soon, he prayed he would get to see some of her work, and he sure didn’t want to have to lie to his own mate for the rest of her life.
She flushed, a gorgeous pink on her tanned cheeks. And then she glanced away and took another sip of her soda.
When a beer hit the table, Caleb lifted his gaze to find Hunter and Layla taking the other two stools. Hunter had a hand on Layla’s back.
The moment Elena noticed them, she yanked her hand away from Caleb as if she was embarrassed.
Fine. But Caleb wasn’t about to lose contact. Breaking the connection made his skin crawl. It was bad enough that he would have his work cut out for him trying to convince her of her destiny in the next few days. He wouldn’t be able to keep from touching her in some way every chance he got.
He scooted his stool closer to hers and set his hand on her thigh under the table.
She jumped in her spot as she looked toward Layla, but she didn’t jerk away or shove his palm off her leg. Progress.
“I ordered appetizers,” Hunter stated. “What the hell are you drinking?”
Caleb rolled his eyes wearily toward his best friend. “Shut up.” He held Hunter’s gaze for several seconds. It would be cool if they could communicate silently, but that didn’t stop the two of them from projecting about a hundred emotions in their expressions, demeanors, and even pheromones.
Hunter was as stressed as Caleb. Concerned. A bit panicky. And also filled with sexual tension.
It was going to be a long week. Or maybe even two.
Chapter 7
June 8, 1965
Dear Mabel,
Josiah has picked out a lot, and we are building a house! I can’t believe it. I don’t personally think it’s necessary. Our apartment is fine. It’s plenty big enough for the two of us. What will I do with all that space?
But there’s a new neighborhood being built, and Josiah thinks now is the time to buy. It’s an investment he says. People should own property. And get this! It’s going to be two stories. I never dreamed of owning a two-story house. The thought of all those stairs just to get to the master bedroom!
I’m being silly. I know. I’m sure the house will be amazing. It’s going to have four bedrooms. Josiah thinks we need that much space just in case we have three kids. Imagine them each getting their own room! Times sure have changed since we grew up.
I hope you’re well. I miss you.
Love, Marge
Caleb lifted his gaze from his computer screen the next morning when Hunter entered his office. “Did you tell Layla who we were last night?”
“Nope. Did you?” Hunter dropped down onto the seat across from Caleb with a smirk.
Caleb couldn’t keep from chuckling as he adjusted his gray tie. “Nope. I might have skirted that little detail. It seemed like it would be entertaining to see their faces this morning when they come in.”
Hunter nodded toward the computer. “What are you working on so intently?”
“Ah. Googled Elena. She’s a journalist. I wanted to see what I could find. Turns out she’s a fantastic writer. She just hasn’t had her big break yet. I’m impressed by everything I’ve read by her.” He’d been at the computer for two hours already, getting to know a little about his mate through her writing style.
She’d done a piece on the homeless situation in Chicago that pulled at his heart, confirming his knowledge that she was sensitive and thoughtful.
“I googled Layla also. She’s been in several commercials and had a few roles in some shows. She’s good. Scares me a bit. I can’t imagine moving to LA.”
Caleb cringed. He couldn’t imagine Hunter leaving Canyon Springs either. For one thing, the two of them were closer than most brothers. For another thing, Hunter was a small-town guy. The city would swallow him whole. “Let’s hope she loves it here and finds something else she’d rather do.”
Hunter sighed. “Yeah, but the last thing I would ever want would be to stifle her. I don’t want her to look back in twenty years with regret over the loss of her career.”
“You know that’s not likely. Your life together will trump any other option. She’ll never regret time spent with you.” Caleb hoped to God he was telling the truth. He sure didn’t want Elena to feel like she missed out on anything by leaving Chicago either.
The thing was that after last night, Caleb knew the bond