by Ellie Hall
I hold my hand up. “I’m not saying I don’t want to see you eat. But if I see you eat that cake, then I’ll want to eat it as well, and I’m on a diet, so…”
He laughs. “A diet? You? Come on, June, you’re perfect the way you are.”
My eyes catch his, and for a moment, the world stops spinning.
“Thank you,” I finally manage to say. “I need to go and check on my bagels.”
He runs a hand through his hair. “I have to go too. Ryker’s probably got another demand for me. You know how it is with him. Oh, maybe I can bring him a slice of your amazing cake?”
I nod and wrap up a piece for him, still unable to speak.
“So, um, see you later?”
I nod again and give him a thumbs up. He waves then walks away. When he’s out of sight, I can finally breathe again.
He must think I’m weird. One compliment from him and I can’t even find the words to give him a compliment as well or produce a normal reply. Why do I always seem to sabotage myself like this? No wonder I never get anywhere with guys. I scare them away before things can get serious. I don’t do it on purpose. My parents weren’t the greatest example of a good relationship, so I guess I’ve never learned how to make a relationship work. At least, that’s what I like to believe. The alternative—that I’m not dating material and will spend my life alone until someone finds me in my bed, dead and half eaten by cats most likely—is too depressing.
I try not to think about Caleb for the rest of the day. I see him running past a couple of times, but he’s too busy to acknowledge my presence.
It’s only when I’m packing up my stuff that he slows down and approaches me again. “Hey, you.”
“Hey, you,” I say, trying to sound as casual as him.
“I thought we could grab a bite together, if you’re up for it?”
“Dinner?”
He nods as he shoves his hands in his pockets. “Yeah, I was thinking sushi. Does that sound good to you? I remember you told me how good the food was we had on Saturday.”
That’s right. When we got sushi that day, I didn’t have the heart to tell him how much I hate it. Me pretending to like it must’ve been way too convincing.
“Cold, raw, dead fish? What’s not to like?” I say with a laugh, feeling my insides turn at the thought of wrapped-up salmon.
I’ll just have to suck it up. I can’t back out now and tell him I don’t like sushi. If I do, I’ll have to explain why I lied about it in the first place.
“Great.” His shoulders drop as if a weight’s been lifted off them. Was he nervous about asking me? Does he see this as a date or just two colleagues going out? Why am I overthinking this?
Okay, don’t panic, June.
I take a deep breath in, pat my bag, and smile at him. “I’m ready if you are.”
“Great,” he repeats. “I mean, yeah, let’s go. I know a place nearby. They have the best sushi in a two-mile radius.”
“Two miles?” I laugh. “I don’t think that’s a compliment.”
He grins. “It’s good enough that you’ll like it and won’t get food poisoning.”
“A win-win, huh?”
“Absolutely.”
We leave the sound stage. Caleb unlocks his bike and walks alongside me to the exit.
“Isn’t it difficult to only have a bike?” I ask him.
“It’s not. Didn’t I tell you how amazing it is to weave through traffic?”
I smile at him. “You did, but you’re a PA. What if you’ve got to go to an award show with Ryker? Do you show up all sweaty and tired then place your bike against a streetlight before stepping onto the red carpet?”
He lets out a laugh and shakes his head. “That’s not how it works at all. Besides, Ryker pays for transportation whenever there’s a work event.”
“Oh, I see. Sorry,” I say. “All this Hollywood lingo and behavior is still new to me.”
“It is?”
“Before I got this catering job, I didn’t even know they called the table with all the food on it a craft table. I know,” I say, holding my hands up, “I thought a craft table was like a scrapbooking thing. I’m a total noob. You can make fun of me if you want.”
He shakes his head and stops walking then turns to me. “June, look at me. Why would I make fun of you? You’re out here, all alone, doing a great job, working in an industry that’s alien to you. If anything, I’m amazed by you.”
“You are?”
“I am. And that cake you made? The best I’ve ever tasted,” he says, a dreamy look in his eyes. “I’d say you’re not a noob at all. You’re killing it out here.”
“Thanks. That’s really nice of you.”
“You are nice too,” he says.
We stare at each other for a moment. I wonder what he means and what he’s thinking right now, but I don’t find the courage to ask him.
I look away, and he clears his throat. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“Oh, you didn’t,” I say, even though a ton of questions keep swirling around in my head. Was he about to kiss me, or did I imagine that?
“Let’s go then,” he says. “The sushi place is right around the corner.”
8
Caleb
For once in my life, I should do something impulsive. What’s the worst that can happen? I swallow as I think about the answer to that question.
Perhaps being not overly impulsive would be better. Kind of like impulsiveness with a streak of rationality. I don’t think that’s a thing, but I could make it into one.
June and I went out for sushi a few days ago, and it was the best night of my life. It’s time to be impulsive if I ever want to get anywhere.
I take out the bottle of chilled wine I put in the fridge last night and wrap it in a towel before sliding it into my backpack.
My phone rings, and I’m relieved it’s my sister, not Ryker asking me to cancel my day off. Or worse, June canceling on our Saturday hike.
“Hey, you,” I say as I clasp the phone between my shoulders. “What’s up?”
