Page 6 of The Monster’s Weakness

“Never.”

She couldn’t help but giggle. “You’re here now.”

“It was a rough day at work and I needed some air. Something led me here.”

It sounded exactly like her situation.

Her nerves and awkwardness were fading which was unusual for her. “What do you do for a living?”

“I deal in contracts. Boring stuff, really. What about you?”

“I was in accounting. I’ve always been good with numbers, so I took a college course a few years ago. Now I have no job and still have the student loan.” She chuckled. “I’m sure I’ll find something else.”

The last thing she wanted to do was sound like a drag and spread her misery. She’d come here for an escape, to step away from reality for a few hours.

“You’re smart. Things will turn around for you.” He beckoned for her drink. She gave it to him and he held it up to get the attention of the bartender. Then he looked at her. “What do you really like to drink?”

“Cranberry juice?”

He told the bartender to take the drink away and bring a cranberry juice. He was so in control that she felt safe and cared for. Her life had been in such upheaval lately, she craved stability and safety more than anything.

“Just curious, do you not drink for that medical issue of yours?”

She had to remember what she’d told him. “No, I just don’t like to drink.”

Gemma had already made herself sound like an unemployed prude. She didn’t need to add her MS diagnosis to the list of reasons to avoid her.

“I just realized I haven’t introduced myself. My name’s Caleb.” He held out his hand, which seemed overly formal.

“I’m Gemma.” She took his hand but instead of shaking it, he brought it to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. He made eye contact the entire time which felt oddly intimate. She may be twenty-six but she had no experience with men. Like none at all. How was she supposed to react? And were butterflies in her stomach a normal reaction?

“I love your name, Gemma.” Her name never sounded like that when anyone else said it. He made it sound sexy as hell. He had a very slight accent which did her name justice.

“Thanks.” The awkwardness was creeping back in. “So, what usually happens now?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s my fault for coming to a bar, but you need to know I’m not looking to get picked up for a one-night stand or anything like that.” Her face felt hotter than a poker.

He leaned back slightly, a smirk on his face.

“Sounds serious. Did your high school gym teacher warn you about creeps wanting to get into your pants?”

She nearly spit out her cranberry juice. “Yes! Most definitely.”

They both laughed together.

Once they’d settled down, his face took on a much more serious expression. “I can assure you, I’m not looking for a one-nighter with you. But I’m not completely innocent.”

“Oh?”

“I’m very interested in you, in all the most honorable ways, I promise.”

“I want to believe you,” she said.

They talked for hours. He bought her some French fries that they shared and another juice. It was like she’d known Caleb her entire life. She felt like she could trust him with any secret, not that she was that naïve. It just felt really good to connect and be heard.

He was a businessman and didn’t have any family. He was older than her, but she didn’t care about age. She didn’t share too much about herself, especially her diagnosis.