You bought it out from under me! Now I can’t afford it anymore. You and your stupid coworker ruined everything!”
“June, I didn’t know!” I said quickly.
“I swear, I had no idea it was that house.”
“Save it. I don’t want to see you again.”
“Please, just let me come over—”
She hung up.
I stood there for a long minute, then grabbed my bag and headed out. There was only one person who could explain this.
When I got to the restaurant, Caleb was already waiting at a table, another bouquet of flowers sitting next to his plate.
He stood up as soon as he saw me. “Hey, you look—”
I shoved the flowers back into his chest. “Did you know that house belonged to June?”
He froze.
“I… yeah. I knew she wanted it, but I didn’t realize—”
“Didn’t realize?!” I snapped. “That house was everything to her!
She lived there with her mom before she died, and you— you used her to get closer to me! You destroyed her dream and our friendship!”
“I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, Nora. I just… I thought it would be a good way to—”
“To what?
Manipulate me?” I cut in.
“No! To spend time with you,” he said. “Because I like you.
I’ve liked you for months, and I didn’t know how else to get your attention.”
“If you actually liked me, you wouldn’t have done something so selfish,” I said. Then, without thinking, I grabbed the wine glass and tossed the contents right at him.
Gasps rose from nearby tables, but I didn’t care. I turned and walked out.
When I got home, the anger finally cracked into tears.
I curled up on the couch, trying not to think about how everything had fallen apart in one day. I must’ve fallen asleep because the next thing I heard was a knock on my door.
I wiped my eyes and opened it. Caleb stood there, hair damp from the rain.
“What do you want?” I asked quietly.
“To apologize,” he said.
“You can’t give June back her house,” I said. “And you can’t fix what you did.”
“Actually… I already did. I sold it back to her.”
I stared at him.
“For how much more?”
“For the same price we bought it,” he said simply.
“That’s impossible. You can’t just… our company…”
“I told them it was my deal alone. Took full responsibility.”
“Why?” I whispered.
“Because you matter to me.
And I couldn’t stand knowing you hated me.”
I shook my head. “You still acted like a complete idiot.”
“I know. But love makes people do idiotic things.” He smiled faintly.
“I’m asking for one more chance. One real date. No lies, no fake rings, no houses.
Just us.”
I hesitated, then nodded. “Fine. But don’t waste it, Caleb.
You only get one.”
He smiled, relief softening his face. “I won’t.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek before turning and walking into the rain.
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