feel the same way."
Zoe's eyes widened. "What?"
Instead of answering, I leaned down and kissed her.
For a moment, she was still against me, and I feared I'd misread everything. Then she melted into the kiss, her arms winding around my neck as she pressed her curves into me, my hand running over her hips, gripping her skin, loving the flesh I could feel move under my hand.
I'd imagined kissing Zoe more times than I cared to admit, but reality blew every fantasy out of the water. She tasted like coconut and sunshine, her lips soft and eager against mine. I slid one hand into her hair, angling her head to deepen the kiss.
When we finally broke apart, we were both breathless. I rested my forehead against hers, unwilling to let her go.
"Wow," Zoe whispered.
I chuckled. "Yeah, wow."
She pulled back slightly, searching my face. "How long?"
"How long what?"
"How long have you felt this way?"
I considered the question. "Honestly? I'm not sure. It feels like forever. But I think I really realized it that day at the lake."
Zoe's brow furrowed. "The cliff jumping day?"
I nodded. "When you came up out of the water, laughing and so alive, I knew I wanted to make you look like that every day for the rest of my life."
She blushed, ducking her head. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"Why didn't you?" I countered.
"I asked first," she said, poking me in the chest.
I caught her hand, lacing our fingers together. "I was scared," I admitted. "You're Jake's sister. My best friend's sister. It felt wrong and I didn't think you saw me that way."
Zoe snorted. "Are you kidding? I've been pining after you since I was fifteen."
The thought of teenage Zoe harboring a crush on me brought a grin to my face. "Fifteen, huh? Was that before or after your goth phase?"
She groaned, burying her face in my chest. "Oh God, don't remind me. I can't believe you remember that."
I laughed, wrapping my arms around her. "Are you kidding? How could I forget? You in all that black eyeliner, trying to look tough, it was adorable."
Zoe pulled back, glaring up at me. "I was not adorable. I was dark and mysterious."
"You were five foot nothing and tripped over your own combat boots," I teased.
She swatted at me, but I caught her hand, pulling her close again. As our laughter faded, the reality of the situation settled over us.
"So," Zoe said softly. "What now?"
It was a good question. One I didn't have a clear answer to. "I don't know," I admitted. "This is new territory for both of us."
She nodded, chewing on her lower lip. The sight was distracting, and before I could stop myself, I was kissing her again.
This kiss was different from the first. Slower, deeper, filled with years of pent-up longing. Zoe pressed closer, her body molding against mine in a way that made my head spin.
I backed her up against the wall, lifting her easily. She wrapped her legs around my waist, and I groaned at the contact. "God, Zo..."
She smiled against my lips. "Too much?"
"Not enough," I growled, trailing kisses down her neck.
Zoe's head fell back, giving me better access. "Caleb," she breathed. "Wait."
It took every ounce of willpower I had, but I pulled back, looking at her questioningly.
"We should slow down," she said, her voice shaky. "This is a lot. And we need to tell Jake."
The mention of my best friend was like a bucket of cold water. I set Zoe down gently, taking a step back. "You're right. I'm sorry, I got carried away."
She smoothed down her dress, her cheeks flushed. "Don't apologize. I was a very willing participant."
We stood there for a moment, the air thick with tension and unsaid words.
"Jake's going to freak," I said finally.
Zoe winced. "Yeah, probably.”
I ran a hand through my hair. Jake was my best friend. He deserved to know. On the other? "Maybe we should wait," I said. "Figure out what this is between us first."
She nodded slowly. "Maybe. I mean, this could just be a vacation fling, or something that we are just getting caught up in all of a sudden.”
The uncertainty in her voice made my chest ache. I took her hand, bringing it to my lips. "Zoe, I've been half in love with you for years. This is not a fling for me. But if you want to take things slow, figure it out as we go, then I'm okay with that."
“I'd like that," she said softly.
I pulled her into a hug. She just fit perfectly against me. We stood like that for a long moment, just holding each other.
Finally, Zoe pulled back. "So, about that dinner invitation?"
I grinned. "Changed your mind?"
"Well, I am feeling a bit peckish. And I hear the steakhouse is pretty good."
"Is that so?" I teased. "And I suppose you'd like some company?"
She pretended to consider it. "I suppose I could tolerate your presence. For the sake of good food."
I laughed, pulling her in for a quick kiss. "You're too kind. Give me five minutes to let Jake know we are both going to join him now.” I didn’t need to call my friend, but I needed five minutes to process what had just happened between us.
Zoe nodded, shooing me into the main section of the suite. “Go call my brother. I’ll put on something else to wear then.”
"Yes ma'am," I saluted, backing out of the room.
My mind raced with the events of the last half hour. Zoe loved me. I'd kissed Zoe. Multiple times. And now we were going on what was essentially our first date. That also potentially included her brother.
Five minutes later, Zoe came out of her room, and my breath caught. She'd changed into a simple black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places.
"Wow," I managed. "You look amazing."
Zoe blushed, smoothing down the front of her dress. "Thanks. You clean up pretty well yourself."
I offered her my arm. "Shall we?"
As we made our way to the steakhouse, I couldn't help but notice the looks we were getting. I saw the appreciative glances thrown her way, and the confused looks when people noticed our height difference. I'd never really thought about how much shorter Zoe was than me. But now, with her tucked against my side, it was obvious. I found myself wanting to pick her up again, to feel her wrapped around me like she had been in her cabin.
"Earth to Caleb," Zoe's voice broke through my thoughts. "You in there?"
I blinked, realizing we'd reached the restaurant. "Sorry, just thinking."
She raised an eyebrow. "About?"
I leaned down, my lips brushing her ear. "About how much I want to kiss you right now."
Zoe shivered, her hand tightening on my arm. "Behave," she whispered. "We're in public, and about to meet up with Jake."
"Nope. Jake said he didn’t want to wait for us, he’s gone to the casino, so you, shortcake, are all mine tonight.” I said, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed and wondered how quickly we could finish our meal.