Inferno (A Harmony Love Story)

by Angela Graham

  “Thanks,” I said, not looking back, ready to sprint that way when his large arm gently gripped mine. Slowly, he spun me around, my gaze on his boots.

  With a firm finger, he lifted my chin. “If you had a question, you could’ve asked me.”

  I shook my head quickly, caught off guard. “No, I just—”

  “Just lied to her because…?”

  He waited as our eyes locked. I couldn’t say it. He knew who I thought was out there, I was sure of it, but there was no way in hell I’d admit it out loud.

  “I’m starving.” I released a weak chuckle, shimmying out of his hold. “Did you get the order in?”

  His gaze on me turned inquisitive, so when he broke it to look away, I was nothing but grateful. “Yeah, meet me at the table over there.” He nudged his head to the right. “When you’re finished in the ladies’—”

  “I’m good, actually,” I said, already making my way to the table. He pulled out my chair for me when I reached it and I waited for him to move around to the other side. Instead, he just stood there, directly behind me.

  “Your dad seems like a straight fellow,” he said in an almost-murmur, for my ears only.

  I closed my eyes, not wanting to hear any more. Caleb’s hands brushed over my shoulders for the slightest moment before he stepped around, adjusting his chair to sit across from me. “I’d never consider him a drunk.”

  My entire body ached, muscles locked, pulse racing.

  “So, speed dating.” I grabbed and unwrapped the silverware from its black linen napkin, folding the napkin into a square and lying each piece on top of it. Peering up reluctantly, I added, “Pretty simple, actually. Just need a timer and some good music.”

  “Anything you need,” he said, granting me a sweet, obliterating smile.

  We went over the plans for Saturday, him designating me the boss of everything except music. That was fine with me, so by the time I finished my lunch (which was the best Harmony had to offer, hands down), I was feeling more like myself and less anxious than before.

  “Explain to me again why we need so many flowers and candles?” Caleb asked, relaxed back in his seat with one leg crossed over the other.

  “Seriously?” I laughed, then leaned in, planting my elbows on the table. “We have to set the right mood.”

  “Which is?”

  I leaned in further, eyes widening, waiting for him to figure it out. “Romance!”

  I shook my head at his lack of understanding.

  “Right,” he said skeptically. “But shouldn’t the men be in charge of that after meeting the woman here? And who says that’s what most of them even want?” He took a drink, giving me a challenging look.

  I snorted, then quickly covered my mouth. His lips twitched up. “No, that’s our job. And yes, I think most of the women want it. They at least deserve it.”

  “That, I’ll agree with.”

  “Great.” I began cleaning up my fork and napkins, setting them on top of my plate. “So you’ll finish the flyers and I’ll swing back in tomorrow with some prices for everything we need. Sound good?”

  “Whatever you say, Honey Pie.”

  Jill had stopped beside us and was beginning to clear our dishes. We both stood, me biting back a smile, him checking his phone.

  “See you later, Caleb,” I said, ready to leave—but not before I let him in just a little bit.

  “And by the way, I’ve never been on the silver screen,” I said, referencing the Beatles song he seemed to enjoy endearing me with.

  He looked up from his phone, perplexed for only a second before I saw the clarity soften his expression. “I’m sure you’ve driven plenty of men crazy, though.”

  “Not nearly enough,” I said, leaving on high ground and loving it.

  Chapter Eight

  “Tell me again why I let you drag me to this,” Cassandra pouted for the tenth time as we stopped in front of a small table covered with pens and nametags. I’d set it up earlier in the day: white linens with just a simple bouquet of fresh daisies.

  Cassandra was lost in thought, probably looking for an escape route, so I snatched her tag and pen and filled in her name for her, giggling at her frown.

  “Owww,” she mock cried out, exaggerating for full effect when I slapped the sticker onto her upper abs. The low cut of her white summer dress left no other place, and even with a bright-red nametag, she was still a knockout.

  Pulling in her brows, she shot me an annoyed look. “You know I have better things to do than spend my Saturday night with a bunch of pathetic guys looking for a frivolous one-night stand, right?”

