Chapter 7 #2
Wait, what was going on? She felt like she’d stumbled halfway into a different conversation; one that was ongoing between these two.
She often felt like that with them. They seemed to be very good friends who had been around each other so long that they communicated in some sort of shorthand.
She looked from one to the other. ‘Have I touched on an old argument or something?’
‘Sorry,’ said Leo. ‘Yes. Something like that.’
‘No wonder people think you’re a couple,’ she said.
Caleb laughed. ‘Oh, no. It’s not serious. He’s just my work husband.’
‘Just?’ said Leo. ‘I’m wounded.’
Vidya stared at him, not sure if he was joking or not.
His eyes crinkled at the edges. ‘More chips?’
‘I’m eating so many of them,’ she said but took a couple anyway. ‘It’s your lunch.’
‘I’m not big on lunch,’ he said. ‘I find it hard to concentrate in the afternoon if I have too big a meal.’ They walked up the slope towards the main entrance of the hotel.
‘Here,’ he passed her the last of the chips.
‘Don’t let the gulls have them. I’ll see you back in the office.
’ He nodded towards Caleb and set off at a jog, coat flapping around him.
She stared after him. He was so odd. She looked down at the chips and shielded them with her arm. Odd, but kind.
‘You get used to him,’ Caleb said.
‘I can never tell when he’s joking.’
‘It’s usually safe to assume he’s always being serious,’ said Caleb. ‘He’s a very serious person.’
She studied Caleb, who was the opposite. Smiling seemed to be his default. He was happy and charming and entirely not serious, which reminded her of Udeni. With two parents the same, the baby would also be smiley and charming. That was a good thing.
‘And you’re not? Serious, I mean?’
He wrinkled his nose and shook his head. ‘Life’s too short for that,’ he said. ‘Don’t get me wrong. I’m very good at my job. Leo wouldn’t have me on his team if I weren’t. But I think there’s a lot to be said for not letting life get you down.’ He grinned, sunnily, at her.
Oh, God. How had Udeni found someone who was so like her?
What if the baby was all sunshine and smiles and no common sense?
She glanced sideways at Caleb as they walked the final stretch to the hotel.
Well, it was a good job she was going to be around for this baby.
She would provide the common sense when needed.
***
Leo got back to the meeting room and sank into his chair. He needed to pull himself together. He had to stop noticing Vidya. It was unprofessional and distracting. He closed his eyes and saw her sigh with satisfaction at the perfect chip. His eyes flew open again. Stop.
Oh, and offering her his chips. Really? The sentiment was fine, but he could feel the neediness in him. He wanted her to like him. It all made him feel like a teenager. Hopefully, she hadn’t noticed and she just thought he was cool and generous or something. Cool, like Caleb was.
He tipped his head back and pressed the heels of his hands into his brows. He was here to work. So was Vidya. She hadn’t shown even the slightest hint of being attracted to him. He was just being weird. He needed to get it together.
The door opening made him jump. He snapped upright and pulled a file towards him.
It was only Caleb. Leo relaxed a fraction.
Caleb shut the door carefully and stood with his hands on his hips. ‘So,’ he said. ‘What was that earlier?’
‘What?’ Damn. Caleb had noticed. Leo didn’t know why he was surprised. Caleb was an observant kind of guy and he knew him very well, so would probably realise …
‘“I don’t eat much for lunch?”’ said Caleb. ‘Since when?’
‘I– It’s a new thing. I’m trying to stay more awake after lunch.’
Caleb leaned on the desk. ‘You like her, don’t you?’
Leo opened the file, not looking up. ‘Who?’
‘Vidya. I saw your face when you looked at her. You like her.’
He shook his head. He couldn’t look at his friend because his face was burning.
‘You do.’ Caleb chuckled. ‘It’s so cute.’
‘Caleb, I don’t have time for this.’
His friend leaned further forward. ‘Leo? Leo, look at me.’
Finally Leo looked up and Caleb said, ‘It’s the first time in years that I’ve seen you look at someone like that. I know you’re scared, but—’
‘She’s a work colleague,’ Leo said. He knew better than most how badly that could go. The last time had nearly destroyed him.
‘She’s only working with us for this project. She works on a completely different floor to us. There’s enough distance between you if things go wrong.’
‘No. It’s not worth it,’ he said firmly and pointed at himself. ‘For me, it’s not worth it.’ It was fine for Caleb. He flirted with everyone; for him hooking up and moving on were as easy as breathing.
Caleb shook his head. ‘I think you’re just using that as an excuse because you’re scared. You know what, you should feel the fear and do it anyway. Do we know if she’s single? Shall I find out for you?’
Leo groaned. ‘Please don’t. We have a job to do. Can you just let me get on with my work?’
‘Oh, but come on—’
The door opened and they both looked over. Vidya came in and paused, giving them a suspicious look.
Caleb straightened up and smiled at her. ‘Back to work, I guess,’ he said, cheerfully.
Leo rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the document in front of him.
***
Vidya: Here’s what I’ve learned today:
Caleb likes salt and vinegar on his chips.
He was brought up by his mother (no dad). He seems angry with his father. He is an only child.
He laughs when other people are attacked by seagulls.
He laughs a lot actually. Generally, very cheerful.
Udeni: Cheerful is good. I like cheerful.
Angie: I haven’t got anything to report on Piotr, I’m afraid. He’s still out of the country. Apparently, he’s back in the office sometime this week though. The gossip mill thinks he’s single.
Vidya: Keep trying. I’ll do the same.