Chapter 13
CALEB
Asking Malia to be my date to this wedding is the worst idea I’ve ever had. But only because it means I can’t kiss her thoroughly in the middle of the dance floor. There are children here.
When the next song changes to a familiar rap song, and the football players in the room crowd the dance floor, laughing, Malia and I head back to our table. I keep a hold of her hand, though. I can’t be talked out of that.
It’s probably best that we take a breath before diving in.
Things with Malia feel as though they’re moving so fast things are blurring around me, and yet it’s so natural.
I know her. I’ve spent months texting with her, strategizing with her in Shadow Heroes, laughing and joking as we play with our team.
I was ready to marry Ivy after only a couple weeks.
Is it any wonder that my heart, after realizing it wants Malia, has moved so quickly? Maybe it’s just the way I am.
“This song?” Malia laughs over the din of the rap music and the cheers from the team and their wives, girlfriends, and dates.
“A tradition.” I grin at her. “It has something to do with Gabriella Duncan and an influencer who tried to take her down.”
“I think I also want details about that,” she says, chuckling.
“Caleb!” a voice calls over the din, and I see that we’ve walked past the table where my grandma is sitting with Devin and his kids. My brother-in-law glances at Malia and raises his eyebrows. I ignore him.
“You okay to come meet G?” I ask Malia.
“Meeting G? In the middle of the rap song? I’m not sure there could be a more perfect time.”
“Good point.” We turn around and head back. “Hi, G,” I say when we reach the table. I lean over and kiss her on the cheek.
“Is this your girlfriend?” Grandma’s voice rises on “girlfriend,” making me think she’s as suspicious as everyone else. Which isn’t surprising. Jett is Grandma’s bestie.
I tug Malia’s hand so she’s standing closer to me. “This is Malia. She is, indeed, my girlfriend.” I hold Grandma’s gaze and dare her to challenge me.
“Well, then let me get a picture of you two together,” she says, holding up her phone. She waves her hand at us. “Step back. Now hug each other like they do on Insta.”
“Insta?” Malia whispers, choking on a laugh.
“Go with it. She’s hip like that,” I say out of the corner of my mouth.
“Closer!” Grandma yells over the rap music.
Malia is fully pressed against me. There is no “closer.” I raise an eyebrow at Grandma.
“Put your arms around her,” she directs. I obey. Malia is almost shaking from suppressed laughter. “Lower,” Grandma calls, still holding up the phone. I glance over at Devin. He’s covering his mouth and I think he might be crying, he’s laughing so hard. “Lower!” Grandma barks again.
“G!” I cry back, exasperated. “There are children at your table.”
Grandma huffs, but there’s a sparkle in her eye. Puffs of laughter are escaping Malia. I break our embrace before things get out of hand and step toward Grandma, leaning over her to hug her again.
“You’re a menace,” I whisper.
She chuckles. “What do you know in your heart, Caleb?” she asks. She pulls back to stare at me.
I glance over my shoulder at Malia, who’s standing a step away, watching us talk, a smitten look on her face. Grandma does that to pretty much everyone. Between her and Ruby, I’ve probably won Malia over completely.
“That she might be the one,” I whisper back.
Grandma pats my cheek and smiles. “Make sure she knows that.”
“I promise.” I leave a kiss on the top of her head, wink at her, and then pull Malia away before Grandma gets any more ideas for “pictures.”
“She’s the greatest,” Malia says.
“She is,” I agree. I tug Malia closer to me. “Want to go for a walk?” I suggest. There are paths, giant oaks, and manicured flower beds surrounding this building and the building where the wedding was held. The venue rests on a five-acre park.
“I do,” she says.
I slip my arm around her waist, and we start making our way to one of the side doors.
Until Law’s mom, Senator Card, intercepts us. “Malia Lang,” she says in a sweet voice, reaching out to take Malia’s hand and shake it. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to get a word with you all day.”
Malia’s demeanor shifts into professional. I don’t see this side of her often. Even as our team’s leader in Shadow Heroes, her command is congenial and friendly. “Senator Card?” Her voice lifts in polite question. I can picture her using this voice with her supervisor at work.
“My staff has been trying to schedule a lunch with you this week while I was in town. I’d love to get your take on the new data privacy law working its way through Congress,” the senator says. “You’re a difficult woman to get a meeting with.”
Malia glances at me, apprehension in her tight smile.
Because of Senator Card? I’m trying hard to put together the information on Malia this moment is giving me and find something that makes sense, but my thoughts feel jumbled suddenly.
Malia doesn’t often give details about her job.
It’s possible Vire has government contracts that she works on—but wouldn’t the senator want a meeting with her supervisors to get higher-level input for laws that involve tech?
“Things have been busy,” Malia says apologetically, but there’s no demurring to Senator Card in her tone.
She’s speaking to her like she’s Senator Card’s equal, not a woman who’s more powerful than her, which is, well, really attractive.
I don’t have the best opinions of Senator Card anyway, given that she thought Law shouldn’t be dating my sister because of her criminal ex, so seeing that Malia isn’t intimidated because of the senator’s position is satisfying.
Senator Card lays a hand on Malia’s arm, leaning in close like they’re friends.
The way Law talks about his mom, her views on their family’s political dynasty, and the way she had to fight for her position when she took over for her late husband makes me think she’d take exception to Malia not pandering to her.
But she’s not. In fact, the charm in her expression makes me think she’s pandering to Malia.
“I want diverse leadership voices weighing in on this,” Senator Card says. “You’re one of a handful of female CEOs in the tech sphere. Just give me a few minutes right now. It’s important to me to hear what you have to say.”
Female CEO.
Malia runs Vire Gaming.
I invited her to this wedding to escape my matchmaking mother setting me up with someone just like her.
Suddenly, nothing makes sense.
Malia squeezes my side where her hand is resting, even though she’s turned to Senator Card. “Caleb and I were just about to get some air.” She pulls out her phone. “But let’s get coffee in the mo—”
“Go ahead,” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t sound as choked as my thoughts feel. “I’ll check in with Jenna and see if she needs help, and we’ll go on the walk after that.”
Worry is clear in Malia’s eyes as she turns to me. “Are you sure?”
“It’s fine.” I smile wide—too wide. Logically, I know it’s stupid that I’m letting this trip me up. Malia is brilliant, kind, confident, thoughtful, beautiful, and everything I want. It shouldn’t matter that she’s also everything my mom wants for me.
And yet, I can’t shake this unmooring.
I lean in and kiss her cheek. Dutiful boyfriend and all that. “I’ll come find you in a little bit.”
“Okay …” She smiles at me, but it’s full of hesitation.
Malia has been reading me by just my voice and my texts for months.
Now she has the data for my expressions and body language.
She’s obviously a brilliant engineer. She’s running a company.
It can’t be hard to decode that I’m spiraling over this.
I nod at Senator Card and escape.
The problem is, why am I escaping?