“Oh, nothing much. I wanted to thank you again for wiring me that money. I’ll pay you back in a couple of weeks, just like I promised.”
“Of course. I already told you it’s no big deal, right? Listen, I’m sorry to sound rude, but I’ve got to go.”
“Another one of your work things?” she asks.
I grin, even though she can’t see me. “No, today is for me. I’m going on a hike with a girl from work. I’ve got a bottle of wine and everything.”
She shrieks, which is a complete overreaction in my humble opinion, but I guess that’s what sisters tend to do. “You’re going hiking and bringing a bottle of wine?”
“It’s for a picnic,” I say. “We won’t be drinking during the hike. You know that’s not the kind of guy I am.”
My sister laughs. “Hold on, I’m not saying you’re a day drinker, brother.”
“Then what are you saying?”
“Wine? On a date with a girl?”
“It’s not a date. It’s just a hike.”
“Sure.”
I frown. “Do you think she’ll see it as a date, even though it’s not?”
She sighs. “You’re bringing wine. You’ve planned a picnic. That creates expectations. I mean, if Colton would do that for me, well…”
“Colton? As in Maggie’s brother? What’s he got to do with anything?”
“Oh, never mind. It’s completely platonic. Anyway, we were talking about you, not me. Didn’t you have to run or something? You don’t want to keep that girl waiting.”
I laugh. “Yeah, nice try, sis, but there’s no fooling me. You’re into Colton, aren’t you?”
“No. Seriously, no way,” she says, but her voice tells me she’s lying.
I shake my head. It’s so Elle to not want to admit she fancies him. “Fine, keep telling yourself that. But you were right, I do have to run, so you’re getting off the hook easily—for
now,” I add with another laugh. Why is teasing your sister so much fun? “Talk soon?”
“We will. Just not about Colton, okay?”
“Whatever you say. Take care, sis.”
My short conversation with Elle has made me curious. It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. Maybe I should head out there and spent a weekend with her, just like old times. And then I can assess this Colton guy myself. I make a mental note of asking my sister when we can meet and, of course, to check with Ryker to find out when he can give me a weekend off.
I stuff my phone into my pocket and head outside. I promised June I’d pick her up, even though she insisted there was no need, but since she doesn’t know the trail we’re headed to, she caved. It’s all a bit odd if you ask me. She’s so opposed to us meeting at her place, claiming it’s because of her landlord’s weird rules, but that seems far-fetched. I hardly ever see my landlord, let alone have him meet my friends. So what is the big deal? Guess I’ll find out soon enough.
I hop on my bike and soak up some amazing morning sunshine. I’ll never get tired of this weather, that’s for sure.
When I arrive at June’s place, I don’t see her anywhere, but I do see the family she’s renting her room from. The six of them are seated on the grass in the front yard, each of them dressed in white clothes. Soft meditation music flows toward me, and I swear I can smell incense burning.
I lock my bike and walk over to them, unsure of what to do as their eyes are closed. I might as well greet them, right? Walking right past them to ring the doorbell feels a bit rude.
“Hello,” I say. “I’m Caleb.”
The father puts his hand in the air, eyes still closed. “Shhh. Not a sound, please.”
I frown. Not a sound? “I’m sorry, I’ll leave you guys to it,” I say in a whisper.
The dad opens one eye, stares at me intently, and nods while making soft humming noises. “Your aura.”
“Excuse me?” I honestly have no idea what he means.
“It needs cleansing.”
“Cleansing? I don’t think I have the right products for that.”
He smiles then nods again. “You’re not a believer.”
I look up at the house to see if I can make a segue and see the curtains move. A few seconds later, the front door flies open, and June comes running through it. She’s got her shoes in her hands and throws me a panicked look. She tiptoes across the lawn, grabs my hand, and pulls me onto the street.
“My bike…it’s still in your driveway,” I say, but she’s relentless and keeps pulling me farther away from the house.
Her eyes flick to the family on the lawn. “We’ll get that later.” She speaks in hushed tones. It only takes a few moments before we’re out on the sidewalk.
I level her with a look. “Are you going to tell me what this is all about?”
“Not so loud,” she says and pulls me farther along until we come to a stop in front of the neighbor’s home.
“I know it looks weird, but they are having their weekly meditation circle. It’s a family thing they do, and they hate being disturbed. It’s why I don’t like people coming over.”
I raise an eyebrow at her. “That’s not okay, June. You live there. You have every right to do as you please and to invite whomever you want.”
“Not according to rule seventeen of my lease,” she says, her face getting redder by the second. I think part of her realizes how crazy that sounds.
Her hands fall to her sides. “I know what you’re thinking, Caleb, but this is how it is. I don’t want to lose this place. It’s the only decent room I can afford. I know I can probably find something else that’s cheaper, but will that be better? Do I really want to live in a dump full of bugs or share a studio with someone who cooks fajitas at three in the morning? Those questions keep me up at night, you know?”
I smile at her. “Actually, yeah, I know what you mean. To be honest, the reason I don’t have a car isn’t just to avoid traffic jams. I…”
Man, why is it so difficult to admit this? She gives me an encouraging look. “Go on.”