  “Don’t be so negative,” I said, leaning down to fill in my own nametag. “I’m sure most of the guys here tonight are looking for a deep, meaningful relationship.”

  I bit back my snicker. Standing up straight, I looked down at my strapless turquoise floral-print dress that accentuated my full C-cup breasts and frowned. Maybe I should’ve rethought things.

  “I don’t see the point in nametags,” Cassandra scoffed. “We’re not children. If you’re old enough to go on a date, you should be old enough to not need a nametag.”

  Convinced I could make the thing work, I stuck it to my small tan clutch. Perfect.

  “That’s cheating. If I have to look ridiculous, so do you.” Cassandra pulled it off and slapped it practically in the center of my ribcage. It was either that or on my actual skin.

  “Thanks,” I grumbled. The look on her face was apologetic. I knew she didn’t want to be there and yet she was, for me. “Look, I never thought I’d be spending my night speed dating either, but Caleb asked and you know he’s not the easiest person for me to refuse.”

  “Yeah, I’ve noticed you have that problem.” Her attempt to stifle a chuckle bombed.

  I rolled my eyes, laughing along when a large group of women began shuffling in the doors, pushing us forward. The turnout so far was exceeding expectations—mine, anyway. I could only hope Caleb felt the same. There were more singles in Harmony than I’d realized.

  “Are you going to make a move on Caleb tonight, or continue playing the sweet friend who’s eager to help out?” she asked as we headed toward the crowd. “At some point, you have to confess you’re in love with the man—preferably before one of these bright-eyed, bushy-tailed tramps sinks her claws into him.”

  We weaved through the crowded room filled with smiling singles, all holding drinks and wearing similar nametags.

  “He asked me to come here for speed dating. Does that sound like a man interested in me?” I sighed, resolved to my place in the friend zone with him and happy for that much.

  “Whatever you say.”

  My smile grew more the deeper into Haven we walked. The place looked fantastic. All the tables were lined up in the perfect spots just where I’d left them, with fresh flowers and white candles setting the perfect ambience for romance (or at least a hookup or two) to bloom.

  “Oh. My. God.” I couldn’t help my laughter, spotting Logan at the bar. I hadn’t seen him since our talk or deal last Saturday night, but I wasn’t expecting him to be there. “Look who’s here. Never thought a guy like that would need help finding a girl.”

  I watched Cassandra as she caught sight of him, her breathing growing deeper, eyes widening, and a slight blush tinting her cheeks. It was something I hadn’t seen for years, since the beginning of her and Mark.

  Logan was sitting at the bar in a tailored dark suit and tie, staring straight at her, wearing a knowing smirk. He raised a glass of scotch in our direction—or more hers, causing her shoulders to stiffen. Cassandra was nervous, which meant something she’d never admit: Her attraction to him was deep and unavoidable.

  He wasn’t like the other guys who made a play for her whom she simply dismissed with a sweet smile and a, “Sorry, I’m not dating” line. Logan was going to push her limits. And as her best friend, some would say I should try to stop it. But the look in his eyes told me there was more than lust, whether he reali
zed it or not. As long as he kept his word about being up front with her, I was good with letting it run its course.

  “Guess he’s getting lazy with his pick-up efforts,” she finally said, with a fake laugh I saw straight through. “He gets them served up on a platter tonight.”

  Logan cocked a brow her way and suddenly she was grabbing my arm and tugging us into the nearby restroom. I ran into at least two shoulders and nearly twisted an ankle along the way.

  “What the hell!?” I snapped when she finally released me. What was happening to her? Cassandra had always been the calm one, but not lately.

  I rubbed my ankle, and when I peered back up, I saw the paleness consuming her features. We both ignored the stares of the few other women standing around the mirrors. My only concern was Cassandra.

  “Why does he have to be here tonight?” she asked, more to herself than me. I needed to calm her down.

  “Caleb said he’s a regular at the bar most nights.” I gave her a wry smile but couldn’t ignore the distress in her eyes. “Okay, what’s really the problem? You think he’s hot and you had that dirty—or shall we say delicious—dream about him, so why not get to know him?”

