Chapter 32 Emma
Emma
On Monday morning, I’d been at work for four hours when Rosalind called me into her office. I didn’t know whether to be excited or terrified.
“Take a seat,” Rosalind said from behind her desk, gesturing to one of the two chairs in front of it. “How’s it going with everything?”
“Good,” I said. “I love it here.”
Her mouth curved a bit. Not quite enough to call it a smile. “Nice. But I meant on your projects.”
Ugh, I had no idea why she always made me feel so stupidly awkward.
“My projects are also going well. The Warren job’s wrapping up, the Mill job is kicking into gear—I delivered the final set of plans yesterday.
The Castaneda job’s on hold, as you know, until the engineer gets back to us on the change orders.
And the Henderson job is running smoothly. ”
She shook her head. “There have been problems there. Vandalism, theft… We’re concerned.”
“The Colburns are on it,” I said.
“Good. I’d expect no less for what we’re paying.”
I had no real reason to take offense at this, but I did.
I knew Ryder Colburn was an aboveboard, hardworking, and well-respected businessman who ran a tight ship.
He cared about his employees, his subcontractors, and the job.
He put his heart and soul into every project.
As did Caleb and Tucker. Everyone at Colburn Restorations was talented, dedicated, and incredibly loyal.
People didn’t leave their jobs there, not employees and not clients—including Henderson and Hall.
“The job’s really coming along,” I said carefully. “It’s beautiful. You should come out and take a look.”
“Your reports have been excellent,” Rosalind said, then cocked her head. “Are you sleeping with one of them?”
Her words were so conversational, it took a moment for them to sink in, and when they did, my brain went offline. No reception. Zero bars…
Rosalind raised a brow.
“I—I’m currently staying with Caleb Colburn until an apartment is available,” I admitted. “We went to college together.”
“So you’re old friends.”
We were old something, that was for sure. “Yes.”
Rosalind smiled. Her real one this time—which had never before been directed at me.
“I had no idea; you should’ve told me you’re so well-connected,” she said, voice softer.
“Caleb’s a good man, and we all consider him a dear friend here.
Make sure to tell him how much it means to us that he’s taking such good care of one of our employees, won’t you? ”
“Sure,” I said, knowing I wouldn’t do any such thing.
“Oh, and while I’ve got you here…” Rosalind smoothed down a nonexistent wrinkle on her blazer. “We’ve just signed onto a new project in old town Star Falls. It was one Ruth was really excited about and campaigned for. Since she’s not here, you’ll be taking her place on the team.”
I had time for another project like I had time for a hole in my head, especially one I felt certain I hadn’t earned, but was due to my association to a Colburn. “Thank you, I appreciate your confidence in me.”
“Happy to hear that,” Rosalind said. “Because connections in this world are everything. And you being connected to the Colburns certainly doesn’t hurt things.
” She paused. “I wasn’t going to tell you this yet.
I was going to wait until the end of your temporary contract.
” She paused. “Ruth’s let us know she won’t be coming back.
Her position here will be posted, of course, and formal interviews conducted, so if you’re still interested… ”
“I am,” I said quickly. “Very interested.”
“Good.” She nodded. “Of course, the pay wouldn’t be much of a raise from what you’re earning now. But you’d get an annual increase, depending, of course, on your performance review.”
Much of my excitement instantly drained.
What I was earning now would barely get me into that apartment, the one I’d filled out the application for this morning—my way of manifesting.
All I had to do was hit the Submit button.
Well, and pay seventy-five bucks for said application. “Will there be bonuses?”
Rosalind’s mouth quirked. “You mean…like extra credit for doing your actual job that we already pay you for?”
I flushed; I could feel it heat my face. “It’s just that I’m hoping to get my own apartment here in Star Falls. With what I’m making now, I’d have to go as far out as Santa Rosa, and the commute would be well over an hour each way.”
“That’s if you don’t hit traffic,” Rosalind agreed. “And while I’m sympathetic to your plight, the budget for this job opening is firmly set for now.”
The story of my life.
***
By the time I left the office, I was fried, mentally and physically. I nearly drove out to the campgrounds, until I remembered not everything about my life sucked. I wasn’t squatting on the jobsite anymore; I was staying with Caleb.
Smart, charismatic, funny, sexy Caleb Colburn. The man was a walking contradiction, all sharp angles and soft smiles, a tornado of charm wrapped in a six-foot-two package.
I was grateful. Beyond grateful.
Turned out, life was pretty great when I wasn’t anxious about where I’d be sleeping at night.
And something else shocking? Living with Caleb felt as natural as breathing—which wasn’t good.
Last night Henderson, forgetting the time difference, had texted me from Italy at three in the morning to remind me he needed new drone shots.
Instead of being annoyed at the frustrating wake-up text, Caleb had pinned me to the bed and had his merry way with me.
I was still wearing the smile.
All I had to do was remember that staying in Caleb’s house was as temporary as the rest of my life and he wasn’t mine to keep.
I made a stop on the way and spent half my week’s grocery budget on Thai takeout—Caleb’s favorite.
A few minutes later, I let myself in the house to find Calvin politely sitting in the foyer, waiting for me, tail stub wagging hard enough to create its own tailwind.
Klein, who had zero polite bones in his body, jumped up to give me a full French kiss.
With a laugh, I nudged him aside. I knew Caleb was home, since his truck was in the driveway. And those were his shoes haphazardly left at the doorway, his sweatshirt over the back of the couch, and his backpack on the floor, leaning against the hallway wall.
I set the food down in the kitchen and followed the clues, soon ending up in Caleb’s bedroom. The bathroom door was open, steam pouring out from the running shower. Caleb’s off-key voice singing “Shake It Off.”
I was grinning when I stepped into the bathroom—at least until I caught sight of water and suds sluicing down that incredible body, making my mouth go dry.
Caleb poked his head out of the shower and grinned at me.
“Hi, honey, I’m home,” I quipped after I rolled my tongue back into my mouth. “I brought dinner.”
“Good, because I’m starving.”
“It’s Thai.”
“Awesome, but that’s not what I’m starving for.” And then he hauled me into the shower with him.