“I can’t afford one. It was either having a car and roommates or living like I do now. The choice seemed easy. And who knows? One day, Ryker might even give me a car.”
She smiles at me. “Thank you.”
“Why?” I ask with a frown.
“For understanding why I put up with my landlord’s unusual demands.”
I shrug and give her a smile. “That’s what friends are for, right?”
She doesn’t answer me but instead gives me a heart-stopping smile. “So, where is this amazing trail you’re going to take me to?”
“Follow me,” I say, and off we go.
9
June
It takes us thirty minutes to reach the trailhead after sharing an Uber. I’ve never been here, but I’m glad Caleb brought me here. The surroundings take my breath away. A narrow path leads to the trailhead, which is so small you would miss it if you didn’t know where to look.
“What’s this?” Caleb asks, pointing at a paper taped to the sign about dogs needing to be leashed on the trail.
I bend down to read it.
Dear hiker, we’re rehearsing for a play around here. If you hear someone screaming, please don’t call the police. We beg this of you. Just let us scream. Don’t. Call. Anyone. Thank you for your cooperation! B & W.
Caleb frowns. “We beg this of you? That doesn’t bode well.”
“Yeah, it’s weird, isn’t it? And what does B & W mean? Burly and Willing to kill?”
He reaches into his pocket and gets his phone out. “Should we call the cops? Right now?”
I shake my head. “Of course not. I agree that this sounds crazy and all, but it could be innocent.”
“‘If you hear screaming’ sounds innocent to you?”
I laugh. “Not really, but this is LA. I’m sure weird stuff like this happens every day around here. We should at least give them the benefit of the doubt.”
He taps his chin with his finger. “You know what? We won’t call anyone. But the moment I hear someone scream, I will. I was looking forward to a fun Saturday morning, and that doesn’t include witnessing a gruesome murder.”
“Would a murderer notify people of possible screaming?” I ask.
“Absolutely. It’s a decoy. You are falling for it, aren’t you?”
I pretend to be offended by that. “Are you saying I’m gullible?”
“I’m saying I’ll protect you if this turns out to be a real thing instead of a twisted joke.”
All I can do is grin at him. I don’t care that I look like a fool. Protecting me sounds nice. I can just imagine him flipping me over his shoulder and sprinting up the trail to bring us both to safety in the event of a threat. Just thinking about his strong arms around me makes me secretly hope there will be some screaming going on.
Caleb motions to the path. “Ready?”
I nod and follow him. We walk in silence at first, taking in the beauty of this trail. The path is flanked by big rocks and patches of sagebrush and milkweed. The sounds of the bustling city are like a faint murmur in the distance. The hum of those faraway noises is almost meditative.
“Ryker told me the painting was done perfectly,” Caleb says, breaking the silence.
“Wow, that’s quite the compliment, coming from him.”
He smiles. “Yeah, I couldn’t have done it alone, though. You helped me a lot. Well, except when you locked yourself in that secret pantry.”
“Oh, don’t remind me,” I say with a groan. “That was stupid.”
He pushes a bramble root out of the way and lets me pass. “I like stupid. How else will we ever learn anything new if we don’t do stupid things?”
“I’ve definitely learned my lesson. Never snoop when you’re in a celebrity’s house.”
We arrive at a small clearing that boasts a stunning view of the surroundings. I stop for a moment to take it all in.
“Car
e for some wine?” Caleb asks.
I spin around, and my heart swells. He’s spreading out a picnic blanket and is uncorking a bottle of wine.
I sit down next to him. The fact that he planned this means he considers this a date, right? Or is bringing a bottle of chilled wine on hikes just part of his routine?
He hands me a glass then opens his backpack again and starts opening plastic containers filled with sandwiches, fresh fruit, and quinoa. He then rips a bag of salty chips open and pours them into a bowl.
“Wow,” is all I manage to say.
He throws me a sheepish smile. “Is it too much?”
I shake my head. “Not at all. This is the kindest gesture I’ve ever received from a man.”
“That can’t be true,” he says with a laugh. “A nice girl like you has probably gone on dozens of picnics before.”
I nod. “Of course. With my girlfriends, to talk about our jobs and relationships and whatnot, but I’ve never been on a picnic with a guy—especially not one who makes his own fruit salad.”
His eyes grow wide as if the concept of what I just told him is hard to believe. “You aren’t kidding.”
He bites his lip in that sexy way of his, making my heart swell some more. He raises his glass while locking eyes with me. “In that case, here’s to your very first picnic with a guy who makes his own fruit salad.”
I clink my glass against his. “And who brings wine to a hike.”
We both sip our drink before digging in to all the yummy stuff Caleb brought with him. It’s nice to be able to connect with someone like this and to spend time together in such a calm way. Every time he laughs, his eyes sparkle with joy. My heart is on the verge of exploding. How is that even possible? We’ve only known each other for a short amount of time, and yet we’ve come to grow so close already. I wonder if he feels the same way but am too afraid to ask him. What if he says no? What if I’m imagining this whole thing, and the electricity I feel between us is nothing more than radiation from our smartphones?
“A strawberry for your thoughts?” Caleb says.