  I had no doubt it was more than just one dream, but whatever was going on between them, it scared the hell out of her. We hadn’t seen each other all week, but that hadn’t stopped us from texting every day. Logan was a smug, arrogant jerk—at least, that’s what she’d said. But what I’d heard was, “He’s hot and he knows it, and I’m terrified I’ll succumb.” Add in his adorable four-year-old son she couldn’t stop rambling about and we both knew he was drawing her in.

  Cassandra shook her head, groaning. “What part of him being a dick did you not understand the other day?” she protested, throwing her hands in the air. “I’m not going to be another notch on his bedpost!”

  “You’re right, sorry.” It was me shaking my head now. “Maybe he’s just here having a quick drink? He’s not exactly in need of a speed-dating service.”

  It wasn’t a lie. I’d say I was surprised to see him there myself, except considering Cassandra was there, it made sense.

  I watched her expression lighten and her breathing normalize, and I knew she’d be fine. The last of the women shuffled out, leaving us alone. I didn’t want to be a bad friend, but the girl needed a good push outside of her comfort zone. This wasn’t a terrible thing she was going through. Tough love was in her best interest, I finally decided. So with one last smile, I turned and left her in the ladies’ room to have a moment alone.

  I waited outside the door a moment, just long enough to barely overhear, “Okay, Cassandra, you can do this. He’s not that hot.”

  With a renewed grin, I made my way through the crowd once more—this time looking for the man I knew was too “not that hot” to me.

  The event officially started in less than ten minutes, yet Caleb was nowhere to be seen. I made my way to Logan at the bar, to find out if he’d seen him.

  I frowned to myself, watching the horde of women surrounding the new single dad in town, all wanting a piece and playing out the sweet-country-girl routine. He had the real thing hiding out in the bathroom if he earned it—his very own girl next door, literally.

  “Excuse me,” I said, failing at my attempt to invade the group. These girls were serious. “I said excuse me!”

  “Don’t think they care.”

  Caleb’s words hit directly behind my ear, along with his searing breath.

  My eyes slid shut, a tingling sensation coiling tight at my center. I felt his hands on my bare shoulders and my knees went weak, breath catching in my throat. Slowly, he stepped around me.

  “H-hi,” I whispered, clearing my throat and head to speak more clearly. “Everything looks great!”

  “Thanks to you.” The corner of his lip curled up into a hint of a smile before he let his eyes drift down my torso and rake back up. “You look gorgeous tonight.”

  My cheeks flamed, eyes darting away. “Thanks.”

  He crooked his finger for me to follow him behind the bar where we had a lot more room, with only a couple bartenders zipping back and forth. Logan sat on the barstool in front of us, wearing a suit that looked disheveled just enough. The top few buttons were undone and his tie was loosened, jacket strewn over the stool beside him.

  Perhaps he’s saving a spot for a certain sweet blonde?

  Caleb mixed a drink and handed it to me.

  “What is it?” I asked, smiling and taking a small sip. Wow, nope, not for me. It was way too strong—and the way my face puckered must’ve told him so.

  “Negroni. You disapprove?”

  I strived for a smile that felt too strained to be genuine and sipped again, needing anything to squelch my buzzing nerves—which was why I downed a giant gulp as soon as Caleb stepped away to speak to one of the bartenders. Logan watched, looking amused.

  When Caleb reappeared, he took the glass from my hand and handed me a new drink I hadn’t even seen him make. I recognized it and smiled, relieved. A whiskey sour may have been a more “girly” drink, but it was perfect for me.

  “Thanks,” I said sheepishly before taking a small sip and turning to the man in front of me.

  “So, Logan…you gonna be looking for a bunkmate?” I asked with a teasing grin, and noticed Caleb stiffen before my tone turned icy. “Because if so…skip Cassandra’s table tonight.”

  “And here I thought you trusted me,” Logan said with a smirk, lifting his glass.

  I shook my head. “Never said that, so don’t get it twisted. But she needs a night off from whatever you’ve been doing.”

  “I’ve been nothing but a friendly neighbor and supportive patron.” He tipped his glass toward Caleb.

  “Mmm hmm,” I breathed. “How about you use the time tonight, if you do plan on visiting her table, to get to know Cassandra a little bit? You two might actually have something in common.” I took a big gulp of the liquid courage I needed around Caleb.

  “Perhaps,” was all he said before a busty beauty who was a couple of grades above me in high school snared his attention.

  “Cassandra’s too good for him and he knows it,” Caleb said, staring past me. I couldn’t tell if he was annoyed or just distracted. His eyes were roaming over the crowd; something dark was brewing within.

  Feeling brave, I reached my trembling hand out to brush down the front of his crisp white button-up. “How many of these do you have?” I asked, having noticed he wore one every day I’d stopped in the past week besides the day he wore a black tee.

  He smiled and lifted a glass I hadn’t even noticed he’d been holding to his mouth for a drink. “Enough.”

  Bobbing my head agreeably, as I did too often around him, I felt my confidence slowly drown the longer I stood there alone with him. I should’ve looked away, but instead stared at his lips as he tipped back the amber liquid and I watched it disappear past them. His tongue peeked out the tiniest bit to lick away a remaining drop from his bottom lip, and I had to bite my own to keep my emotions in check.

  Caleb’s eyes brightened and he leaned in slowly, tucking a strand of hair back behind my ear. My knees grew weak, pulse racing. His breath caressed my ear once more.

  “Think someone’s looking for you.”

  Not exactly the sweet nothing I’d imagined. “Huh?”

  When I twisted my head to see, I felt my stomach drop so hard I nearly buckled from the pressure. There, at the end of the bar, was a very-pissed-off-looking Rafe. Holy shit.

  I whipped my head back around so hard it bumped against Caleb’s. “Crap, sorry!”

  That didn’t stop Caleb from adding, still close, “That the guy you had in your panties?”

  I jerked back, stunned. “Excuse me?”

  Caleb’s jaw worked under the skin, irritation clouding his cool expression. “The text you sent that first night, about how flirting won’t get him back into your panties. That him?”

  My head spun. That’s the part he remembered?


  Hesitantly, I looked back again at Rafe, drink in his hand, hard eyes on us.

  “Yeah,” I sighed. “That’s him. But like I told you already, I handled it.” I finished off my second drink, already eager for a third.

  “We’ll see about that,” was all he said before wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close.

  It was everything I could want—to feel his hard body snug against mine, to feel wanted by him—but this was far from how I’d imagined it. Before I could remove his arm and sneak off to see why the hell Rafe was there, I was reminded it wasn’t exactly the time or place.

  “Hey, Cassie! Thanks for coming out tonight,” Caleb said as she approached the other side, pulling her attention from Logan, who was still seated on the stool.

  Her expression went from nervous to happily surprised as I caught her staring at Caleb’s arm around me. She smiled, causing me to bite my lip to suppress my own grin that begged to escape. He’s helping me with Rafe, nothing more, I told myself repeatedly.

  “I’m sure we can find some poor schmuck in here for you to turn down,” Caleb chuckled.

  “Very funny, Caleb,” she grumbled, stopping at the stool beside Logan but pretending not to notice him. “I’m only here as a favor, so don’t tempt me to leave.”

  “Relax. I just heard around town you’re not the easiest girl to pin down a date with,” Caleb explained.

  He wasn’t wrong about that. And despite Cassandra’s grumpy disposition, I felt for her, understanding all too well the nervous discomfort she was experiencing standing that close to a man she couldn’t get out of her head.

  “Maybe it’s because the people in this town aren’t used to women with standards,” I cut in at her defense. “Something most women here tonight lack,” I added, thinking of the ones pawing at Logan earlier.

  I smiled Cassandra’s way before sending a smug grin to Logan. He didn’t seem fazed, only chuckling under his breath.

  The obvious tension in Cassandra’s shoulders lightened, her easy smile back in place.

  “Think he wants to have a word,” Caleb said, whispering in my ear.